A child in a playroom. His eyes are closed, and he is tugging at a stretchy stress ball with all his might.
Before their child begins
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy,
it is helpful for parents to know what will happen
in a typical EMDR session.

Here’s what happens in a typical EMDR therapy session for kids:

Securing the space

Your child needs to feel comfortable and secure to begin the EMDR process. We always ask if your child needs water or something else.

We let the child get comfortable in the room and see if there is anything we can do to make the room more comfortable. For example, dim or brighten the lights, adjust their seating, hand them a particular toy, or hand them a warm fuzzy blanket.

Ahhhh! Now we are warm and comfy.

Thinking about upsetting memories

Together, we will gently and playfully explore how these memories make them feel.

Typically, children can most easily express their emotions and what is going on in their world through play and art therapy. Our clinic’s playrooms are extensively equipped with a variety of toys, figures, books, and art supplies that help your child demonstrate their emotions.

Bilateral stimulation

Afterwards, your child will think of the memory and we will begin bilateral stimulation with the child’s preferred method. For example, tapping, following a fairy wand, waving a pool noodle, buzzing “buzzies” (a device that a child can hold in each hand, which vibrate alternatively).

Bilateral stimulation is the use of a sensory stimulus (sound, eye movement, tapping, buzzing) that alternatively activate each side of the brain, left and right.

Exploring thoughts and emotions

Following the bilateral sequences, we will guide your child to explore their thoughts and emotions.

Throughout the process

Throughout the entire therapy process, we validate your child’s experiences and provide reassurance and compassion.

So now you know what to expect in your child’s EMDR session

Knowing what happens during a session reassures you as a parent. If you have any further questions, please write them down (to make sure you remember), and bring them up with your child’s therapist during your parenting session.

Next, let’s prepare your kiddo for their EMDR therapy sessions

Before their first EMDR therapy session, it is also important that kids know a bit about the journey on which they are going to embark. They should know that they are fully supported by their parents in this process and that they can come to you with any questions, thoughts, tricky feelings, or concerns.

Read our recent blog post for tips by an EMDR therapist on how to prepare your child for their EMDR therapy.

Learn more about EMDR

Meet the author
(an EMDR therapist)

Rita Motta, MSW, RSW
Rita Motta, MSW, RSWChild Therapist at Kids Reconnect
Rita Motta is a Registered Social Worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers. She holds a clinical master’s degree in social work (MSW) – Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups, from the University of Calgary. She is an EMDR Therapist with Level 1 and 2 training.

Meet the editor
(a writer and designer)

Ana Hoepfner, BEc
Ana Hoepfner, BEcCommunications at Kids Reconnect
Ana is a writer and designer who delivers business results through creative, joyful communications that surprise and delight kids and adults. Ana designed, copywrote, and manages the “spark-tacular” Kids Reconnect, Couples Reconnect, and CRCG websites, including this blog.