EMDR Advanced Training
Neurodivergent Informed EMDR: Autism and ADHD
Trainer: Caroline Van Diest
Available on-demand.
Unlock a deeper understanding of neurodiversity in your practice with our specialized EMDR training, designed specifically to address the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals, including those with Autism and ADHD. In this two-day course, you’ll explore the intricacies of neurodivergent presentations and learn how to adapt the standard EMDR protocol to improve engagement, outcomes, and accessibility. With practical insights and hands-on strategies, this training will empower you to confidently work with clients who often feel misunderstood or left behind by traditional therapeutic approaches.
Therapists often encounter clients whose neurodivergent traits make it challenging to engage in conventional EMDR. Whether it’s difficulties with emotional expression, cognitive rigidity, or issues maintaining focus, the standard EMDR protocol may not always fit. This course offers solutions. We’ll dive into real-world examples, providing tools to adapt treatment in a way that aligns with each client’s unique needs, ensuring EMDR therapy remains effective while maintaining fidelity to the core phases of treatment.
Through this training, you will not only enhance your ability to understand and support your neurodivergent clients but also bridge the gap between neurodivergent experiences and trauma processing. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how neurodevelopmental differences affect trauma responses, and how to structure EMDR interventions to be neuro-affirmative and effective. This is an opportunity to address common challenges such as difficulties with emotional regulation and attentional control, all while maintaining the integrity of the EMDR model.
Join a community of therapists committed to fostering a neurodiverse-affirming practice. As neurodiversity awareness continues to grow, your ability to offer tailored therapeutic experiences will set you apart, enabling you to create more meaningful and impactful therapeutic alliances with clients who often struggle to find accessible, understanding care. This training will give you the confidence, skills, and creativity to make EMDR a viable and successful option for all clients, regardless of their neurodivergent traits.
This course was recorded on December 5-6th, 2024.
Available for synchronous-online or asynchronous-on demand learning.
Free resource from Caroline Van Diest
Download this free regulation resources for EMDR Phase 2 Preparation guide.Â
COURSE DETAILS
Following a massive increase in awareness and acknowledgment of Neurodiversity in society, some therapists and therapy services continue to grapple with their own anxieties or discomfort about working with Neurodiverse individuals. With such a potentially broad spectrum of presentation, it is universally agreed one size does not fit all. However, today access and adaptation to therapy modalities can offer a challenge for clients and therapists alike.
Join us for two half days journeying into a greater understanding of Neurodiversity (in particular, Autism and ADHD). The aim is to develop a deeper understanding of the experiences and the potential impacts of Neurodivergence for individuals living in this world. Pairing this understanding with the AIP Model for EMDR we explore formulations, strategies to aid engagement in EMDR, and potential adaptations to Shapiro’s 8-phased treatment protocol.
Participants will learn to conceptualize Neurodivergent presentations, and develop case conceptualization to inform EMDR interventions. Learn how to develop a neuro-affirming practice, that aligns with client strengths and unique presentations. You’ll learn differential diagnosis and presentations for Autism, ADHD, and trauma related presentations. Dive into the 8 phases of EMDR, and learn appropriate modifications for reprocessing along with ways to work with cognitions, emotions and somatic experiences. Learn aligned protocols to support phases 4-7 of EMDR with the Neurodivergent toolbox. Most importantly, learn the importance of staying adaptive and flexible as an EMDR therapist in your work with Neurodivergent presentations.
This training will increase your confidence, skill set, and creativity when working with Neurodiverse individuals. You’ll learn techniques to make EMDR more accessible and support positive treatment outcomes throughout the 8 phases of EMDR.
AGENDA
Day 1
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Intro Day 1
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Understanding neurodivergence, ADHD and Autism. History and how it influences us today.
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A way of understanding difference. Diagnosis and why EMDR therapists need to understand different presentations of Neurodivergence.
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Feeding back into the therapy room. Neuro-affirmative practice. How and what to consider
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Q & A
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Autism, ADHD, and trauma current issues. Linking the tracks journeying through Autism, ADHD, and Trauma. Interactions with EMDR. Exercise thinking clients experience.
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Initial 3 areas for understanding the person
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Q & A
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Preverbal treatment planning techniques
Day 2
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Intro and brief recap
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EMDR Formulation, Phase 1 introducing the formulation tool. Characteristics, experience, and responses.
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Cognitions, emotion, body, behavior. Adverse events. Present difficulties.
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Resources and phase 2 preparation strategies
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Q & A
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Research & Protocols (Phases 3-7) – Learn the 3 pillars and the Neurodivergent toolbox: COFFA protocol and adaptations.
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Formulation, attunement, and summary
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
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Participants will be able to identify the individuals’ Neurodiverse needs and presentations and how this influences their life and experiences
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Participants will be able to list key practical considerations for the therapy environment to support Neurodiverse individuals
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Participants will identify a wider perspective of trauma than referred to in PTSD DSM Manual
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Participants will be able to develop appropriate EMDR formulations and treatment plans to assist the client in meeting goals for therapy
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Participants will be able to apply creative strategies to prepare a client for trauma processing (Phase 2 build aip and develop regulation skills)
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Participants will be able to analyze the purpose of each of the 8 phases of EMDR in order to consider potential adaptations
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Participants will be able to create reasonable adjustments to promote engagement and accessibility when processing with EMDR whilst keeping the fidelity of the model
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Participants will be able to utilize the EMDR NDI Formulation tool and The Autism EMDR Toolbox
ABOUT YOUR TRAINER, CAROLINE VAN DIEST
Caroline Van Diest is a Senior EMDR Europe Accredited trainer at Mindsync EMDR Training and Trauma Therapist Institute. Her teaching style has been described as highly effective, safe, informative, energizing, and encouraging, enabling her audience to positively learn and develop their clinical practice to
a high standard.
Caroline has presented numerous trainings over the 10 years with the theme of understanding Neurodivergence and formulating and adapting CBT and EMDR Therapies to best meet clients’ needs. She has presented at two EMDR UK Conferences, engaged in and published research on the use of EMDR For Autistic individuals, co-authored a chapter in a book (Psychological Therapies for Adults with autism D Spain et al (2022) participated in Russell Hurn’s EMDR UK Association podcast. Caroline is the chairperson for the ND & EMDR special interest group (EMDR UK Association) providing a supportive network for other therapists. Whilst training and supervising a key number of therapists in the UK. Caroline currently works in private practice (Synthesa Therapy) supporting older children and adults of all ages with a range of psychological needs.
Caroline has both professional and personal experience of Neurodiversity. She offers herself purely as an exploratory colleague with an open mind, willing and keen to explore ideas to enhance therapy and advocate for the client. She is known for her passion and enthusiasm and with a very natural open humorous style she is complimented for her therapy, teaching, and supervision. Personally, she loves living in the countryside with her family (beautiful amazing daughter and adorable hubby (He is also an EMDR Trainer) caring for a menagerie of animals, wandering in the forest, working in the garden, or wrestling with her work-life balance and desire for connectivity with others and creativity!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
