June 12, 2026
Live Webinar
Advanced course designed to help EMDR clinicians intervene in a developmentally appropriate manner to utilize the AIP model in helping children transition unprocessed trauma disruptions into more adaptive memories. The focus is on applying traditional concepts of play therapy in the Eight Phases of EMDR therapy with fun and clinical effectiveness.
This course integrates foundational concepts of child development with EMDR therapy, highlighting how adverse experiences impact neurodevelopment and how targeted interventions support the transformation of unprocessed trauma into adaptive resolution. It demonstrates how play therapy can be effectively and developmentally applied across all eight phases of EMDR therapy.
The training emphasizes the alignment of traditional play therapy techniques with the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model to enhance clinical effectiveness with children and adolescents. It examines how behavioral presentation and developmental factors inform case conceptualization, client readiness, and treatment planning, particularly in the early phases of EMDR.
Special attention is given to the unique considerations of assessment and processing with children, including the use of play-based tools for resourcing, bilateral stimulation, and navigating clinical challenges such as blocking beliefs and the need for interweaves. Differences and similarities between child and adult EMDR are also addressed.
Overall, the course strengthens clinicians’ ability to adapt EMDR therapy for children and teens in a developmentally attuned and clinically effective manner.
Presenter Bio:
Evelyn Wright, LCSW is a graduate of the University of Southern California and recently served on the Board of Councilors of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. She became involved in trauma and play therapy while at UCLA’s Department of Pediatrics from 1998 through 2004 specializing in children in out-of-home placement. Transitioning to private practice in 2004 she continued to specialize in child therapy serving families and individuals across the diagnostic spectrum. She became an EMDR Certified Therapist in 2010. As a child therapist and member of the Association for Play Therapy she has been a guest speaker on trauma/abuse, child development, cross-cultural/transracial and diversity issues, adoption, behavior modification and parenting. With interests in fidelity to the AIP framework within EMDR therapy and promoting the growth of EMDR therapy throughout the mental health community, she served on the EMDR International Association Board of Directors for 5 years and as EMDRIA’s President in 2017 and 2018.
Recognizing the impact of posttraumatic stress disorder and adverse life experiences across the lifespan and the sociocultural spectrum, has allowed her to utilize EMDR to view clients’ experiences from their perspective and to facilitate exploration and discovery of new understandings that help clients achieve their goals, attain personal growth and develop healthy relationships.
As a basic training facilitator and approved consultant, Evelyn’s style is professionally collaborative and seeks to assist and support licensed therapists enhance their understanding and utilization of EMDR therapy.
Timeline:
8.45 – 9:00am: Pacific Daylight Time Check in and attendance
9:00 – 10:00am:
Introduction to concepts
Play therapy techniques and how they can be integrated into specific phases (Phases 1–8) of EMDR therapy when working with children and adolescents.
10:00 – 10:10am BREAK
10:10 – 11:15am:
Developmental or clinical factors (e.g., neurodevelopmental disruptions, psychosocial influences) that inform treatment planning and readiness for EMDR therapy with children and teens.
Play-based EMDR interventions that support developmentally appropriate trauma processing with children and adolescents across the eight phases of EMDR therapy.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Identify at least three ways play therapy techniques can be integrated into specific phases (Phases 1–8) of EMDR therapy when working with children and adolescents.
Describe at least two developmental or clinical factors (e.g., neurodevelopmental disruptions, psychosocial influences) that inform treatment planning and readiness for EMDR therapy with children and teens.
Recall at least two play-based EMDR interventions that support developmentally appropriate trauma processing with children and adolescents across the eight phases of EMDR therapy.
This course is Interactive.
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Not all courses are approved by each agency. See each individual course description for specific approval information.
