EMDR for Kids

Just like EMDR for adults, EMDR can be a powerful tool to help kids move past & process the effects of trauma on the brain & body. EMDR helps kids to make "yucky" or difficult experiences smaller, creating space for positive feelings and experiences. 

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EMDR has a big name- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing- but doesn't have to be a big ordeal in therapy! EMDR for kids can look the same as for adults - bi-lateral tapping or eye movements - or, it can be a lot of other, fun ways, too! This might look like using a balance board in session, creating a bi-lateral obstacle course, or moving & dancing side-to-side.

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This bi-lateral stimulation is something we all do- just like our eyes moving back and forth in REM sleep- but with certain parts of a memory or brain network "lit up" in a safe way with a therapist, we can make dramatic shifts in how trauma is felt, held, and experienced in the body. 

If your child has experienced a recent trauma, or is holding a negative belief about themselves based on a past experience, EMDR may be appropriate for them. Our clinicians are trained in playful EMDR and may be able to help your child make a dramatic shift in their experience of the world. Don't hesitate to reach out today for a consultation to see if EMDR may be helpful.