8 Phases of EMDR Therapy with Children and Adolescents | EMDR Playground™
Jackie Flynn Consulting EMDR Playground
jackieflynnconsulting.com

8 Phases of EMDR Therapywith Children and Adolescents

A 7-CEU, EMDRIA-approved advanced training for EMDR clinicians who want practical, developmentally attuned play therapy tools to implement all 8 phases of EMDR with fidelity, especially with kids and teens.

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7 EMDRIA-approved CEUsOn-demand, self-pacedCertificate of completion
1History2Preparation3Assessment4Desensitize5Installation6Body Scan7Closure8Re-evaluateStart hereFinish

Tap a tile, or roll to move along the path.

Phase 1 of 868:14 video

History Taking, Conceptualization & Treatment Planning

  • Use play therapy to gather history and plan treatment with caregivers and children
  • Stronger strategies for caregiver involvement and history gathering
  • Apply the AIP model with young clients

Where EMDR meets play, so children can truly engage

A teen seated beside a sandtray of figures while a clinician holds a bilateral stimulation device

EMDR is a powerful trauma treatment, but kids and teens often need a different doorway into processing.

When development, attachment, and nervous system needs are part of the picture, you need tools that create safety, engagement, and clarity, without losing EMDR structure.

To do this well, clinicians need child-centered, play-based methods that still support fidelity to all 8 phases of EMDR therapy.

Twelve skills you’ll build in this course

A girl with eyes closed, wearing headphones and holding bilateral tappers and a plush whale
Use the 8 EMDR phases with children and teens
Understand brain development, trauma, and ACEs
Apply the AIP model with young clients
Use play therapy to gather history and plan treatment with caregivers and children
Teach emotional skills, calming, and grounding with simple images and play
Do EMDR assessment using child-friendly tools and drawings
Use creative bilateral stimulation for reprocessing
Support healing and install positive beliefs through play
Help children notice body stress in simple ways
Reduce body distress using gentle, play-based techniques
Teach grounding skills to children, teens, and caregivers
Review progress with children, teens, and caregivers

This course gives you a clear, clinically grounded way to blend EMDR and Play Therapy, so your sessions feel more effective, regulated, and developmentally aligned.

Trauma work doesn’t have to feel stuck.

Turn the card over to see what changes when you have a play-based roadmap for every phase.

A smiling clinician playing with three young children on the floor

Where sessions get stuck

  • Sessions may stay too verbal or abstract
  • Kids may disengage, avoid, or become overwhelmed
  • Targets and cognitions may be unclear or hard to access
  • Stabilization can become the session, without meaningful movement into processing
  • You may feel stuck trying to translate the protocol into “kid language” on the fly

Clear, practical, and designed for real clinical use

Bridge play and EMDR

Understand how Play Therapy techniques map onto all 8 phases of EMDR.

Work developmentally and confidently

Use developmentally attuned, clinically grounded tools you can apply immediately.

Hold the frame with integrity

Follow step-by-step guidance to maintain EMDR fidelity with children and adolescents.

See it in action

Learn through demonstrations and observation opportunities (where applicable in the course).

Partner with caregivers

Use practical language and tools to involve parents and caregivers appropriately and effectively.

Ground theory in real life

Explore clinical case examples showing real-world application across developmental stages.

The course path

  1. Introduction to the Course and Welcome from JackieWelcome9:13
  2. Legal, Ethical, and Professional NoticeReading
  3. Clinical Supports for the 8 Phases of EMDR with Children and AdolescentsDownloadable PDF
  4. Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) Model with Children and AdolescentsReading
  5. EMDR with Children and Adolescents with Fidelity to the EMDR Basic ProtocolReading
  6. Phase 1: History Taking, Conceptualization & Treatment Planning with Children and AdolescentsVideo lesson68:14
  7. Phase 2: Preparation with Children and AdolescentsVideo lesson165:41
  8. Phase 3: Assessment with Children and AdolescentsVideo lesson32:58
  9. Phase 4: Desensitization with Children and AdolescentsVideo lesson73:50
  10. Phase 5: Installation with Children and AdolescentsVideo lesson55:21
  11. Phase 6: Body Scan with Children and AdolescentsVideo lesson81:09
  12. Phase 7: Closure with Children and AdolescentsVideo lesson19:59
  13. Phase 8: Re-evaluation with Children and AdolescentsVideo lesson23:50
  14. QuizCheck your learning
  15. Evaluation FormForm
  16. Closing Comments from JackieWrap-up0:41

