EMDR for children is a well-established, evidence-based therapy that helps young people process distressing experiences and recover from trauma. Recommended by both NICE and the World Health Organisation, EMDR has been used successfully with children across the UK — including within NHS CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). But how exactly does it work with children, and how is the standard protocol adapted for younger clients? This guide answers those questions clearly and reassuringly.
Does EMDR Work for Children? What the Evidence Shows
The short answer is yes — and the evidence is strong. Randomised controlled trials have shown that EMDR is effective for children with PTSD from as young as four years old (de Jongh et al., 2024). A recent study examining the EMDR G-TEP (Group Traumatic Episode Protocol) found it reduced post-traumatic symptoms in children aged 6 to 17 years as effectively as other trauma protocols, across just five sessions.
Perhaps most encouragingly, a 2024 pilot study of parent-child EMDR therapy with very young children (aged 1.5 to 8 years) found that after six sessions, 79% of children no longer met the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis — with no dropout from the study. These are remarkable results, and they suggest that early intervention can be particularly powerful.
EMDR for children is now available in many NHS CAMHS services across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It is one of the recommended trauma-focused therapies for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, road traffic accidents, medical trauma, or other distressing events. If you are wondering whether your child might benefit, you are not alone in asking this question.
How Is EMDR Adapted for Children?
The adult EMDR protocol follows a structured eight-phase approach. When working with children, skilled therapists adapt this protocol to match the child’s developmental stage, communication style, and capacity to manage difficult emotions. The core principles remain the same — but the way the therapy looks and feels is often very different.
Using Play, Art, and Creative Approaches
Rather than relying on verbal discussion, child-friendly EMDR incorporates drawing, sandplay, storytelling, and imaginative exercises. A child might draw their ‘safe place’ or build it in a sandbox tray — using images and symbols rather than words to develop the internal resources they need before trauma processing begins.
The EMDR Drawing Protocol, developed and updated in 2024, is one example of an adaptation designed specifically for younger children. It uses a child’s own drawings as the focus of attention during bilateral stimulation, removing the need for verbal memory accounts entirely. This makes the approach feel more natural and less threatening for many young clients.
The Butterfly Hug and Child-Friendly Bilateral Stimulation
Bilateral stimulation — the rhythmic left-right movement that is central to EMDR — can feel strange or uncomfortable for young children if it involves following a therapist’s moving fingers with their eyes. In child-focused EMDR practice, therapists often use the Butterfly Hug instead.
The Butterfly Hug was developed by EMDR therapists Lucina Artigas and Ignacio Jarero in 1998 following Hurricane Pauline in Mexico, where it was first used with traumatised children in humanitarian settings. It involves crossing the arms over the chest and gently tapping each shoulder in turn — like the flapping wings of a butterfly. Children tend to take to it immediately, as it is simple, self-directed, and feels physically self-soothing.
Other child-friendly alternatives to eye movements include hand tapping (the therapist gently tapping the child’s hands or knees alternately), tactile buzzers held in each hand, or following a moving soft toy or light with the eyes. A skilled child EMDR therapist will always choose the method that feels most comfortable for that individual child.
Involving Parents and Carers
With younger children especially, EMDR therapy often involves parents or carers in the process. Parent-child EMDR is a relatively new but rapidly developing approach in which the caregiver is present in the room and plays an active role in supporting the child’s sense of safety and emotional regulation during sessions.
Research suggests this approach is not only effective at reducing trauma symptoms but also helps to strengthen the parent-child relationship alongside the processing work. For children whose early attachment experiences have been disrupted, this dual focus can be particularly valuable.
Shorter Sessions at the Child’s Own Pace
Children typically have shorter attention spans than adults, and their processing often happens very quickly. EMDR sessions with young children are usually shorter — often 30 to 45 minutes rather than the 50 to 90 minutes typical for adult sessions. Some therapists offer intensive formats, providing several shorter sessions in a week, which research suggests can be particularly effective for children with single-incident trauma.
Throughout all of this, the child’s pace leads the way. A good EMDR therapist will never push a child to process anything before they feel ready.
How Many Sessions Does a Child Need?
This varies depending on the child’s age, the nature of their experiences, and how they respond to treatment. For single-incident trauma — such as a road traffic accident, a medical procedure, or a one-off frightening event — research suggests that children often require fewer sessions than adults. Three to eight sessions is a common range for straightforward presentations.
For children with more complex or longstanding difficulties, a longer course of therapy may be needed. The good news is that children’s brains are highly plastic and adaptable — which may be one of the reasons EMDR often works so well at younger ages. Many parents are surprised by how quickly their child begins to show positive changes.
EMDR for Children in the UK: Access and Services
EMDR for children is available in a number of NHS CAMHS services across the UK, though access varies significantly by region. Some areas have well-developed trauma-focused pathways that include EMDR, whilst others are still building their capacity. Waiting lists for CAMHS in many parts of England can be lengthy.
For families who cannot access EMDR through the NHS, or who face long waits, private therapists who specialise in working with children and young people can offer EMDR therapy directly. When choosing a therapist, it is important to look for someone who is accredited by EMDR UK and who has specific experience and training in child EMDR — working with children requires specialist skills beyond the standard adult qualification.
Is EMDR Safe for Children?
Yes. EMDR is considered a safe treatment for children when delivered by a trained, qualified therapist. The eight-phase protocol includes extensive preparation — therapists invest significant time building resources and a sense of safety before any trauma processing begins. Dropout rates in child EMDR research are very low, and adverse events are rare.
Parents understandably have concerns about therapy that involves their child revisiting difficult experiences. A skilled child EMDR therapist will always work at the child’s pace, use the child’s own language and imagery, and ensure that the child feels safe, supported, and in control throughout. Your child will not be pushed to discuss or revisit anything they are not ready for.
The aim is always for the child to leave each session feeling calmer and more settled than when they arrived — not more distressed.
How Anne Turnbull Can Help
At Anne Turnbull Counselling, we offer EMDR therapy for children, young people, and adults, drawing on many years of experience in both school and private settings. We understand how worrying it can be to watch a child struggle, and we are here to help you and your family find a way through.
If you think your child may benefit from EMDR therapy, or if you simply want to find out more, please do get in touch. An initial conversation costs nothing, and we would be very happy to help you decide whether EMDR is the right step.
