Play therapy-supported EMDR for culturally based trauma in adoption

Out of home placement and adoption is sometimes seen as a solution to child maltreatment but becomes its own impactful and potentially adverse life event. Child EMDR therapists are on the front lines of attempts to bring about healing for children in foster and adoptive family constellations. In these families, additional issues related to racial and cultural differences and related attachment dynamics are of critical importance but may not be centered by the family or even the therapist. We will bring into focus the importance of a multifaceted case formulation including robust consideration of cultural dislocation and race-based adversity, microaggressions, and their impact on attachment trauma. We will also use a play therapy-supported EMDR framework to share dynamic, embodied and play-based enhancements throughout the 8 phases of EMDR, and will include 2 extended case examples and experiential activities to embrace a fully anti-racist EMDR therapy for children impacted by adoption.

Conference

English

Ann Beckley-Forest
Renata Huewitt

Beckley-Forest, A., & Huewitt, R. (2023, August). Play therapy-supported EMDR for culturally based trauma in adoption. Presentation at the at the 28th EMDR International Association Conference, Arlington, VA