Overcoming children’s barriers to engage in EMDR with the sleeping dogs method
Description
Background and aims
Using EMDR With chronically traumatized children can be challenging. They can struggle with severe symptoms.There are so many issues, it is difficult to know where to start and when they are stabilized enough to start EMDR processing.
Methods
This presentation provides an outline of the Sleeping Dogs method1 which is used to prepare and engage children in EMDR therapy. With the Sleeping Dogs Tool, therapists make a structured analysis of the child’s potential barriers by answering the nineteen questions reflecting different barriers, such as having a secret, being scared of parent’s reaction, not having support, shame, guilt and self-hatred. Interventions focused on overcoming these specific barriers, so these children can participate in EMDR therapy. Key elements are psychoeducation with the use of metaphors, increasing the child’s support system, and collaboration with the child’s network, the child’s biological family and child protection services. The Sleeping Dogs method can also be used for adults with an intellectual disability or children with language difficulties.
Results
The use of the Sleeping Dogs method is illustrated with case examples and video and audio fragments.
Conclusions
With the Sleeping Dogs method to engage children, who are unwilling or unable to discuss their trauma, in EMDR therapy. The research data of a pilot study show this is a promising and relatively short method.
Abstract topic
Overcoming children’s barriers to engage in EMDR.
Using EMDR With chronically traumatized children can be challenging. They can struggle with severe symptoms.There are so many issues, it is difficult to know where to start and when they are stabilized enough to start EMDR processing.
Methods
This presentation provides an outline of the Sleeping Dogs method1 which is used to prepare and engage children in EMDR therapy. With the Sleeping Dogs Tool, therapists make a structured analysis of the child’s potential barriers by answering the nineteen questions reflecting different barriers, such as having a secret, being scared of parent’s reaction, not having support, shame, guilt and self-hatred. Interventions focused on overcoming these specific barriers, so these children can participate in EMDR therapy. Key elements are psychoeducation with the use of metaphors, increasing the child’s support system, and collaboration with the child’s network, the child’s biological family and child protection services. The Sleeping Dogs method can also be used for adults with an intellectual disability or children with language difficulties.
Results
The use of the Sleeping Dogs method is illustrated with case examples and video and audio fragments.
Conclusions
With the Sleeping Dogs method to engage children, who are unwilling or unable to discuss their trauma, in EMDR therapy. The research data of a pilot study show this is a promising and relatively short method.
Abstract topic
Overcoming children’s barriers to engage in EMDR.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Struik, A., & Dumoulin, A. (2023, June) vercoming children’s barriers to engage in EMDR with the sleeping dogs method. Presentation at the EMDR Europe Conference, Bologna, Italy
Citation
“Overcoming children’s barriers to engage in EMDR with the sleeping dogs method,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 8, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/28205.