"Splatting" out the trauma with movement in EMDR processing

This chapter presents a play-based intervention that addresses the challenge of providing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to early elementary school–aged boys. Their energy level, restlessness, and need to engage physically can at times get in the way of reprocessing a traumatic memory. Splatting Out the Trauma has built in resourcing, social engagement, and organic trauma response completion that can help facilitate the desensitization and installation phases of EMDR. Children with higher energy levels often need interventions that are shorter in time and are more hands-on to engage them physically. Splatting Out the Trauma is introduced during Phase 3, assessment. The child is asked to draw a picture of the worst part of the identified memory to be processed. There are some considerations and possible adjustments that may need to be made with this intervention depending on the client's needs and abilities.

Book Section

English

Alice Stricklin

Stricklin, A. (2021). "Splatting" out the trauma with movement in EMDR processing. In Ann Beckley-Forest and Annie Monaco (Eds.), EMDR With Children in the Play Therapy Room: An Integrated Approach (pp. 379-392). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company. doi:10.1891/9780826175939.0017