The EMDR method for children and adolescents

The EMDR psychotherapeutic approach is extremely effective in children and adolescents after only a few sessions. This is backed by numerous scientific studies, while our own experience at the centre, GIA TIN ITHAKI, further verifies the positive results of these studies. Perhaps this is partly due to their younger age. Younger brains are still developing and more “malleable”, which supports the more rapid healing of mental trauma, the better assimilation of positive changes and “corrections”. It is also partly due to the timely application of the method or at least before the trauma and its consequences imprint on the child’s psyche and body.

The EMDR method has been proven to help children and adolescents suffering from:

• Post-traumatic stress, phobias, deep concerns, compulsive behaviour, violent or aggressive behaviour, sleep disorders, eating disorders, depression, anger and other negative emotions.

• A severe mental trauma as a consequence of experiencing:
  • abuse (physical, sexual, verbal and emotional)
  • conditions of war
  • a natural disaster (e.g. earthquake, volcano eruption, floods)
  • multiple surgeries
  • death in the family
  • a serious car accident
  • repeated and long-term intimidation/ bullying

• A less severe mental trauma as a consequence of:
  • Accidents with minor injuries
  • School difficulties and disappointments
  • Social problems
  • Nightmares
  • Isolated cases of intimidation/ bullying at school

EMDR also helps children and adolescents to strengthen their positive internal resources such as their emotional security, self-esteem and confidence.

Before each EMDR treatment, our specialist will collect a complete history from the parents to better evaluate the need for therapy and to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment. This is done with the presence of the parents during the first 1-2 meetings in the absence of the child/ adolescent. When needed, parents may also be involved in therapy, i.e. during EMDR treatment, particularly when children are very young and need the security and warmth of a parent’s presence.

You do not have to decide on the therapeutic approach to be followed in the case of your child. Our centre’s specialist is in a position to assess whether the EMDR approach is the most appropriate treatment for your child after taking the informative history with all the necessary information on the issue that concerns you and your child.

Depending on the need of each case, the EMDR method can be combined with other therapeutic methods, such as the play therapy, sand tray therapy, art therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, etc.