16 of 16 lessons shown

Portrait of Jackie Flynn
Jackie Flynn

Hey there, I’m Jackie

EdS, LMHC-S, RPT-S™

I’m a licensed psychotherapist, EMDRIA Approved Trainer, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor™, education specialist, and Certified Safe and Sound Protocol Provider. More than anything, I’m passionate about helping therapists bring the power of EMDR to children and teens in ways that truly work for their brains, bodies, and stories.

Through EMDR Playground, I teach developmentally attuned, play-integrated approaches that stay faithful to the EMDR model while honoring the uniqueness of every child. My work is grounded in nervous system science and guided by a deep belief that when we meet children where they are, we open the door to profound healing.

From Jackie’s shelf: books and clinical tools that help children understand their inner worlds

Little Gecko’s Broken Tail Being Human In My Body, I Feel We Are Family I Am Octopus Animal Imagery EMDR with Kids Flip Chart

Recipient of EMDRIA’s 2024 EMDR Advocacy Award, recognizing dedication to expanding access to high-quality, developmentally attuned EMDR therapy for children and teens.

What colleagues say

★★★★★
“Jackie is a dedicated, gem amongst clinicians. Her gentle presence, genuine attunement, and depth of experience help clients and their families develop a felt sense of safety, paving the way for healing.”
Joey Jachec, LMHC
★★★★★
“Jackie has a wealth of knowledge to help support you in your marriage and your parenting. She’s an awesome person who’s definitely worth getting to know!”
Rob Rogers, MA, LCPC, NCC
★★★★★
“Jackie Flynn is a caring and experienced therapist who is respected and admired in the EMDR therapist community for her talent and dedication. She is ‘the’ point of reference when it comes to EMDR with children.”
Patricia Rotsztain, LMHC, EMDR

Before you play: who this is for

  • For clinicians at least partially trained in EMDR.This training is designed for you.
  • This is NOT an EMDR basic training.It builds on what you already know.
  • Basic training first is strongly recommended.Complete the full EMDR basic training and have experience using EMDR with children and adolescents before using this material.
  • EMDRIA credits have a requirement.Eligibility is restricted to those who have completed an EMDRIA-Approved Basic EMDR Training. Attendees who are partially trained in EMDR are not eligible to receive EMDRIA Credits.

Check your CEU eligibility

The course open on a laptop Cover of the downloadable PDF clinical supports
7EMDRIA CEUs

What’s in the box

3.5 hrOn-demand
8Phase modules
7CEUs
Focus
Use all 8 phases of EMDR with children and teens using play-based, developmentally appropriate tools, while staying true to the EMDR model.
Format
Clear teaching, real clinical examples, and practical tools you can use right away.
Approach
Ethical, attachment-informed EMDR and Play Therapy that supports regulation, development, and safety.
Tools and resources
Play-based EMDR tools, child-friendly assessments, creative bilateral stimulation, grounding skills, and caregiver support strategies.
Certificate of completion
Earn 7 EMDRIA-Approved CEUs and a certificate (available to clinicians who have completed an EMDRIA-Approved Basic EMDR Training).

Your move.

Enroll today and learn how to integrate Play Therapy techniques into all 8 phases of EMDR, helping children and adolescents access safety, regulation, engagement, and meaningful trauma processing.

$347
Enroll Now!