Working with trauma: art therapy & EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) - FULL

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a trauma therapy which can be used in conjunction with Art Psychotherapy to help address blocks, phobias, and anxiety. It is well evidenced as effective for PTSD. This course is aimed at those who are not trained in or using EMDR in their practice, yet. The course will provide an insight into EMDR methods and information about trainings.

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Please note BAAT staff work flexibly, contacting the office on the day or evening before the start date will not always be responded to prior to the course starting

*This course is open to all qualified professionals from the UK and Internationally**

EMDR used in art therapy sessions can speed up the therapeutic process and achieve results in a way that psychotherapy often cannot. EMDR has the potential to improve services, provide better value for money and produce stronger evidence of positive outcomes due to an inbuilt measuring scale. Self-care for people working with trauma is crucial, so vicarious trauma related to working within both the charitable and public sectors will also be addressed.

Group work, presentations, experiential (relaxation techniques), case studies (EMDR & Art Therapy combined). Child and adult case examples will be shared. Strategies for helping calm clients in distress, anger management, body based work (breathing exercises, mindfulness mediations), posture work. Increased awareness of vicarious trauma; how to recognise it and guard against. Understanding of what EMDR therapy is and how it can fit with an art therapy practice.

We will concentrate on EMDR therapy, what it is, how it is used and how it fits with art therapy. Art making will be used, EMDR itself will not be taught, it will be introduced. Signposting to EMDR training pathways: we will focus on coping and relaxation techniques for clients and professionals. Vicarious trauma and self-care for professionals will also be addressed. 

Lee Anna Simmons is a state registered art therapist and is also fully trained and accredited in EMDR therapy with specialist Child and Adolescent training. She is based in London and also working in the Balkans. Lee runs 'Social Art Therapy Ltd www.socialarttherapy.com, a small clinic in South East London and is partly based in Covent Garden www.EMDR.London. She uses EMDR & Art Psychotherapy to address specific blocks, phobias and past trauma. Lee has experience working in Adult Social Services in Greater London, a refugee camp and addiction centre in Lebanon, and primary, secondary and alternative provision schools in the UK. She also supervises social workers and therapists. Lee’s qualifications include a Masters in Art Psychotherapy from Goldsmiths University, and Masters in Art practice from Chelsea College of Art & Design, London. She is also qualified as a climbing instructor, occasionally taking people climbing as part of their trauma therapy.

Convenors: Lee Simmons