Integrative trauma treatment for the whole child: Play therapy + EMDR for children ages 3–12 with PTSD
Description
Introduction
The prevalence of PTSD in trauma-exposed preschool-aged children is approximately 22% (Woolgar et al., 2022). Trauma intervention research on children has primarily focused on ages 7 years old and older, with a gap in the research on how to effectively intervene with younger children and those who are nonverbal. Additionally, there are also limitations for treating complex child trauma cases that involve dissociation and other related symptoms and defenses. One relatively recent approach targeting a broad range of child populations, including younger children and those with complex trauma, is Playful EMDR, which integrates Play Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Objectives
The primary objective of this study was to explore how trained clinicians integrate play therapy with EMDR in treating children ages 3-12 with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
Methods
A total of twenty-eight Playful EMDR trained and experienced clinicians participated in an exploratory qualitative study, providing a depth of data from three phases using different methods—a Human-Centered Design (HCD) activity, three focus groups, and nine semi-structured individual interviews—with each phase producing progressively deeper data. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to yield final aggregate themes from all three phases.
Results
indings yielded two primary topics—key benefits and critical factors for implementation. Benefits included that Playful EMDR: 1) facilitates faster and deeper AIP processing; 2) provides a naturally titrating space for AIP processing; 3) is easily tailored for children with a broad range of ages, conditions, and trauma presentations (including CPTSD); 4) combines creativity, flexibility, and movement (Play) within a semi-structured, contained, and directive process (EMDR); 5) integrates well with complementary approaches to optimize clinical results. Key implementation factors involve: 1) a safe environment with supportive, emotionally healthy caregivers; 2) a highly-involved caregiver as co-therapist for deep, relational attachment work and to optimize results; 3) extensive training paths for clinicians with supportive consultation and a strong professional community, and 4) community support, funding, and awareness to increase playful EMDR accessibility for more children.
Conclusion
This new thematic data explores how child, family, clinician, and external factors inform clinical, practice, policy and research implications for Playful EMDR.
The prevalence of PTSD in trauma-exposed preschool-aged children is approximately 22% (Woolgar et al., 2022). Trauma intervention research on children has primarily focused on ages 7 years old and older, with a gap in the research on how to effectively intervene with younger children and those who are nonverbal. Additionally, there are also limitations for treating complex child trauma cases that involve dissociation and other related symptoms and defenses. One relatively recent approach targeting a broad range of child populations, including younger children and those with complex trauma, is Playful EMDR, which integrates Play Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Objectives
The primary objective of this study was to explore how trained clinicians integrate play therapy with EMDR in treating children ages 3-12 with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
Methods
A total of twenty-eight Playful EMDR trained and experienced clinicians participated in an exploratory qualitative study, providing a depth of data from three phases using different methods—a Human-Centered Design (HCD) activity, three focus groups, and nine semi-structured individual interviews—with each phase producing progressively deeper data. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to yield final aggregate themes from all three phases.
Results
indings yielded two primary topics—key benefits and critical factors for implementation. Benefits included that Playful EMDR: 1) facilitates faster and deeper AIP processing; 2) provides a naturally titrating space for AIP processing; 3) is easily tailored for children with a broad range of ages, conditions, and trauma presentations (including CPTSD); 4) combines creativity, flexibility, and movement (Play) within a semi-structured, contained, and directive process (EMDR); 5) integrates well with complementary approaches to optimize clinical results. Key implementation factors involve: 1) a safe environment with supportive, emotionally healthy caregivers; 2) a highly-involved caregiver as co-therapist for deep, relational attachment work and to optimize results; 3) extensive training paths for clinicians with supportive consultation and a strong professional community, and 4) community support, funding, and awareness to increase playful EMDR accessibility for more children.
Conclusion
This new thematic data explores how child, family, clinician, and external factors inform clinical, practice, policy and research implications for Playful EMDR.
Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Béguin, S. E. (2026). Integrative trauma treatment for the whole child: A qualitative study exploring how trained clinicians integrate play therapy with EMDR in treating children ages 3–12 with PTSD symptoms (Doctoral dissertation, University of Pennsylvania). ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/handle/20.500.14332/62593
Collection
Citation
“Integrative trauma treatment for the whole child: Play therapy + EMDR for children ages 3–12 with PTSD,” Francine Shapiro Legacy Library, accessed June 18, 2026, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/30507.