Effective Interweaves for EMDR Therapy with Children and Youth
Cathy Schweitzer (left), MS, LIMHP specializes in treating trauma resolution and attachment problems in children and adolescents.
Cathy is part of the treatment team that created the Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for the treatment of attachment trauma in children. She has co-authored books, chapters, and articles related to the treatment of attachment trauma.
Stefanie Armstrong (right) MS, LIMHP, is a licensed independent mental health practitioner. Stefanie specializes in treating trauma and attachment problems in children and adolescents. Stefanie helped develop the EMDR and Family Therapy Integrative Model: Treatment for Attachment Trauma in Children research project and co-facilitates trainings for the protocol around the country.
Effective Interweaves for EMDR Therapy with Children and Youth
Presented by Cathy Schweitzer
and Stefanie Armstrong
Wednesday, November 5, 2026
Live Online via Zoom
Introductory / Intermediate
1 YEAR access to the recording
Psychologists, Social Workers, Psychotherapists, MFTs, LPCs, graduate-level Counselors
*Completion of Part 1 of an EMDRIA approved Basic EMDR training is required to attend this program
$165 CAD + tax
$125 USD
Registration is now open
Workshop Description
When processing becomes blocked in EMDR therapy, knowing when and how to introduce an interweave can help clinicians respond with greater confidence and developmental sensitivity. This workshop explores the use of interweaves with children and adolescents, with attention to their developmental stage, communication style, relational experiences, and individual needs.
Participants will examine how to recognize stuck processing and distinguish situations that may benefit from an interweave from those requiring further preparation, stabilization, or assessment. Grounded in the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, the workshop will explore cognitive, somatic, relational, and creative approaches to themes such as responsibility, safety, and choice.
Through clinical examples and practical strategies, participants will learn how to adapt interweaves using child-friendly language, imagery, storytelling, movement, and play. Emphasis will be placed on brief, purposeful interventions that support the young person’s own associations and meaning-making, while avoiding suggestive language or imposing adult interpretations.
Designed for EMDR-trained clinicians, this workshop offers practical tools for navigating processing challenges and integrating developmentally attuned interweaves into EMDR therapy with children and adolescents.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
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Explain the purpose of cognitive interweaves in EMDR therapy and identify when an interweave may be clinically indicated during blocked or incomplete processing.
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Identify at least three (3) developmental, language-based, or relational considerations when adapting cognitive interweaves for children and adolescents.
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Use developmentally appropriate interweaves that support processing while maintaining safety, engagement, and emotional regulation.
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Demonstrate how to apply a play-based, attachment-informed, or developmentally appropriate interweave with a child or adolescent client during EMDR therapy.
Who should attend
✔ Psychologists, Social Workers, Psychotherapists, MFTs, LPCs, graduate-level Counselors, and Psychotherapists who have completed at least Part 1 of an EMDRIA approved Basic EMDR training.
✔ Therapists working with trauma, attachment wounds, and dissociation
✔ Therapists wanting clinical tools for working with children and their families/caregivers
The Envision Difference
100% Online via Zoom
Live Q&A with
Cathy Schweitzer
and Stefanie Armstrong
1 year access to the recording and materials
Certificate with CE's for home study version
Practical applicable clinical learning
Workshop Schedule - Eastern Time Zone (Canada / USA)
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
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Understanding Cognitive Interweaves and Recognizing Blocked Processing
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Differentiating blocked processing from a child’s need for additional time, regulation, preparation, clarification, or a change in bilateral stimulation
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Assessing common contributors to blocked processing
12:30 pm - 12:45 pm
Break
12:45 pm - 2:00 pm
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Developmentally Adapting Interweaves for Children and Adolescents
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Differences between interweaves for young children, school-aged children, and adolescents
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Considering developmental age, language capacity, cognitive development, attention, emotional regulation, and relational context
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Integrating visual, sensory, movement-based, experiential, and play-based approaches to introduce adaptive information
2:00 pm - 2:15 pm
Break
2:15 pm - 3:30 pm
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Considering attachment needs and the possible inclusion of caregivers or supportive figures
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Recognizing when an interweave is ineffective, overly directive, dysregulating, or developmentally mismatched
Continuing Education (CE) Credits:
4 CE credits/contact hours awarded
*CE credits also available for the home study version (watching the recording)!
See our FAQ section below for more information
American Psychological Association (APA)
Envision Counselling & Consulting, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Envision Counselling & Consulting, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Association of Social Work Board (ASWB)
Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program.
Envision Counselling and Consulting, Inc., #1895, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 1/19/2025-1/19/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 4 clinical continuing education credits.
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Envision Counselling and Consulting has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7241. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Envision Counselling and Consulting is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
Envision Counselling & Consulting, Inc. is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Envision Counselling & Consulting, Inc. maintains responsibility for the program.
Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
Envision Counselling & Consulting, Inc. is approved by the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) to sponsor continuing education. This workshop is approved for 4 CEC.
Envision Counselling & Consulting, Inc. is an EC Provider #18032 and this program is approved for 4 EMDRIA Credits.
Please ensure to check with your individual state boards/regulatory body to verify Continuing Education Credit Hours requirements and if the workshop you are planning to take qualifies. Licensing Boards change regulations often and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about a specific course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling.
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About Cathy Schweitzer (left), MS, LIMHP and Stefanie Armstrong (right) MS, LIMHP
Cathy Schweitzer (left), MS, LIMHP specializes in treating trauma resolution and attachment problems in children and adolescents.
Cathy is part of the treatment team that created the Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for the treatment of attachment trauma in children. She has co-authored books, chapters, and articles related to the treatment of attachment trauma.
Cathy is an EMDRIA Approved certified EMDR therapist and consultant and provides consultation to professionals across the country.
Stefanie Armstrong (right) MS, LIMHP, is a licensed independent mental health practitioner. Stefanie specializes in treating trauma and attachment problems in children and adolescents. She is certified in EMDR and is an EMDRIA approved EMDR consultant. Stefanie helped develop the EMDR and Family Therapy Integrative Model: Treatment for Attachment Trauma in Children research project and co-facilitates trainings for the protocol around the country.
She has co-authored books, chapters, and articles related to the treatment of attachment trauma.