EMDR Therapy

What is EMDR Therapy for Children?

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy helps people, both adults and children, process and heal from fears, phobias and traumatic memories. EMDR is an evidence-based Gold Standard treatment for PTSD. EMDR is very effective for people who have witnessed or experienced sexual abuse, domestic violence, a car accident or any other traumatic event.

Delivered in a fun, child-friendly manner, EMDR can bring children relief from trauma symptoms including flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, fear, anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, anger, social withdrawal and more.

The technique involves using bilateral stimulation (employing both hemispheres of the brain) by moving the eyes, tapping of hands or feet, or using audio cues while recalling distressing experiences. The goal of EMDR is to aid in recovery from trauma caused by painful or frightening life events.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require in-depth discussions of the traumatic experience. Instead, it focuses on shifting the emotions, thoughts and behaviours linked to the trauma. This approach supports the brain’s natural healing process and is ideal for children as their brain will naturally make sense of the event at their own developmental level.

When children engage in EMDR therapy, they access memories of a traumatic event in very specific ways. Combined with eye movements and guided instructions, accessing those memories in a safe supported way helps them reprocess what they remember from the negative event. Negative thoughts they hold about themself, others and the world as a result of the traumatic event can be shifted to support more helpful, positive thoughts.

Benefits of EMDR for children:

1. Trauma Processing: EMDR helps children process traumatic memories, reducing their emotional intensity and facilitating healing from past experiences.
2. Emotional Regulation: Through the EMDR process, children learn to manage and regulate their emotions more effectively, leading to improved coping strategies and positive behavioural change.
3. Reduced Anxiety and Depression: EMDR can significantly decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression in children, helping them feel calmer, braver and more secure.
4. Improved Self-Esteem: As children work through their trauma and negative beliefs, they often experience a boost in their self-esteem and their sense of self-worth.
5. Enhanced Resilience: EMDR fosters resilience by equipping children with tools to face future challenges, promoting a greater sense of confidence and adaptability.

EMDR for children is a powerful process that helps “repair” the emotional impact of the trauma, so that recalling the event no longer feels overwhelming and the emotions associated with the trauma memory become easier to manage. In short, EMDR helps take the ‘sting’ out of the traumatic memory for children.