This presentation introduces a multimodal approach to EMDR therapy with children that
integrates play, sandtray, and expressive arts therapies within the framework of the
Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. Recognizing that children often
communicate experiences through action, symbolism, creativity, and play rather than
words alone, this approach provides multiple pathways for accessing, processing, and
integrating distressing experiences.


Participants will explore how play, sandtray, and expressive arts therapies, as well as
storytelling, movement, and other creative interventions, can be integrated throughout
the eight phases of EMDR therapy to enhance engagement, emotional regulation, and
adaptive processing. Special attention will be given to developmental considerations,
affect tolerance, and the therapeutic use of symbolic expression when working with
children affected by trauma, attachment disruptions, and adverse life experiences.
Attendees will discover how a multimodal approach can expand the reach of EMDR
therapy while honoring each child’s unique developmental, relational, and expressive
capacities, creating opportunities for healing that are both developmentally responsive
and clinically effective.

A Multimodal Approach to EMDR Therapy with Children Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the theoretical foundations and clinical rationale for integrating play,
    sandtray, and expressive arts therapies within EMDR therapy with children

  • Identify developmentally appropriate multimodal interventions that can be
    incorporated throughout the eight phases of EMDR therapy to enhance
    engagement, regulation, and adaptive processing

  • Apply a multimodal framework to case conceptualization and treatment
    planning when working with children affected by trauma, attachment
    disruptions, and adverse life experiences

CE Credit Hours: 1 CE Credit Hour, NBCC Content Areas: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Counseling Relationship, Human Growth and Development

Synergetic Play Therapy Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7450. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Synergetic Play Therapy Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Synergetic Play Therapy Institute is also an Approved Provider for the following associations:
*Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA) Approved Provider
*British Columbia Play Therapy Association (BCPTA) Approved Provider 23-01

Continuing education credit hours may be awarded to graduate-level counselors or students enrolled in a graduate-level mental health program. If you do not qualify for continuing education credit hours and would like to receive a certificate of completion for this course please contact the Institute directly.

Your participation in this course has directly contributed to the Synergetic Play Therapy Foundation‘s mission of making play therapy trainings accessible and affordable to clinicians worldwide, as well as to fund research initiatives in Synergetic Play Therapy! All proceeds from this course have been donated to the Synergetic Play Therapy Foundation to support this mission!

Each lesson of this course must be completed in order to receive a CE Certificate. Please click on the blue letters below, “Synergetic Play Therapy Institute – Course Agreements”, to begin. Once you have completed this first lesson, you will gain access to the next lesson to view the course video.

Please remember that your access to this course and its content will expire 365 days from the date of purchase.