EMDR Therapy and Adjunct Approaches with Children: Complex Trauma, Attachment, and Dissociation 1st Edition

First, this is a book for psychotherapists, and this review is written for clinicians.Many workshop presenters and consultants help EMDR clinicians understand what is going on with complex clients, but often we are left with "yes, but what do I DO?!" Sometimes, the answers they provide give the impression that we should "do something other than EMDR." In contrast, this book provides both understanding and practical interventions, grounded in solid theory and fidelity to the EMDR approach.Ana Gomez is a gifted therapist and trainer who is able to help therapists understand the application of EMDR with children and their families. Whether you work with children or adults, ANY EMDR clinician will benefit from her clear explanation of the model guiding EMDR (Adaptive Information Processing) and the phases of EMDR treatment. Clinicians that are not trained in EMDR will benefit from her thorough explanation of the approach, and are likely to feel compelled to get trained in EMDR.The author's integration of nuts and bolts descriptions of the integration of EMDR in work with children and their families provides the answers to common clinical questions. I appreciate her succint, user friendly history taking, treatment planning, preparation, and active intervention strategies - most of which can be adapted to clients of any age.I particularly appreciate the author's integration of creative, practical and fun interventions throughout the book - but particularly in the arena of preparation, skill-building,introduction of EMDR concepts to children, and active processing strategies.The information provided about both dissociation and attachment theory is a must read for all clinicians working with anyone who has ever been a child that experienced trauma, neglect, or other disruptions in attachment. From how to assess/diagnosis dissociation in children to understanding attachment theory and how that impacts treatment decisions, this book is an essential primer of what I think of as the "advanced basics" in working with complex cases. Numerous chapters provide practical strategies to be used during all phases of treatment in children dissociative processes.The sections that discuss working with parents and the family system provide basic principles of attachment theory and AIP, and then specific, hands on exercises to enhance an adult's attachmtnt skills.Clinicians that recognize the value of drawing from the brilliance of many schools of psychotherapy will appreciate the last three chapters that integrate EMDR Therapy with Sensorimotore Psychotherapy (ch 11), Theraplay (ch 12), and Internal Family Systems (ch 13.)This should be a "Must Read" for beginning and advanced EMDR therapist working with clients of any age. It is sure to enrich your understanding of your cients and guide your treatment interventions.

This is an amazing book for anyone who practices EMDR with traumatized children. Ana Gomez has melded neuroscience with EMDR, attachment, play therapy, Theraplay, sandtray and IFS to make this a truly meaningful and helpful book. Her integration of all of these concepts has provided me with new understanding that will be beneficial to all of the traumatized children to whom I provide counseling services. I would recommend this book to any child therapist who is trained in EMDR. Thank you Ana Gomez!

This is a thorough, well-thought resource that has provided endless information regarding EMDR therapy with children and the family system. Gomez provides valuable review of relevant literature and moves seamlessly into clinical work. It is exhaustive yet concise and reads quite well — a rarity in resources.

Ana Gomez has some great techniques for working with children doing EMDR. I have also attended one of her conferences and find this book and great addition. EMDR is complicated when working with children who have had long complex trauma and abuse that was on going for years. The work needs to go slow and kids can be hard to engage. All of Ana's work is a huge help in working with this group of children.

This book is excellent, super recommended for therapist practicing EMDR with children. Super easy to read and to engage.

I have just been perusing this book, flipping from section to section since I received the package last night. It is giving me so many ideas on how to use EMDR with my younger clients. I cannot wait to use some of the protocols described in this book.

Excellent shape. As advertised. I'm renting the book, but will ultimately buy it.

Ms. Gomez is an awesome resource in understanding the nuances of EMDR and giving me clear tools that I can use with children and all of my clients. Often trauma is seated in experiences from childhood, so these techniques are invaluable.