The use of EMDR with infants

Often it is said that traumatization in the preverbal period cannot be treated. Doctors, psychologists, police officers tell parents to wait until the child is older, so it can talk about it. In this presentation we will demonstrate the contrary. That EMDR is a very useful method for processing preverbal traumatic memories in infants. We will start by explaining how to structure the EMDR sessions, illustrated by videotapes of boy (nearly three) and his parents who was traumatized by medical treatments starting in the first months of his life. We will explain how to access and activate the traumatic memories, how to help the child during desensitization by timing and dosing stimuli, and how to determine whether the traumatic memory is completely processed. Then we will illustrate the devastating consequences on the development of an infant of preverbal traumatization. These consequences usually are underestimated by parents, pediatricians and even psychologist. As these children get older, their development is more and more disturbed and they behave like children with ADHD of Autistic disorders, and sometimes even get diagnosed. After EMDR these infants start to recover and grow rapidly in emotional en social development and the use of play. Their oppositional behavior changes in daily life activities as changing a diaper, brushing teeth, going to bed and changing clothes. They become less resistant. Parents see that the presumed characteristics of their child change and looking back they recognize those as symptoms of traumatization. This is even clearer with children who are traumatized by medical treatment. They are usually referred to EMDR therapist because of their resistant behavior in the hospital which makes medical treatment impossible. The urgent requirement of medical care is often the main reason for staking treatment. The realization of the impact of the medical treatment on their child is very painful for the parents. Nowadays parents are often asked to assist during these treatments and they feel as perpetrators. If necessary we also offer parents EMDR. New and unique: The use of EMDR in infants is quite unique because it requires knowledge of infant psychiatry and traumatization and EMDR It is a very complicated but rewarding treatment. The aspect of traumatization and the use of EMDR in medical treatment is very underestimated The material in this workshop is new and unique for the use of EMDR in these children. Learning objectives: - Participant will learn the basic tenants of the assessment of preverbal traumatization. - Participant will learn the basic tenants of the assessment of preverbal medical traumatization, which is very much underestimated. - Participant will learn how to access and activate the traumatic memories in infants and how to help the child during desensitization by timing and dosing stimuli. -Participant will learn how to determine whether the traumatic memory is completely processed in these infants.

Conference

English

M. Went
Arianne L. Struik

Went, M., & Struik, A. L. (2010, June). The use of EMDR with infants. Presentation at the 11th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Hamburg, Germany