Course Structure – EMDR for Children & Young People Pathway
This training pathway is designed for therapists, counsellors, social workers, play therapists and other helping professionals who wish to use EMDR safely and effectively with children and young people (0–18 years).
The training is completed across three modules, which must be taken in sequence.
1) EMDR Module 1
Module 1 is the foundation training in EMDR and is the same for all practitioners, whether you intend to work with adults or children.
This module can be completed online or in person.
It introduces the core theory, structure and application of EMDR, including the standard 8-phase protocol, and provides the essential skills required to begin using EMDR safely in practice.
Contents of Module 1:
- What is EMDR? How does EMDR work?
- Indications and contraindications
- Safety precautions and side-effects
- EMDR in trauma therapy
- Understanding trauma and its impact
- Resource development and stabilisation
- The EMDR standard protocol in theory and practice
- Working with blockages and resistance
- Transference and counter-transference
- Live demonstration
After completing Module 1, participants will be able to begin applying the EMDR standard protocol within their existing scope of practice.
2) EMDR for Children & Young People (Module CYP 1 – ONLINE)
Module CYP 1 builds on the foundations of Module 1 and introduces how EMDR is adapted for children and adolescents across developmental stages.
This module focuses on creative, flexible and developmentally appropriate applications of the standard protocol, making EMDR accessible for younger clients.
Contents of Module CYP 2:
- Developmental adaptations of the EMDR 8-phase protocol
- Working with children from early years through to adolescence
- Creative resourcing and stabilisation techniques
- Narrative EMDR approaches
- Use of play, metaphor and imagination in processing
- Adapting EMDR language and structure for different ages
- Practical exercises and guided practice
After completing Module CYP 1, participants will have a solid understanding of how to adapt EMDR for use with children and adolescents in a safe and engaging way.
3) EMDR for Children & Young People (Module CYP 2 – In Person, LONDON)
Module CYP 3 is an advanced, practice-focused training, delivered in person, designed to deepen clinical confidence and support therapists in working with more complex child presentations.
This module focuses on applying the standard EMDR protocol flexibly with children, with particular attention to pacing, safety, and clinical decision-making.
There is a strong emphasis on live demonstrations, case examples, and extended supervised practice.
Contents of Module CYP 2:
- Applying EMDR to common child presentations, including:
- Anxiety and avoidance
- Specific phobias
- Grief and bereavement
- Bullying and relational trauma
- Sexual and physical abuse (with safeguarding considerations)
- Working flexibly with the EMDR protocol (including child-adapted approaches)
- Target selection in complex and relational trauma
- Working with shame, identity and belief systems
- Blocked processing and the use of interweaves with children
- Distancing techniques (e.g. sandtray, metaphor, imagery)
- Future template work to support confidence and resilience
- Live demonstrations and small group practice
After completing Module CYP 2, participants will feel more confident applying EMDR with children and adolescents across a range of presentations, within their professional scope of practice.
Progression Overview
- Module 1 – Learn the foundations of EMDR (adults and children)
- Module CYP 1 – Learn how to adapt EMDR for children and adolescents
- Module CYP 2 – Develop confidence applying EMDR with children in real clinical scenarios
Important Note
Participants must always work within their existing professional training, experience, and scope of practice.
Completion of these modules does not qualify practitioners to undertake specialist child trauma work beyond their level of training.
Training Facilitator Modules CYP1 and 2: Mia Von Scha
Course dates: you find all course dates here
Course fee: £420 per Module
