Counseling Traumatized Children Using EMDR and Play Therapy Stephen Thaxton LCPC 311 S Opal St Boise Idaho USA 208 891 6147 stevethaxhotmailcom Goal to help clinicians apply EMDR to challenging children ID: 767518
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Counseling Traumatized Children: Using EMDR and Play Therapy Stephen Thaxton LCPC 311 S. Opal StBoise, Idaho U.S.A208 891 6147stevethax@hotmail.com
Goal:to help clinicians apply E.M.D.R to challenging childrenfrom ages 5 to 15………
Address “Why Play Therapy?” Review Neurobiology of Abused ChildrenHow can children with multiple abuse histories use E.M.D.R? Stabilization is the key!!! Ego States ; allowing children to install the qualities they need. Intake and assessments mindful of E.M.D.R.: where is the trauma? Play Therapy Schemas: Children find themselves in various characters
Provide practical therapeutic skills you can use to integrate E.M.D.R. with challenging young clients!
Why Play Therapy?
Play therapy allows for active/dynamic play that allows children to install neglected ego states due to abuse. E.M.D.R. “anchors” children who suffer from multiple abuses. Play therapy allows for specific target traumas to come forth. Play therapy facilitates a strong relationship with the therapist
Instead of pirate swords,I purchased “light sabers”
Children who have extensive trauma histories need a softer way to approach their trauma histories. Playing through their schemas allows them to solidify their sense of self and their relationship to the world….
E.M.D.R. allows children to be happy; They become able to verbalize their thoughts and feelings. Their behaviors improve.
Specific trauma targetsbecome approachable and treatable.
Neurobiologyof trauma in review: (Sr. Barbara Cline, FSE, PhD)
Millions of children are victims of violence in the world. Natural disasters, auto accidents, death of parents, sexual abuse, etc.
During development, repetitive and patterned experiences result in corresponding neuralsystem organization (mylenization) and dictates child’s level of functioning…..
A child’s brain is malleable
1. Neurogenisis: neurons are born in infancy.2. Migration: neuro networks move and settle into permanent places in the brain. 3. Differentiation: Neurons specialize during developmentApoptosis: redundant and underutilized neurons die. “use it or lose it”Children who are abused havestunted neuron development.
Persistent stress response causesa “threat response” which inhibitsneuro development.Traumatized children have changes in emotions, behaviors and cognitive function. The extent depends on the trauma, the nature of the event, duration of trauma and child’s constitution.
Response patterns in therapy: Hyper aroused children (not ADD/ADHD) Dissociative Defeatist “flat” depressed children (learned helplessness and lack of stimulation) “Freezing” behaviors when environments are t hreatening. Developmentally delayed “immature”
Children with extensive trauma histories need stabilizing in therapy. Before E.M.D.R targets can be addressed,children need to feel comfortable.This is done through ego state work,E.M.D.R and play therapy.
Exploration of ego statesa llows children to heal.Missing core personality aspects are found and installed.Adaptive Information Processing(API) is accessed (F. Shapiro)
“Adults with complex trauma histories often begin life with the nearly impossible task of surviving severe, chronic, inescapable trauma…. ……this often means going into developmental arrest at the time of trauma creating an internal labyrinth of “locked rooms” or ego states to hold and contain the pain….…..to serve necessary function for survival and to maintain attachment….Our challenge is to understand the child’s situation, and unlock the doors to the house in order to strengthen resources, achieve developmental milestones, detoxify trauma, learn new skills and reclaim tied up energy…..” Dr. Sandra Paulsen (Looking Through The Eyes: EMDR and Ego State Therapy Across the Dissociative Continuum)
Through play therapy and EMDR I trust that children find and explore their hurt parts.EMDR installs these parts.Play therapy helps children access their adaptive information networks (API)
Instead of allowing ego states to remain until adulthood, EMDR allows for healing while still a child.
Hurt/Trauma Child Explores Integration of ego states/cognitions. I AM VICTIM I AM SURVIVOR I AM POWERLESS I AM POWERFUL I AM BAD I AM GOOD I AM ABANDONDED I AM PROTECTED/LOVED I AM PERFECT I AM JUST A KID
BRING ONTHE PLAY!
HOW DO WE GET STARTED?
The Intake Conceptualizations for play are outlined: Current Environmental StressTrauma Hx.Developmental hxMedical hxFamily mental health hx Family discipline style and affection style (DSM-IV Axis 1 through 5)
Children with multiple traumas, RAD issues, resistant children, or unknown trauma hx need stabilization with play therapy and EMDR. Single incident traumas with children from strong support systems can go straight to trauma targeting.Children in play will give clues to trauma hx. Specific targets will come forth……..
I give children a demo and explanation of how EMDR works….through shoulder taps, thera-tappers, bilateral light saber movements and later through art when specific targets present themselves. Children gravitate towards the light sabers in the room, or I will suggest “let’s play Star Wars”Along with EMDR protocol of “go with that”, I allow children to form their own worlds and act out their schemas. Through their schemas, they find their missing ego states. I install the qualities they need.I work at blending in to their story line….
I trust that children gravitate towardsthe necessary ego statesand themes necessaryfor trauma targetingand ego state instillation.
Safe place: As in EMDR protocol, the next step is creating a literal safe place in the room. Here, light sabers are useless, laser guns cannot penetrate, and “wounded” characters automatically heal.Children LOVE the safe place. EMDR instillations of the safe place havehealing benefits from the first session.
The Red light saber is Darth Vader: The main villain, he is powerful and intimidating. He can destroy his opponents with mere hand gestures. He was good as a youth, but later became bad. “I am powerful, I am in control”
Blue light saber is Luke Skywalker Luke represents goodness and innocence. He is often the “underdog” in play. He is Darth Vader’s son and may be used to act out anger at parents. “I am good” “ I can overcome the impossible”
Green light saber is Yoda. Short and homely, Yoda is a wise Jedi master. He has special Jedi powers and when all else is lost.“I am safe” “ I can get help” “I am resourceful”
Purple is Mace Windu…..a Jedi doomed to death. Mace is a Jedi Councilman of high status….a new character. He represents defending good until the death, and yet dies.Themes of betrayal, victim vs. perpetrator.
Princes Leia The Princess is a powerful role as heroine and as an active role for girls.“I am powerful” “ I am strong” “ I am capable”
Children usually stick to themes in play revolving around the ego statethey are utilizing……. “Go with that” allows for children to find their own way in any given story line.Over time, egos come to a climax and resolution; cognitions are installed; children work towards mastery of their worlds.
Previously avoided material will surfacefor trauma targeting as the play evolves. (for example: perpetrators, abandonment,memories, etc.)With these openings, I soften the EMDR byusing art to process the trauma.
This format access left and right hemispheres Elizabeth Turner LICW, Seattle Wa, USAIf Child is not ready to process, return to play.
Case example: Tom
In conclusion: Play therapy engages children Children access their hurtor missing ego state and stabilize…Trauma targets come forthas children heal.