EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapy that helps children process upsetting experiences so they no longer feel overwhelming.
Sometimes when children go through stressful or scary experiences, their brain has trouble fully processing what happened. The memory can get “stuck,” and reminders of the event may cause big emotions, anxiety, or behavior changes.
EMDR helps the brain finish processing those experiences in a safe and supportive way, allowing the child to feel calmer and more confident moving forward.
What is EMDR Therapy?
During EMDR, children may:
Talk about their experiences
Use drawing or play to express feelings
Follow gentle side-to-side movements, tapping, or sounds that help the brain process memories
Many children describe feeling lighter, calmer, and less bothered by the memories after EMDR.
Who is EMDR Therapy For?
EMDR can help children and teens who have experienced:
☆ Stressful or scary events
☆ Bullying
☆ Medical procedures or hospital stays
☆ Car accidents
☆ Loss of a loved one
☆ Family conflict or divorce
☆ Anxiety or panic
☆ Nightmares or sleep problems
☆ Big emotional reactions that seem to come out of nowhere
EMDR can also help children who may not remember a specific event but still seem anxious, easily overwhelmed, or emotionally sensitive.
What Problems Can EMDR Help With?
EMDR therapy is often used to help children who struggle with:
☆ Anxiety
☆ Trauma
☆ Nightmares or sleep issues
☆ Big emotional reactions
☆ Avoidance or fears
☆ Low self-confidence
☆ Difficulty regulating emotions
☆ School stress
☆ Behavioral changes after a stressful event
Many parents come to EMDR therapy when they notice their child is not acting like themselves anymore after something difficult happened.
What is EMDR?
A child-friendly explanation video from EMDR for Kids.
What EMDR Looks Like for Kids
At The Sandbox, EMDR is adapted specifically for children.
Sessions may include:
★ Play therapy
★ Drawing
★ Storytelling
★ Movement or tapping
★ Talking about feelings in a safe way
Children are never forced to talk about anything before they are ready. The process is gradual, supportive, and paced to your child’s needs.
How Parents Know EMDR Might Help
Parents often reach out when they notice:
★ Their child keeps bringing up the same upsetting memory
★ Big reactions to reminders of something that happened
★ Nightmares or fears that won’t go away
★ A sudden change in mood, behavior, or confidence
If something difficult happened and your child still seems stuck, EMDR can help their brain move forward instead of staying stuck in the past
Wondering if EMDR therapy could help your child?
Our therapists are trained in trauma-informed approaches and can help determine whether EMDR is the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a type of therapy that helps the brain process upsetting experiences so they no longer feel overwhelming. When a child goes through something stressful or scary, the memory can sometimes get “stuck,” causing anxiety, big emotions, or behavior changes. EMDR helps the brain process these memories in a healthy way so children can feel calmer and move forward.
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Yes. EMDR has been extensively researched and is considered a safe and effective therapy for children, teens, and adults. At The Sandbox, EMDR is adapted specifically for children and often includes play, drawing, movement, and storytelling to help them express and process their experiences in a developmentally appropriate way.
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EMDR therapy can help children who are struggling with:
Anxiety or excessive worry
Trauma or stressful life events
Nightmares or sleep difficulties
Bullying experiences
Fears and phobias
Emotional outbursts or behavioral changes
Low confidence or self-esteem
Stress related to family changes or loss
Many parents seek EMDR therapy when their child seems stuck after a difficult experience.
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EMDR therapy with children often looks different than therapy with adults. Sessions may include drawing, play therapy activities, storytelling, and gentle tapping or eye movements that help the brain process memories. Children are never forced to talk about anything before they are ready, and the process moves at a pace that feels safe and comfortable for them.
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Parents often reach out when they notice their child has changed after something stressful happened. This might look like increased anxiety, sleep problems, emotional outbursts, avoidance, or fears that weren’t there before. If your child seems stuck or overwhelmed by past experiences, EMDR therapy may help their brain process what happened so they can feel more secure and confident again.