EMDR techniques to help children and teens tame the worry monster

The number of children and teens struggling with symptoms of stress and anxiety disorders is increasing at an alarming rate. This workshop will discuss some causes for the increase in stress and anxiety disorders among children and teens. An introduction to the Triune Brain Theory and brief explanation of the implications of the changes on the anxious child or teenage brain will be highlighted. Next, effective exercises to calm the body and rewire the brain will be introduced. Creating new neural pathways, through the use of Positive Resource Building utilizing EMDR, will also be taught. Looking specifically at anxiety and how to target it when using EMDR, will also be explored. The workshop will conclude by introducing how to shrink the “Worry Monster” using an EMDR protocol.

Learning objectives:
1.  Describe the Triune Brain Theory and how trauma rewires the brain to create heightened levels of anxiety and stress. 2.  Demonstrate 5 exercises which help calm the stress response within the body.
3  .List 5 “Positive Resources ”which when combined with EMDR anchor calm feelings in the brain/body and rewire the brain.
4.  Discuss how to chose appropriate targets for EMDR processing with anxious kids.
5.  Describe how to create a “Worry Monster” for processing anxiety with EMDR.

Conference

English

Jan Yordy

Yordy, J. (2012, April). EMDR techniques to help children and teens tame the worry monster. Presentation at the EMDR Canada Annual Conference, Montreal, QC