What age can a child start EMDR?

EMDR has been successfully used with children as young as 4 years old. Therapists use age-appropriate adaptations such as the butterfly hug, storytelling, drawing, and play-based techniques. The approach is tailored to each child’s developmental stage and ability to engage.

How is EMDR adapted for kids?

Child-focused EMDR uses creative techniques like the butterfly hug (crossing arms over the chest and alternating taps), storytelling, drawing, sand trays, and games to make bilateral stimulation accessible and engaging. Sessions are shorter and more flexible than adult EMDR.

Do parents participate in their child’s EMDR sessions?

Parental involvement varies by age and situation. For younger children, parents typically participate in assessment and may be present during some processing sessions. For adolescents, the therapist often works one-on-one while keeping parents informed of progress. Your therapist will discuss the best approach for your family.

EMDR therapy for children and adolescents

EMDR is an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents starting from age 4, supported by over 70 child-focused studies and 25+ years of clinical use. A meta-analysis by Rodenburg et al. in Clinical Psychology Review found a significant effect size (d=0.56) for trauma symptom reduction in young people. Adapted protocols use techniques like the butterfly hug and play-based approaches. Loma matches families with EMDR-trained child therapists covered by insurance.

Understanding children & adolescents

Children and adolescents experience a wide range of challenges that can benefit from EMDR: trauma from abuse or neglect, phobias, social anxiety, depression, grief, bullying, medical procedures, and the effects of adverse childhood experiences. Young people often express distress differently than adults — through behavioral changes, regression, nightmares, or physical complaints. Early intervention can prevent childhood difficulties from developing into long-term mental health conditions.

How EMDR helps

EMDR for children uses age-appropriate adaptations of the standard 8-phase protocol. For younger children, therapists may use the butterfly hug (self-administered bilateral stimulation), storytelling, drawing, sand trays, and play-based techniques to make the process engaging and accessible. Adolescents often respond well to standard EMDR with minor modifications. The core mechanism is the same: bilateral stimulation helps the brain reprocess distressing memories and experiences, reducing their emotional charge and replacing negative beliefs with healthier ones.

What the research shows

Meta-analysis found a significant effect size (d=0.56) for EMDR in reducing trauma symptoms in children and adolescents. (Rodenburg et al., Clinical Psychology Review, 2009)
Over 70 child-focused EMDR studies demonstrate effectiveness for phobias, anxiety, depression, and trauma in children as young as 4. (Adler-Tapia & Settle, EMDR and the Art of Psychotherapy with Children, 2017)
EMDR was more effective than CBT for children with PTSD symptoms following a single traumatic event, with faster symptom improvement. (de Roos et al., Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2017)

What to expect

EMDR for children typically involves 4–12 sessions depending on the child’s age and the complexity of their concerns. Sessions are 45–60 minutes for younger children and up to 90 minutes for adolescents. Parents or caregivers are usually involved in the initial assessment and may participate in parts of treatment depending on the child’s age and needs. Therapists use creative, age-appropriate methods to keep children engaged throughout the process.

Typical course: 4–12 sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What age can a child start EMDR?: EMDR has been successfully used with children as young as 4 years old. Therapists use age-appropriate adaptations such as the butterfly hug, storytelling, drawing, and play-based techniques. The approach is tailored to each child’s developmental stage and ability to engage.
How is EMDR adapted for kids?: Child-focused EMDR uses creative techniques like the butterfly hug (crossing arms over the chest and alternating taps), storytelling, drawing, sand trays, and games to make bilateral stimulation accessible and engaging. Sessions are shorter and more flexible than adult EMDR.
Do parents participate in their child’s EMDR sessions?: Parental involvement varies by age and situation. For younger children, parents typically participate in assessment and may be present during some processing sessions. For adolescents, the therapist often works one-on-one while keeping parents informed of progress. Your therapist will discuss the best approach for your family.

Get matched with a verified, EMDR-trained therapist covered by your insurance — usually within 48 hours. In Texas? See EMDR therapy in Texas.