Has anyone's child had EMDR?

[Nogodsnomasters]

Hello all,

My ds10 with ASD has been struggling with his mental health this year after an event which left him traumatized. Today he had an assessment at CAHM's and they've said he's displaying quite a few symptoms of PTSD and have referred him for EMDR, the waiting list is around 8wks.

He cannot bear to talk about the trauma event or even listen to other people talk about it or hear anything remotely similar to it so I am really worried about how he might cope with imagining the trauma during the treatment.

Please someone reassure me that their child has gone through this treatment and coped okay with it and it helped in some way?

Sorry you're going through this; it sounds very difficult for you all.
If you use Facebook please consider joining the private group 'Parenting Mental Health'. There are many parents with children there who have undergone every kind of treatment who can offer great advice and support.

My dd has had EMDR to help her cope with PTSD from sexual abuse in her birth family. She has found it quite useful and clinically, she has fewer symptoms of PTSD even though she still suffers with low mood. She is 15 and was ready to have treatment - she has started talking a bit about the abuse (not to me but to friends and tia counsellor at school) and was keen to be referred to CAMHS. I am not sure whether your DS would manage if he not ready to talk about it at all, but you know him best. DD would not have managed at age 10 I don't think. She had sessions for 6 months and it was hard for her at the time but she did get better and now doesn't have flashbacks or nightmares at all.

Thank you so much for this. The lead mental health nurse said this therapy would be best suited to him because he only has to imagine the trauma but not speak out loud about it like he would in talking therapy or CBT. 10 is so young but I don't want to wait until he's older and this is further embedded in him, it's already destroying so many aspects of his life.

@Nogodsnomasters - you might have a free chat with Therese Langford of https://www.facebook.com/calmmindhypnotherapy about her approach (which might sound familiar!). X

I am an EMDR trained therapist but don’t work with children, so no direct experience.

in the training though the instructor had some v impressive (and touching) examples of EMDR with children. Some even toddler age (the protocol is adjusted for kids).

in general yes, EMDR is great when it’s difficult to talk about the event.

Sorry your DS has been through this ans good luck!

While you're waiting try games and activities that might help. Like drawing/painting - especially messy play. Playing Tetris has also helped with PTSD. Buy a sand tray and play with objects it. Get Playdoh and play with it together. Play rhythmic musical instruments together like drums or xylophone. Plenty of hugs and splashing at bathtime.

Don't talk about the traumatic event but listen to any fears he might have. Try not to look anxious yourself but appear confident he will be fine. Reassurihg too much can make someone feell there's something to worry about.

My 11yr old had EMDR over this past year and we have had excellent success - I feel like I’ve got my daughter back tbh. She was mute throughout the first few sessions but didn’t have to actually speak about the trauma just imagine it / think about it. They used a variety of techniques not just the finger following but also tapping a cushion

My daughter (9-10 then) had EMDR after one very traumatic accident and that was the only treatment that helped her turn a corner. She was back to her normal self after a few sessions, which ended two years of misery. She wasn't distressed by the process.

This is wonderful to hear. I really hope the same outcome for my son.

There is a thing called, "blind protocol," for EMDR, so DS won't necessarily need to think about the event.