504: EMDR with Adolescents with Curt Widhalm, LMFT

Nov 10, 2025

Curt Widhalm, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and EMDR expert, shares his transformative journey with EMDR after a bike accident. He discusses the crucial phases of EMDR, including preparation and reprocessing, tailored for adolescents. Curt emphasizes the importance of building trust with teens to enhance therapeutic outcomes. He explores adaptations for developmental needs and the integration of family dynamics in therapy. His insights on balancing individual and family therapy shed light on supporting adolescents through trauma.

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ANECDOTE

Bicycle Crash Sparked Personal EMDR Journey

Curt Widhalm described a severe bicycle accident that shattered his face and knocked out teeth.
He used EMDR after CBT failed and felt rapid emotional recovery that convinced him to bring EMDR to clients.

INSIGHT

Where EMDR Targets Trauma In The Brain

EMDR views trauma as stored in the nervous system and trapped in working memory rather than only in thoughts.
Bilateral stimulation helps move emotions from the limbic system into the prefrontal cortex for integrated processing.

ADVICE

Prepare Thoroughly Before Reprocessing

Build substantial therapeutic rapport and resource skills before starting reprocessing work with EMDR.
Teach grounding tools and bilateral-stimulation methods clients can use in and between sessions.

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Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week's episode is a replay from 2021 with Curt Widhalm, LMFT.

Curt is a group practice owner, podcaster and EMDR Consultant In Training based in Los Angeles, CA, In this replay episode, Curt explains more about EMDR and how he uses it with adolescents. He explains how he got into using EMDR after experiencing it himself following an accident, and some of the ins and outs of working with teens using this method.

Curt Widhalm is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CA. He is certified in EMDR and a consultant-in-training. His group practice specialises in working with teens and their families, especially those undergoing trauma or self-harm.

Curt is the co-founder of the Therapy Reimagined Conference and co-host with Katie Vernoy of "The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide" podcast. He teaches in the MFT programs at California State University-Northridge and Pepperdine University and is a member of the CAMFT Ethics Committee.

Curt Widhalm Online

https://therapyreimagined.com

Additional Resources:

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