Play-Integrated EMDR

This two-day training on Play-Integrated EMDR will explore how to combine the therapeutic powers of play with EMDR’s 8 phases to enhance trauma treatment for clients. Participants will learn practical techniques for integrating play therapy tools, such as sandtray, collage, puppets, board games, and art, into each phase of EMDR. The training will include live demonstrations, hands-on practice, and case discussions to ensure clinicians leave with the skills and confidence to implement Play-Integrated EMDR in their work. The intimate, small-group setting allows for personalized feedback and in-depth learning.

Objectives: 

• Integrate Play Therapy into each phase of the EMDR protocol, from preparation to re-evaluation, ensuring a cohesive and supportive therapeutic process.
• Learn strategies to create a safe and emotionally regulated environment using Sandtray therapy, incorporating playful and symbolic elements to help clients manage distress and maintain stability during EMDR sessions.
• Apply play therapy techniques for the development and installation of positive resources in Phase 2, helping clients build internal strengths and coping mechanisms that can be utilized throughout the EMDR process.
• Explore methods for using Play Therapy and Sandtray to identify and target traumatic memories in EMDR phase 3 of preparation.
• Develop skills to help clients create and interpret narratives within the Sandtray and collage, using the playful, symbolic elements to uncover and process underlying emotions and trauma using creative bilateral stimulation.
• Discover how to incorporate playful techniques, such as role-playing and storytelling to enhance engagement and facilitate desensitization through symbolic representation and bilateral stimulation, enhancing the EMDR process in phase 4.
• Gain skills in guiding clients to process and reprocess traumatic memories within the Sandtray, using EMDR techniques to transform negative cognitions and emotional responses into adaptive, positive ones in EMDR phase 5.
• Discover creative ways to integrate body-focused play techniques to help children identify and release stored physical tension or sensations related to trauma by scanning the body in EMDR phase 6.
• Practice play integrated techniques during EMDR’s closure  phase 7, to return to a state of equilibrium and during EMDR’s re-evaluation phase 8, during the following week to confirm reduction of distress and installation of the positive cognition.
• Able to effectively integrate Play-Integrated EMDR into own practice by applying case conceptualization skills to tailor interventions based on clients’ individual needs and trauma histories.

Light lunch and snacks will be provided.

You can bring your lunch if food allergies/restrictions are a concern.

Over 25 restaurants in a 5 minute radius.

Two day workshop - Friday, Jan. 17th & Saturday, Jan. 18th, 2025

12 In Person APT and Texas Board of Examiners CE's

EMDR CE's pending approval

No virtual recording available.

Level - Intermediate to Advance

Very experiential training!