Authors
Mara Tesler Stein, Psy.D., PMH-C^1
1The Touchstone Institute for Perinatal Training, 4545 W. Touhy Ave, 60712, Lincolnwood, IL, USA

Background and aims
The perinatal period, defined as the period encompassing pregnancy through the first three years postpartum, is one of both potential vulnerability and developmental promise for pregnant people, their babies, and families. PTSD in the perinatal period can result from events prior to pregnancy as well as events occurring during a current pregnancy. Whether or not the index trauma is related to pregnancy, research documents the detrimental effects of untreated PTSD on the pregnant person, the pregnancy itself, the developing fetus, and the newborn baby.

Trauma-focused therapies such as Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) have demonstrated efficacy in the perinatal period to treat PTSD from traumatic birth, to reduce anxiety about imminent childbirth in women with a prior stillbirth, and in treatment for PTSD after infertility and ectopic pregnancy. A recent meta-analysis found no evidence for adverse outcomes when using trauma-focused therapies during pregnancy and noted that they found “no support for a course of action in which the continued presence of PTSD is preferable to the low chance of short-term physiological arousal during treatment for PTSD.” (Baas, et al 2020). Despite this, guidance around use of EMDR therapy during pregnancy is inconsistent.

This presentation will outline the prevalence of PTSD in the perinatal period, discuss EMDR’s efficacy with this population, and walk participants through the clinical decision making around utilizing EMDR therapy during pregnancy.

Authors
Ann Beckley-Forest, LCSW¹, Annie Monaco, LCSW¹, Susan Darker-Smith, LLM, MSc^2
1Playful EMDR LLC, 1837 Hertel Ave, Buffalo NY, 14214, USA
²Child Trauma Therapy Centre, 44 Newton, Sy4 2AY Baschurch Shrewsbury, United Kingdom

Background and aims
The literature suggests that developmental stages fall into 3 distinct phases: early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence. This clinical case presentation will apply a developmental understanding of each stage to formulating, stabilizing, and desensitizing trauma and adversity using EMDR. The AIP model invites innovation and integration in our quest to make the benefits of EMDR available to clients of all ages, developmental levels and background. The presenters aim to offer a basic framework supported by specific clinical case examples of the therapeutic powers of play, creativity, movement and attunement to support EMDR therapy with children and teens.

Methods
With both the preparation and processing phases, we will demonstrate how make the benefits of EMDR therapy possible with children. Extended case examples will also include how to structure and involve the participation of the caregiving system. Presentation examples (shared through transcripts and video clips) will include involving caregivers therapeutically to provide for the unmet needs for the child to increase healthy resources, in challenging cases and situations.

Results
Presented through case material.

Conclusions
The scope and limitations of the current literature and needs for further research on best practice strategies with children will be articulated.

Abstract topic
EMDR with Children

3 Learning objectives
Describe how the principles of attunement, somatosensory play and kinesthetic learning should be applied to aspects of the EMDR protocol with children and teens.
Describe 3 examples of developmentally sensitive adaptation of the EMDR protocol across the lifespan from early childhood through adolescence.
Describe 3 examples of structuring and utilizing the participation of caregivers in EMDR