Delivering EMDR within culturally-sensitive contexts

When using EMDR with clients from very different cultural backgrounds, unexpected surprises may arise, leaving us unsure what to do next. This can happen when we're attached to (conscious or unconscious) cultural stereotypes, prejudice, or bias. By becoming culturally aware and sensitive, we can decrease the risk of surprises and navigate them skillfully when they do arise. Effective EMDR starts with accurate case conceptualization. This workshop will highlight three types of wounding clients endure: trauma wounding, attachment wounding, and loss wounding. Within these three categories, clients can also have cultural wounding. The implications of these three categories when planning EMDR treatment, are explored. This workshop will provide many real stories of doing EMDR with culturally diverse clients--like child soldiers, deaf clients, torture victims, asylum seekers, migrants, honor-based violence survivors, and survivors of ethnic cleansing. It will describe many unusual EMDR modifications needed to meet unique trauma processing needs.

Conference

English

Susan Smith-Darker

Darker-Smith, S. (2023, August). Delivering EMDR within culturally-sensitive contexts. Presentation at the at the 28th EMDR International Association Conference, Arlington, VA