Aggression within the context of complex trauma: A multimodal approach to EMDR therapy with children
Description
Background and aims
Violent children must self-organize to meet the internal and external demands of co-existing with daily reminders of their trauma. Violence directed toward others constitutes one of the biggest challenges for child EMDR therapists. These children carry truncated defenses, rigid forms of self-protection, internalization of wounding attachment figures, insecure and disorganized internal working models, dysregulated autonomic states, and shame.
Methods
This presentation will provide a theoretical and clinical framework to understand and work with aggression and hostility in children within eight phases of EMDR treatment. Portals and entry routes into hostile and aggressive parts that honor the child and their developmental capacities will be provided. This workshop will address how to utilize metaphors, play, Sandtray, somatic, and expressive arts therapies within a multimodal approach to EMDR treatment. It will address how to work with the child and their family system while providing the companionship, containment, co-regulation, and co-organization of their experiences, which provide the foundation for integration and healing.
Conclusions
EMDR treatment using a multimodal approach is an effective approach for children presenting with aggressiveness and violent behaviors
Violent children must self-organize to meet the internal and external demands of co-existing with daily reminders of their trauma. Violence directed toward others constitutes one of the biggest challenges for child EMDR therapists. These children carry truncated defenses, rigid forms of self-protection, internalization of wounding attachment figures, insecure and disorganized internal working models, dysregulated autonomic states, and shame.
Methods
This presentation will provide a theoretical and clinical framework to understand and work with aggression and hostility in children within eight phases of EMDR treatment. Portals and entry routes into hostile and aggressive parts that honor the child and their developmental capacities will be provided. This workshop will address how to utilize metaphors, play, Sandtray, somatic, and expressive arts therapies within a multimodal approach to EMDR treatment. It will address how to work with the child and their family system while providing the companionship, containment, co-regulation, and co-organization of their experiences, which provide the foundation for integration and healing.
Conclusions
EMDR treatment using a multimodal approach is an effective approach for children presenting with aggressiveness and violent behaviors
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Gomez, A. (2024, June). Aggression within the context of complex trauma: A multimodal approach to EMDR therapy with children. Presentation at the 22nd EMDR Europe Conference, Dublin, Ireland
Citation
“Aggression within the context of complex trauma: A multimodal approach to EMDR therapy with children,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 7, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/28665.