EMDR Treatment for Children + Youth
EMDR is an evidence-based treatment method for children that is very effective. Children tend to take to EMDR better than adults.
Our therapists have advanced training facilitating EMDR with children and youth.
EMDR treatment is introduced into therapy with all children and teens in some way depending on their needs. EMDR helps children overcome the negative impacts of trauma. Trauma is very subjective and depends on the child's point of view in regards to what is troubling them. EMDR with children is a modified child-friendly version of how a therapist would practice with adults. It uses the integration of toys, bi-lateral stimulation, art and other age-appropriate techniques. EMDR with children is widely researched with meaningful clinical results. You may request research articles and we will gladly email them to you.
Traumatic Experiences
Click below to learn more about potential trauma experience examples for children and youth:
Trauma Symptoms
Children who have been traumatized primarily live in an activated state of either hyper-arousal or hypo-arousal meaning fight, flight, freeze or fall-asleep. This can look different ways for different children.
Click below to learn more about possible symptoms:
Potential EMDR Benefits
After trauma resolution the child will be back on a healthy developmental trajectory:
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Increased self-esteem, self-confidence and self-reliance
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Increased ability to self-regulate: expanded window of tolerance
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Better manage cognitive distortions: increased flexible thinking, ability to reframe negative thoughts, decrease negative self-talk and increased encouraging thoughts
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Identify co-regulators (Eg: Knows who to go to for help)
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Increase tolerance of unknown
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Increase emotional, cognitive and physiological management and understanding
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Increased mastery experiences
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Increased emotional literacy and ability to authentically express emotions
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Better communication skills (Eg: Express feelings, articulate personal needs)
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Self-care: Use personal resources to soothe herself
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Mindfulness: use of breath, grounding and self-awareness
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Increased mastery experiences
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Decreased depression and anxiety and other clinical symptoms
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Better sleep hygiene
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Learned coping skills: butterfly hug, calm place, container, protection team
Kindred Counselling is located at:
Boundary View Plaza
The Enterprise Centre, Suite 201 3701 E Hastings St, Burnaby, BC
T: 604-637-2074