Notice That EMDR Meets Play: Healing Through Curiosity and Connection with Christine Mark-Griffin
Jul 18, 2025
Christine Mark-Griffin, a licensed clinical social worker and author, discusses the fusion of EMDR and play therapy in her work with children. She reveals how using play as a therapeutic language unlocks healing and emphasizes the importance of engaging parents in the process. Christine explores innovative methods like incorporating digital platforms such as Roblox to make therapy relatable. She insists on the crucial need for more EMDR specialists for kids, highlighting the transformative potential of these techniques for young minds dealing with trauma.
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EMDR Extends Beyond The Script
- EMDR is more than the scripted protocol taught in weekend one; creativity and clinician personality matter after foundational training.
- Advanced trainings teach integrating EMDR with other modalities to meet clients where they are.
Think Systemically For Child Cases
- Case conceptualization for children requires mapping multiple related systems and adult figures, not treating the child in isolation.
- Expect to create several parallel EMDR conceptualizations for caregivers who influence the child's safety and attachment.
Include Caregivers Early
- Involve caregivers from the start and work concurrently with parents while preparing the child in phase one and two.
- Do EMDR or refer parents for parent-focused processing to remove barriers to healthy parenting before conjoint work.
