Understanding EMDR for Children: A Guide for Parents
Parenting comes with many challenges, and when your child has experienced trauma, finding the right support can feel overwhelming. One evidence-based therapy that has shown significant promise for children dealing with traumatic memories is Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). This blog will help you understand what EMDR is, how it works, and what you can do as a parent to support your child through this healing process.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation, typically through eye movements. This dual focus is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion tied to traumatic memories. In simpler terms, EMDR helps rewire the brain's response to these memories, making them less distressing over time.
Extensively researched and proven effective, EMDR therapy has helped millions of people worldwide recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Ongoing research supports its positive outcomes for various disorders, including anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences (Maxfield, 2019). Remarkably, EMDR has even shown to be superior to anti-depressant medications in trauma treatment (Van der Kolk et al., 2007).
How Does EMDR Work?
The therapy involves two main stages: Preparation and Processing.
Stage 1: Preparation
In the preparation stage, the goal is to help your child feel safe and regulated. This means ensuring they have a secure attachment, usually with a parent, and a sense of safety with the therapist.
Stage 2: Processing
Once a solid foundation of safety and regulation is established, the processing stage begins. This involves helping the child explore and make sense of traumatic events. The therapist might use storytelling or guided tasks like eye movements to achieve this.
What happens during processing?
- Storytelling or Eye Movements: The therapist guides the child in recalling traumatic memories while performing specific tasks, such as following a moving object with their eyes. This helps the brain reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional impact.
- Forming New Thoughts: The goal is to help the child develop healthier thoughts about themselves and their world. For example, a child who felt powerless during a traumatic event might come to see themselves as strong and capable.
Why EMDR?
Children often struggle to articulate their feelings and experiences, making traditional talk therapy challenging. EMDR allows them to process trauma in a non-verbal, guided way, making it particularly effective for young minds. The therapy often weaves in and out of preparation and processing, depending on your child's needs and their ability to tolerate the processing stage.
Your Role as a Parent
- Stay Regulated: If you attend therapy sessions with your child, it's crucial to stay calm and within your own "window of tolerance." This might mean seeking your own therapy to stay one step ahead of your child's processing.
- Be Present: Your presence can provide a sense of safety, love, and connection. Be available to assist in the session if needed to help your child regulate their emotions.
- Create Opportunities for Connection: After a session, spend quality time together. Activities like a family movie night or playing at the park can reinforce the sense of safety and connection.
Your involvement is crucial in the EMDR process. By staying regulated, being present, and creating opportunities for connection, you provide the emotional support your child needs to heal. Remember, sometimes this means taking care of your own mental health first, so you can be the best support for your child.
Where can I get more Information?
EMDR offers a structured yet flexible approach to help children heal from traumatic experiences. By understanding the process and knowing how to support your child, you can play an active role in their journey towards emotional well-being.
For more detailed information and resources, download our comprehensive handout on EMDR for parents here.
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