Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) For Teens and Tweens
Evidence-based therapy for Los Angeles adolescents working through trauma, anxiety, distressing experiences, fears, and reactions that can be difficult to move past.
Sometimes an experience is over, but your child’s mind and body continue to respond as though it isn’t. They may avoid certain situations, become overwhelmed by reminders, experience intrusive thoughts or memories, or have reactions that feel stronger than the situation in front of them.
EMDR helps the brain process experiences that still carry emotional weight, so they have less influence over how your child feels and responds in the present.
At Kincove, EMDR is adapted to your child’s age, needs, and readiness and can be used on its own or incorporated into ongoing individual therapy.
When EMDR Can Help
EMDR isn’t limited to one type of experience or diagnosis. We look at what your child is experiencing, how it’s affecting them, and what they need help working through to tailor the focus and pace.
EMDR may be used to address:
Trauma or distressing experiences
Anxiety, fears, or phobias
Intrusive memories or difficult reminders
Grief and loss
Bullying, rejection, or difficult relationship experiences
Medical experiences, accidents, or injuries
Experiences that have affected confidence or how a young person sees themselves
There doesn’t have to be one major event. Sometimes experiences build over time, and the connection between what happened and what your child is struggling with now may not be obvious.
What EMDR Looks Like for Tweens & Teens
1. Building Safety & Understanding
Your therapist first takes time to understand what your child has been experiencing, how it’s affecting them, and what they need support with. They’ll also help your child develop ways to feel grounded and manage difficult emotions before processing begins.
Your child will know what to expect and move at a pace that feels manageable.
2. Identifying What Feels Stuck
Together, the therapist and your child identify memories, situations, thoughts, or emotional responses that may be contributing to current difficulties.
This may involve a specific experience or a pattern of experiences that continues to affect how your child feels or responds.
3. Processing With EMDR
When your child is ready, the therapist uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or alternating tapping, while helping them process the thoughts, emotions, memories, and physical sensations connected to the experience.
Your child remains aware and in control throughout the process and can slow down or pause at any time.
4. Checking Progress
Over time, the therapist looks for changes in distress, reactions, beliefs, and behaviors.
Treatment is adjusted based on how your child responds rather than following a set pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure whether EMDR is the right fit for your child? Explore the FAQs below or reach out to talk through what you’re seeing and what you’re looking for.
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No. EMDR does not require someone to describe every detail of an experience aloud. The therapist needs enough information to understand what is being worked on, but a detailed retelling is not required.
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Readiness depends on more than age. We consider what your child is experiencing, current stability, their ability to manage difficult emotions, and how they respond when approaching what they want to work through.
Preparation is part of EMDR, and processing begins when the therapist and client have established enough support for the work.
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Parent involvement depends on your child’s age, needs, and the work being done.
Parents may provide background information, participate in check-ins, or receive guidance about supporting their child while protecting the privacy of the young person’s individual therapy.
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Yes. EMDR can be incorporated into ongoing individual therapy when appropriate rather than functioning as a completely separate treatment.
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There isn't a set number. A more recent or isolated experience may require less treatment than multiple or longstanding experiences that are connected to broader patterns. The therapist will continually assess how your child is responding and adjust the pace accordingly.