What is EMDR?

EMDR is internationally widely used and recommended in international guidelines as one of the evidence-based treatments for traumatized children with PTSD. EMDR can be used for consequences of single event trauma, but also for chronic traumatization like domestic violence, (sexual) abuse, neglect, drug- and alcohol-abuse by parents, attachment-issues, parents with mental health issues and medical trauma. EMDR can be used when bad memories from the past are linked to present symptoms, like depression, anxiety or a negative self-image. Since EMDR requires very little verbal abilities, it can be used also for (Indigenous) children for whom English is a second language, children with an intellectual disability, FASD and for young children (0-6).

The use of EMDR with children

EMDR is an evidence-based treatment for children, however therapists who have been trained in EMDR for adults lack information on adaptations, necessary for using EMDR with children. In the Netherlands, the Dutch Child & Adolescent Trainers Carlijn de Roos and Renee Beer developed these adaptations into child level l trainings, competency-based consultation and child level ll trainings. They have trained thousands of Child Therapists since 2000. After having organized eight successful EMDR Child trainings in Australia and New Zealand, the Institute for Chronically Traumatized Children (ICTC) is organizing another online EMDR Child level I training with Carlijn de Roos.

Program EMDR Child Training

In this training program of four half days, Carlijn de Roos provides a comprehensive overview of providing EMDR to children including the most recent research. She will then discuss all the modifications to the standard EMDR-protocol for all age groups (0-3, 4-5, 6-11, 12-18) and the treatment of preverbal trauma, illustrated with video fragments. Participants will receive the Child EMDR Protocol which contains scripts for all age groups and practice the use in roleplay and with vignettes. After this training therapists will be able and (hopefully) confident enough to use EMDR with children of all ages with PTSD related symptoms. This training is EMDRAA, EMDRNZ and EMDR-Europe accredited. EMDR-consultation by an accredited EMDR Child Consultant afterwards for over a period of a year is strongly recommended to build on skills and confidence in dealing with complex situations.

Applicants

Participants from Australia or New Zealand who have completed EMDR Adults level I or weekend I at a minimum and work with children.

Complex cases and stabilization

For the use of EMDR within a phased treatment with complex traumatized and dissociative children it is recommended to do the home study workshop Treating Chronically Traumatized Children with the Sleeping Dogs method or the online workshop Treating Chronically Traumatized Children with the Sleeping Dogs method 6-7 Febr 2025. In this workshop you will learn how to prepare children for EMDR when they are unwilling or unable to engage in EMDR therapy.