EMDR and Somatic Interventions for Children and Adolescent
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.
EMDR and Somatic Interventions for Children and Adolescent
Presented by Cathy Schweitzer
and Stefanie Armstrong
Friday, December 11, 2026
(Canada / USA)
Live Online via Zoom
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
Children and adolescents may find it difficult to put their experiences into words, yet bodily sensations, movement, and shifts in arousal can offer meaningful opportunities for therapeutic exploration. Integrating developmentally appropriate somatic interventions into EMDR therapy can help clinicians respond to these experiences with greater flexibility and attunement.
This workshop explores practical ways to incorporate body awareness and body-based strategies across the eight phases of EMDR therapy while maintaining fidelity to the EMDR model. Participants will examine how to help children and youth notice and communicate bodily sensations, access resources, and remain connected to the present during therapeutic work.
Clinical examples will illustrate how grounding, movement, sensory supports, and child-friendly language can be adapted to a young person’s developmental level, preferences, and capacity for emotional regulation. Attention will be given to recognizing signs of overwhelm or disengagement, adjusting the pace of treatment, and identifying when further preparation is needed before reprocessing.
Designed for clinicians providing EMDR therapy to children and adolescents, this workshop offers practical approaches to supporting regulation, engagement, and processing while respecting each young person’s comfort, choice, and individual needs.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
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Identify at least three (3) somatic or body-based interventions that can support regulation, engagement, and processing in EMDR therapy with children and adolescents.
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Explain how nervous system regulation and developmental needs inform the use of somatic interventions across the EMDR phases.
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Use developmentally appropriate somatic strategies to support stabilization, emotional regulation, and readiness for reprocessing with younger clients.
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Demonstrate how to safely integrate a somatic awareness or body-based intervention into one phase of EMDR therapy with a child or adolescent client.
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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Introduction to Somatic Interventions in EMDR Therapy with children and teenagers
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Nervous System Regulation and Developmental Considerations
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Recognizing developmental differences in body awareness and emotional expression
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Identifying signs of activation, overwhelm, and disengagement
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Considering consent, choice, sensory preferences, and readiness for body-focused work
12:30 pm - 12:45 pm
Break
12:45 pm - 2:00 pm
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Phases 1–2: Incorporating somatic observations into assessment, treatment planning, and preparation
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Using grounding, movement, and sensory supports to develop individualized resources
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Phase 3: Helping children and adolescents identify and describe target-related bodily sensations
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Phases 4–6: Attending to bodily shifts while supporting the client’s own processing
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Phase 7: Using developmentally appropriate strategies for closure
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Phase 8: Reevaluating bodily responses and between-session experiences
2:00 pm - 2:15 pm
Break
2:15 pm - 3:30 pm
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Selecting interventions that match developmental needs and treatment goals
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Adjusting pacing when attention to bodily sensations increases distress
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Recognizing when to return to preparation or modify an intervention
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Involving caregivers in appropriate between-session regulation support
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Integrating somatic strategies through clinical examples and discussion
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.