EMDR & Play Therapy: A Multimodal Approach for Children

Description

EMDR therapy is a powerful evidence-based approach for children. However, the use of EMDR therapy procedural steps require that we make them developmentally appropriate for children. This session will address the integration between EMDR therapy and play in the sand tray. Sandtray based EMDR therapy is grounded on Gomez’ Multimodal approach to EMDR therapy where movement, dance, play therapy, Sandtray, expressive arts, parts work, polyvagal focused strategies, and parent child interventions, among others are masterfully integrated into the eight phases of EMDR therapy. The work to understand and create the union between EMDR, play therapy and Sandtray therapy is the product of 20 years of dedication and work. This session will provide an overview of initial phases of treatment as well as the various levels of distance offered by Sandtray work within EMDR therapy structure.

Speaker

Ana M. Gómez, MC, LPC, is the founder and director of the AGATE Institute in Phoenix, AZ. She is a world-renowned expert on the treatment of complex trauma, intergenerational trauma and dissociation and the use of EMDR therapy and adjunct approaches with children and adolescents. She is a psychotherapist with over 25 years of clinical experience and an EMDR Trainer of Trainers. Ana has led workshops and keynote presentations in five continents and over 20 countries and is the author of EMDR Therapy and Adjunct Approaches with Children: Complex Trauma, Attachment and Dissociation and several children’s books, book chapters and articles on the use of EMDR therapy, dissociation, emotional awareness and literacy.

Ana has developed numerous training programs and protocols that include the EMDR-Sandtray Protocol and The Systemic, EMDR-Attachment Informed Program to Heal Intergenerational Trauma & Repair the Parent-Child Attachment Bond.

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial: Ana Gómez maintains a private practice, is the founder, trainer, and director of AGATE Institute, and is an EMDRIA approved consultant and training provider. She receives royalties as a published author. Ana Gómez receives a speaking honorarium, recording, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Ana Gómez has no relevant non-financial relationships.

Objectives

1. Demonstrate the three levels of distance offered by Sandtray work within EMDR therapy.
2. Determine play therapy and Sandtray strategies during initial phases of EMDR treatment to stabilize and build capacities.
3. Design Sandtray and play therapy strategies during processing phases of EMDR therapy to work with blocked processing.
4. Evaluate and describe the multimodal approach to EMDR therapy with children and their parents where EMDR-Sandtray play therapy is rooted and founded.

Outline

• 3 Levels of Distance Using EMDR Therapy and Sandtray
• Strategies for Initial and Processing Phases of EMDR Treatment
• Extensive Lens to View Client’s Clinical Landscape
• Treatment Planning Specific Activities

• • Play, Movement, Expressive Arts and Polyvagal

Target Audience

• Counselors
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Mental Health Clinicians
• Play Therapists
• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• School Counselors
• Social Workers