Using EMDR with Children

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was originally developed to work with adults suffering from PTSD or a history of trauma. It has been used to great effect in this arena; many adults have reaped the benefits of reprocessing painful memories and gained a more balanced outlook on their lives. So what about using the same techniques with children? Most kids get stuck in their own development, even in very small ways. Children, even from happy healthy families, will experience frightening or humiliating events. Getting bullied at school. Seeing a scary movie and developing an intense fear. Being humiliated in the classroom or on the soccer field. Those experiences can then cause a child to develop negative beliefs about themselves: "I'm no good at math; I can't make friends; I freeze under pressure; I'm not safe." We, as adults, can often identify these obstacles...kids, on the other hand, don't yet have that foresight. But the great advantage for kids is that they are much less defended than adults; they haven't had years to set these patterns in stone; they are able to reprocess these beliefs much more quickly than most adults. Result: short-term therapy! Children who have experienced trauma, such as suffering or witnessing abuse, parental death, even divorce or separation, can make huge gains with EMDR. Instances like these may take longer to process than a case of low self-esteem; it may take longer for a child to establish a feeling of trust and safety with a therapist if he or she has experienced a major trauma. Still, children will usually respond to EMDR therapy much more rapidly than most adults. Check out this video about EMDR therapy with children: http://www.emdrinaction.com/video/does-emdr-work-children. For more information about EMDR therapy or specific child therapy issues, visit my website at www.kellymcnair.com.