TraumaPlay and EMDR: Integration and nuance in holding hard stories

TraumaPlay is a flexible, sequential, play therapy model designed for treating traumatized and attachment-disturbed children and teens. An integration of TraumaPlay and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) functions as a one–two power punch combination as the power of play is recognized as the child's most natural form of adaptive information processing and encourages the full-body somatic experiencing of new neurophysiological states while desensitizing and reprocessing hard things. The overarching goals of TraumaPlay include leaching the emotional toxicity out of clients' traumatic experiences, creating a more coherent narrative of these life events, and deepening relational resources. Getting through the child client's layers of protection requires developmental sensitivity, titration, and creativity. Unlocking a traumatized child's healing may take more than one key, so pairing TraumaPlay and EMDR together can maximize the effectiveness of each. TraumaPlay therapists enhance safety and security through both nondirective play therapy methods and directive play therapy interventions.

Book Section

English

Paris Goodyear-Brown
Eleah Hyatt

Goodyear-Brown, P., & Hyatt, E. (2021). TraumaPlay and EMDR: Integration and nuance in holding hard stories.  In Ann Beckley-Forest and Annie Monaco (Eds.), EMDR With Children in the Play Therapy Room: An Integrated Approach (33-74). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company. doi:10.1891/9780826175939.0003