Phase 2

Want to add more tools to your toolbox for Phase 2 of EMDR?

You know the EMDR protocol and took a basic training, but when it comes to adapting the standard protocol for adults (with lots of sitting and some pretty technical questions) to children, you don’t know where to start.

You are looking for more concrete ways to integrate Play Therapy and EMDR in the Preparation phase in a way that is engaging where kids are excited and want to participate.

You also are tired of struggling with Phase 3 Assessment where kids don’t really know how to find their Negative Cognitions or Positive Cognitions and struggle to identify feelings or body sensations. By the time you get it all together their dual awareness is lost, they're frustrated, or want to move on. Can't we just play Uno?

You get blank stares, short answers, frustrated sighing, and a lot of confusion. You’re not sure the NC is “right”, they tell you “nothing” came up, and they have no idea what you mean when you say "notice that".

Maybe they are just telling you what you want to hear so they can be done with EMDR.

In short, it leaves you feeling overwhelmed and hesitant, like you have all the pieces but aren’t quite sure how to put them together. And to be honest...you’re not even sure if you should do EMDR with kids or if it’s working.

Now, imagine sitting down for an EMDR session with clients who:

are engaged and excited to do EMDR
have an age appropriate understanding of just what exactly this “EMDR thing” is
have a wide enough window of tolerance to tolerate the distress of trauma work
can engage in multiple forms of state change
have multiple creative resources
are a pro at scaling questions
know exactly what a Negative and Positive Cognition is
have a wide emotional vocabulary
are able to connect with their bodies and identify sensations
know exactly what you are talking about when you say “notice that”
can tell you exactly “what came up” between sets

What difference would that make in your practice? With your clients that are on your caseload now? What healing could happen?

What would it be like for you to take your child EMDR practice from a process that is cumbersome and overwhelming to seamless, confident, and prepared?

In the course Playing Through Phase 2: Combining Play Therapy and Bibliotherapy for Phase 2 of EMDR you will be introduced to 14 books and paired directive Play Therapy activities and learn exactly how to integrate directive Play Therapy techniques and Bibliotherapy to help support all of the components in the Preparation Phase of EMDR.

When you “play through Phase 2” children are more engaged with the process, are better able to stay in their window of tolerance when approaching trauma work, increase comfort with the tools, techniques, and toys used in the later phases of EMDR, and they even have FUN doing it!

All of this will help you with developing a trusting relationship and solid foundation for effective phases 3-8.

You also won’t walk away empty handed. Inside the course you get 9 printable handouts and worksheets to use with your clients in your practice tomorrow! These handouts and worksheets can pair with the books you learn in the course OR as a stand alone intervention for:

Identifying somatic sensations 
Creating resources
Empowerment
Feeling identification
Working to identify cognitions including Negative Cognitions and Positive Cognitions
Emotional regulation skills

Want to learn more? Check out the details below!

CE Information:
This course is approved for 3.5 APT Non-Contact hours by Meehan Mental Health Services (APT Approved Provider 19-580). Meehan Mental Health Services is an EMDRIA EC Provider (#21013). Approved for 3.5 EMDRIA Credits, #21013-DL01. Training is taught by Ann Meehan, MS, LPCC, RPT-S.

Learning Objectives:

Describe how Play Therapy and Bibliotherapy can be combined for use in Phase 2 and Resourcing for EMDR and why it is effective.
Demonstrate at least 10 differences in and adaptations for EMDR therapy with children versus adult population.
Identify and describe at least 14 books and directive Play Therapy techniques that can be used in Phase 2 of EMDR.

Course Format: Train when it works for you! This course is a pre-recorded online self paced course where the modules are broken up into smaller digestible chunks that can be completed during a client cancellation, on the weekends, early in the morning, late at night - whenever! You can login at your own pace, re-watch content, and have unlimited access to the course. This course is designated "Non-Contact" by the Association for Play Therapy.

Who should attend: This program is only open to clinicians who are fully trained in EMDR through an EMDRIA basic training. Material is appropriate for beginning to advanced level Play therapists who want to incorporate Play Therapy into their EMDR practice.

Cost: $87.00

Course Presenter

Hi! I'm Ann - or formally Ann Meehan, MS, LPCC, RPT-S, EMDRIA Consultant. I work as a private practice therapist in the north woods of Minnesota and specialize in working with young people ages 3 and up using Play Therapy and EMDR. I have a library of trainings and run The Playful Therapist Blog. Overall I am passionate about helping other therapists grow into competent and confident Play Therapists, trauma therapists, and child and adolescent therapists.

Please email [email protected] with questions or concerns.

Play Therapy Credit may not be awarded to non-mental health professionals. There are no refunds for this recorded course. Meehan Mental Health Services maintains responsibility for this program and its content in accordance with EMDRIA requirements. The program site is ADA compliant. Please contact Ann Meehan at [email protected] if special accommodations are required. See Meehan Mental Health Services full policies and procedures for online and in person trainings here