EMDR with children and adolescents: Context, empirical evidence, and challenges

This chapter introduces the section of this Handbook that is devoted to EMDR therapy with children and adolescents, starting with a synopsis of the accompanying chapters in this section. The chapter itself explains the context of working with this target-group, sketches the current state of empirical evidence for the efficacy of EMDR therapy for this group, and explicates some challenges lying ahead in the EMDR child and adolescent field. The chapter incorporates information about the potential impact of trauma for this population and clarifies why adaptations are necessary for attuning EMDR therapy to the needs of the child in relevant contexts, such as developmental phases and systemic contexts. The collective information provided in this section aims to illuminate our appeal that for therapists who want to treat children utilizing EMDR therapy, EMDR child and adolescent training is an essential foundation.

Book Section

English

Renée Beer
Carlijn de Roos
Sarah J. Schubert