Caught between cultures: EMDR with bicultural clients with complex trauma

According to a 2020 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry, the longer immigrants stay in the US, the higher their risk of psychiatric disorders. The pressure to acculturate to the majority culture while still maintaining connection to their culture of origin creates an internal tug of war. The desire to belong is universal, yet belonging can be complicated when you are caught between two cultures. Many first-generation Westerners are seeking out trauma focused therapies like EMDR, but EMDR therapists must be equipped with cultural competency to help these bicultural populations to heal. This presentation will address how to improve case conceptualization by considering the unique challenges first-generation Westerners face, how to understand the impact of intergenerational trauma on these populations from an AIP perspective, and how to adapt cognitive interweaves, resourcing, and other elements of the 8 phases to meet the needs of bicultural clients.

Conference

English

Tewari, N. (2023, August). Caught between cultures: EMDR with bicultural clients with complex trauma. Presentation at the at the 28th EMDR International Association Conference, Arlington, VA