Authors
Melitta Schneider^1
1Praxis für Traumatherapy

Background and aims
RCT study with 103 children during Corona Pandemic in 2020 to evaluate the effectiveness of the EMDR-TMP (EMDR-Trauma Management Protocol). The EMDR-TMP is a special EMDR procedure for children from 7-17 years who suffer from diverse childhood trauma.

Methods
RCT Study with 2x2 design: Treatment group (T) went through three trauma coping sessions, the waiting group (N) was treated afterwards. We conducted screening, pretest, posttest and catamnesis after two months. CATS was used as screening for PTSD, Questionnaires for depression (PHQ 9), anxiety (GAD 7) and behavioural problems (PSC17) for testing procedures
The new EMDR technique for complex traumatization consists of 10 typical drawings, (core elements) which structure the EMDR processing. These drawings enable the child to focus on different emotions step by step during trauma processing and enable the therapist to cope with complex trauma.

Results
After treatment the SUD scores diminished to nearly zero. PTSD symptoms, measured with the CATS as well as behavior symptoms (PSC17) were reduced significantly and persisted over time.

Conclusions
EMDR-TMP can treat early childhood trauma in children. As EMDR-TMP can be performed in small groups, it is a great help for the large number of children who need treatment urgently.

Abstract topic
Treatment Evaluation of the Trauma Management Protocol (EMDR-TMP) for Complex-traumatized Children

3 Learning objectives
1. Get to know the procedure of EMDR-TMP
2. Get to know the results of the RCT study
3. A new method to treat early childhood trauma

Authors
Arianne Struik¹, Anja Dumoulin², Gerinda van Haaften^2
1Institute for Chronically Traumatized Children (ICTC)
²KJP Dumoulin, Zaltbommel, The Netherlands

Background and aims
The impact of traumatization in infants is great and when left untreated, the effect on development can be devastating and long lasting. More than 20 years ago, Joan Lovett1,2 developed EMDR Storytelling (1999,2015) to apply EMDR with children under 4 years old. However, using EMDR with young children can be challenging and raise many questions. Trauma in young children affects not only the child, but also the parents and the way they interact.

Methods
In this presentation the presenters outline the Parent-Child EMDR Therapy protocol3,4, which provides EMDR clinicians with a solid theoretical framework and understanding of the EMDR process with young children and their families.
This new framework is based on the 8 phases of the EMDR Standard Protocol, the most recent findings in trauma and attachment, memory research, the working memory and reconsolidation theory, optimizing EMDR research, and Infant Mental Health.

Results
With this framework clinicians get in insight in how to address practical issues such as how to make the narrative, where to focus on, and how to work with the child and parent’s or caregivers associations and responses. The use of this framework and the results of this treatment is illustrated with a range of cases and video fragments.

Conclusions
Even though, EMDR with young children is experimental and clinical trials are underway, the incredible positive results and this theoretical framework supports EMDR clinicians to continue to use EMDR with young children.

Authors
Arianne Struik¹, Anja Dumoulin^2
1Institute for Chronically Traumatized Children (ICTC)
²KJP Dumoulin

Background and aims
Using EMDR With chronically traumatized children can be challenging. They can struggle with severe symptoms.There are so many issues, it is difficult to know where to start and when they are stabilized enough to start EMDR processing.

Methods
This presentation provides an outline of the Sleeping Dogs method1 which is used to prepare and engage children in EMDR therapy. With the Sleeping Dogs Tool, therapists make a structured analysis of the child’s potential barriers by answering the nineteen questions reflecting different barriers, such as having a secret, being scared of parent’s reaction, not having support, shame, guilt and self-hatred. Interventions focused on overcoming these specific barriers, so these children can participate in EMDR therapy. Key elements are psychoeducation with the use of metaphors, increasing the child’s support system, and collaboration with the child’s network, the child’s biological family and child protection services. The Sleeping Dogs method can also be used for adults with an intellectual disability or children with language difficulties.

Results
The use of the Sleeping Dogs method is illustrated with case examples and video and audio fragments.

Conclusions
With the Sleeping Dogs method to engage children, who are unwilling or unable to discuss their trauma, in EMDR therapy. The research data of a pilot study show this is a promising and relatively short method.

Abstract topic
Overcoming children’s barriers to engage in EMDR.

3 Learning objectives
Assessing whether stabilization is needed
Being able to plan interventions to overcome the child’s barriers
Recognizing the order in which intervention need to be planned