Star wars therapy: Integrating EMDR with children

EMDR with children can be clinically challenging. Traditional protocols are difficult to follow, especially with younger children. Unique to this approach, Star Wars therapy allows children to produce their own bilateral stimulation while the therapist installs verbal cognitive interweaves. Star Wars therapy facilitates the integration of resource installations; it provides children with an exciting venue to explore schemas and ego states resulting form trauma, abuse and neglect. Star Wars play therapy is a practical skill set for clinicians interested in integrating EMDR with children. Star Wars is unique in its immediate accessibility for children. The rich story line it provides them with accessible themes of good and evil, betrayal, injustice, universal hierarchy, and connectedness with “the force:’ the main characters act as primary archetypes. The body of this work is dived into two mains sections. The first section outlines Star Wars Play Therapy from a theoretical standpoint. The goal is to address the neurobiological, psychological, and attachment aspects which are the basis for treatment. The second reaction addresses the technique form a practical perspective. A complete clinical protocol is outlines, from conceptualization to execution of play, to the integration of EMDR instillations and trauma targeting.

Conference

English

Stephen Thaxton

Thaxton, S. (2007, June). Star wars therapy: Integrating EMDR with children. Presentation at the 8th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Paris, France