EMDR Therapy for Kids - Healing Through Play and Connection
At Soul Space, we understand that children can experience trauma just like adults—but their needs and ways of processing are unique. That’s why we offer EMDR therapy for kids, guided by our skilled therapist Ursula, who specializes in helping children navigate difficult memories and emotions in a safe, supportive, and playful way.
How EMDR for Kids Differs from Adults
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful therapy for helping people process traumatic memories and challenging emotions. With children, however, the approach is slightly different:
"EMDR is different with children because their traumatic memories or difficult emotions are often more recent. Sometimes this means children reprocess and report feeling better faster than adults. However, this can depend on factors like the nature of the trauma, the child’s coping strategies, age, memory of the event, and attachment to family and the therapist. Children process their experiences through play, which allows us to incorporate sand tray therapy, therapeutic art, dollhouses, and games. Bilateral movements can include dancing, playing instruments, waving a wand, TheraTappers, drawing, and back-and-forth movements in the sand." — Ursula
What a Session Looks Like
EMDR therapy for kids is playful, engaging, and tailored to their needs. Ursula combines EMDR with other modalities such as play therapy, sand tray therapy, and emotionally focused individual therapy (EFIT). Here’s what a typical session looks like:
Phases 1-2: Building Trust and Safety
The first two phases focus on building a positive relationship between the child and therapist. During this time, Ursula:
Uses play therapy, sand tray therapy, and art to help the child feel comfortable and express themselves
Teaches breathing and grounding techniques to regulate emotions
Introduces bilateral movements in a playful way to support positive experiences
Creates supportive tools like a worry jar and a calm place resource to help the child manage big feelings
Phases 3-8: Reprocessing Memories
Once trust is established, EMDR therapy moves into memory reprocessing:
The child selects a worry from the worry jar
They may draw, use the sand tray, or discuss parts of the memory before beginning bilateral movements
Ursula pauses regularly to check in with the child about their experience and guides the reprocessing
For younger children or those who struggle with standard EMDR, Ursula may use the Flash Technique, a fun and engaging method combining positive focus and bilateral movements
"Flash Technique feels like a fun, silly, and engaging game! Children often enjoy focusing on a positive topic while periodically checking in on a challenging memory or feeling. This approach helps them feel empowered and supported throughout the session." — Ursula
Supporting the Child Between Sessions
Sometimes memories take more than one session to process. In these cases, Ursula teaches containment exercises using the worry jar and calm place resources so children feel secure between sessions. Follow-ups with parents and caregivers ensure progress is maintained and additional support is provided if new challenges arise.
Real Stories of Healing
Ursula has witnessed incredible transformations through EMDR therapy and Flash Technique. Children who initially struggled with nightmares, anxiety, flashbacks, or unhelpful thoughts often leave sessions feeling empowered, confident, and calm. Parents frequently report a decrease—or even total cessation—of nightmares and anxiety. Because therapy is playful and strengths-based, it also bolsters self-esteem while giving children practical coping strategies for life.
Why Choose EMDR for Your Child
EMDR therapy for kids is effective, child-centered, and fun. By combining play, art, bilateral movements, and tailored techniques like the Flash Technique, Ursula helps children:
Process traumatic memories safely
Reduce anxiety and unhelpful thoughts
Build self-esteem and confidence
Develop practical coping tools for the future
At Soul Space, we believe that healing can be empowering, engaging, and playful. If you’re interested in EMDR therapy for your child, contact us today to learn more about how Ursula can help your family navigate difficult experiences with compassion and care.