What is EMDR?
EMDR is a psychotherapy technique that stimulates the right and left lobes of the brain with eye movements and desensitizes the person to traumatic memories with this stimulation. Today, it is used not only to alleviate traumatic memories but also to treat many different symptoms. EMDR, whose effectiveness has been proven by scientific research, has become a frequently used psychotherapy approach in both adults and children.
EMDR Application in Children
When we compare the traumatic experiences of children with the traumatic experiences of adults, we see that they are very different. Because the child is just starting to learn about the world, he learns by observing how an event should affect him. A child can be exposed to various traumas not only by experiencing but also by observing. Children, who are in a rapid cognitive development process, record most of the stimuli they see around them in their minds. The violent elements they watch on television, as well as the violence they are exposed to, can traumatize them. The child is influenced by the event he experiences and the situation he is exposed to and develops various emotions and thoughts towards it. Of course, these feelings and thoughts are expressed through behaviors. “Why is my child acting like this?” The answer to the question actually emerges by understanding these feelings and thoughts and examining the traumatic experience that created these feelings and thoughts. The child may not be able to express himself after the traumatic experience. The effects of this traumatic experience may appear at later ages. Traumatic events that children experience directly or indirectly cause various symptoms, especially behavioral and mood disorders. To relieve these symptoms, EMDR primarily focuses on past experiences that are the source of these symptoms.
Can EMDR be applied to children?
EMDR can be easily applied to individuals in almost every age group. Of course, there will be differences between the application applied to adults and the application applied to children. But research shows that EMDR can help resolve symptoms in children. He claims that it is a technique that is also effective in Since it is a fun technique for children, the application process is efficient. In this process, family support for treatment is of great importance.
How is EMDR Applied to Children?
In children, it is usually done by touching the right and left knees or shoulders respectively. With these touches, bidirectional stimulation is provided to the right and left lobes of the child's brain. Thanks to this bidirectional stimulation, the child becomes insensitive to the traumatic experience. This technique does not mean that the memory is completely erased from the mind. The aim is to desensitize the child to this memory and to eliminate the symptoms caused by this memory.
For Which Symptoms is EMDR Applied in Children?
EMDR in children is used in the treatment of many traumatic experiences, especially diseases, sibling jealousy, birth trauma, mourning, harassment and abuse. Apart from trauma, it is also a technique used in the treatment of many disorders seen in children, such as attachment problems, attention deficit, learning disorder, behavioral disorders, mood disorders, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.
Who Can Apply EMDR to Children?
You should pay special attention to the fact that the person you receive EMDR therapy for your child's mental health is an expert who has completed the Child EMDR Training at the EMDR Turkey Association. It is important to pay attention to this so that a non-professional intervention does not have negative effects on your child's mental health. EMDR application to children can only be performed by experts who have completed the certified Child EMDR training of the EMDR Turkey Association.
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