Favorite Free EMDR and Trauma Resources

Trauma is complex.  The treatment of trauma is complex. 
 
And, the treatment of trauma is definitely something you do not become competent in by taking one day long course or reading one text book, although that is a fantastic start!  

Most often the key ingredients to ethically providing trauma treatment, especially with young people, is extensive training, supervision/consultation, and practice. 
 
And after sitting down and doing the hard work to get trained...well...sometimes it takes a while for all this knowledge to digest and integrate into your practice.  Sometimes you can get out of an intensive training and although you have the binder and know the steps it can feel pretty overwhelming. Sometimes you feel paralyzed and don’t know how to exactly put it all into action. 
 
More often than not it takes learning the theory, modality, or technique from several different people in several different ways for us to really develop a deeper understanding.
 
This can be the way you hear it from your trainer, how it is talked about in a consultation group, or reading an article, text, or book about the topic.  It can also be hearing the information on a podcast, taking in a blog, or watching a YouTube video - all with vetted sources of course! 
 
Each of these pieces gives us a clearer and more comprehensive picture about what are the most effective ways to treat trauma, the neuroscience behind it all, and how to handle all the stumbling points and road blocks along the way. 
 
I am a huge fan of making sure you are taking in quality training for trauma and at the same time supplementing that with continued learning in other ways! Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of my most favorite ways to treat trauma, usually in combination with Child Centered Play Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy! 
 
I wanted to help you take some of the load off and drop my 9 favorite free resources that I love that have to do with all things EMDR and trauma! So, if you have a free moment between clients, in your car, at the gym...or wherever don’t wait to dive into these excellent resources!
 
Ana Gomez 
Ana M Gomez, MC, LPC is an amazing EMDR consultant, trainer, Play Therapist, and author specializing in working with kids with complex trauma and dissociation. She is also the founder of the Agate Institute. She has a wealth of free resources HERE and HERE including free story downloads and multiple VoC / SUDS scaling sheets! 
 
Dr. Jamie Marich 
Dr. Marich Ph.D., LPCC-S, LICDC-CS, REAT, RYT-500, RMT is an EMDR consultant and trainer for EMDRIA, author, and owner of the Institute for Creative Mindfulness. Her depth of knowledge and expertise is amazing and  HERE and HERE she has a ton of generous free resources such as EMDR demonstration videos, resources for dissociation and addiction, mindful living coping skills and so much more. You can also check out her blog HERE and YouTube channel HERE! 
 
Jackie Flynn 
Jackie Flynn MPA, EdS, LMHC, RPT is a EMDR consultant and trainer as well as a Play Therapist! She has so many invaluable resources on her website including free downloads for the 8 phases of EMDR HERE and she has a ton of amazing videos for EMDR and Play Therapy on her YouTube channel HERE! 
 
Kambria Evans 
Kambria Evans, LMFT and EMDR Consultant has an amazing YouTube channel called Zero Disturbance HERE that takes you through a review and amplification of many of the important topics in EMDR like how to explain EMDR to clients, how to treatment plan, and how to pick the right target.  She also has additional free resources HERE! 
 
Global Childhood EMDR Alliance 
The Global Childhood EMDR Alliance was formed in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to help support children with trauma globally. Check out the founding members HERE. They have many blogs and videos as well as resources for children  and adolescents. 
 
Notice That Podcast 
Jennifer Savage, LPC and Melissa Sundwall, LPC - both EMDR consultants and trainers along with Bridger Falkentien, PLPC teamed up to create an AMAZING podcast on EMDR and trauma called Notice That.   It is seriously like a refresher of basic training - it confirms the things you have learned along with deep dives into special topics.  And they break it down in a way that is digestible and relatable! They have even developed a separate podcast designed just for EMDR clients! 
 
Robyn Gobble 
Robyn Gobble, LMSW is a trauma therapist who specializes in helping support parents parenting children with trauma. She is EMDR certified and a Play Therapist!  Although not EMDR specific, her blog is FULL of amazing resources and insight on trauma, parenting, and attachment - check it out HERE! She also has a fantastic free video series on Trauma, Memories, and Behaviors and Regulation, Connection, and Felt Safety. She also has a ton of other free resources HERE!   These are excellent resources for you as a therapist as well as parents! And last but certainly not least she has a wonderful podcast called Parenting After Trauma.  
 
Justin Sunseri
Justin Sunseri, LMFT is a master in all things polyvagal theory.  This is one of my favorite ways to conceptualize and think about trauma. Justin has a podcast called Stuck Not Broken that does a deep dive into polyvagal theory! You can check out his blog HERE, free polyvagal theory worksheets and handouts HERE, and get a crash course in polyvagal theory HERE.
 
Irene Lyon 
Irene Lyon MSc is a nervous system specialist and somatic neuroplasticity expert. She is a wealth of information about the nervous system, trauma, and polyvagal theory!  You can check out her blog HERE and Youtube channel HERE! She also has a free resource center HERE! 
 
Facebook Groups 
 
Here are some Facebook groups that you might consider joining! 

• Play Therapy and EMDR Conversations 
• EMDR With Kids 
• Playful EMDR 
• Global Child EMDR Alliance 
• New Wave: Offering Online EMDR in a Safe and Ethical Way 
• EMDR Therapist Resources 

 
What about you?  What are your favorite free trauma resources? Share the love and drop a link below! 

Looking for something a little more? Check out my training on Playing Through Phase 2: Combining Bibliotherapy and Play Therapy for Phase 2 of EMDR. 

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