EMDR Therapy Treatment Considerations When Working With Pregnant and Postpartum Clients

Summary: 

Whether or not EMDR clinicians seek out to work with perinatal cases, they may have a pregnant client at some point on their caseload. Some clinicians may worry about whether it is safe to proceed with standardized EMDR therapy with their client, or whether they are restricted to using “resourcing” skills only. EMDR therapists who work with trauma response networks, in particular, may find themselves working with pregnant clients in crisis, and facing more pressing clinical decision points about whether to proceed with EMDR therapy, and if so, which protocols to choose.

This training will aid EMDR therapists in learning about the negative impacts of untreated trauma on a pregnant person and the developing fetus, highlighting the importance of intervention. Attendees will also learn about how studies have shown that EMDR therapy during pregnancy has been shown to decrease parental distress, PTSD symptoms, and decreased fears of the upcoming birth. Treatment considerations will be discussed, such as readiness, and which protocols might be preferable in various scenarios.
Using case examples and sharing the latest research, this training will empower attendees to have tangible skills to utilize with their pregnant and postpartum clients.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will learn about the prevalence of reproductive and birth trauma, and be able to name 5 common symptoms and themes. 
2. Attendees will learn about the negative impacts a birth parent’s untreated reproductive trauma and/or that chronic pervasive stress can have on the birthing person and developing fetus, and name 2-3 examples.
3. Attendees will be able to name 2-3 treatment considerations when working with pregnant clients using EMDR therapy.