This 6 hour program provides a comprehensive exploration of the historical, psychological, and social dimensions of child abuse, neglect, and intimate partner violence, focusing on their profound impact on individuals and families.

Participants will review the historical context of these issues, including their intersection, and define key terms while analyzing the prevalence and dispelling common myths. A key component of the training is an in-depth discussion of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) survey and its significant influence on brain development. Participants will identify two trauma therapy interventions specifically designed to support adult and child survivors of violence, with a particular focus on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. The core principles of EMDR—including the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, will be explored to demonstrate how they facilitate trauma resolution specifically for this population.

This program addresses the varied ways in which different populations respond to trauma, emphasizing sociocultural and individual factors that influence these responses. EMDR’s eight-phase protocol will be highlighted with its application in addressing the psychological wounds of abuse and neglect.

Participants will gain practical strategies for implementing EMDR techniques, including resource development and installation (RDI) to build resilience, as well as specific modifications for working with complex trauma and dissociation.

Theoretical frameworks for trauma treatment will be evaluated, along with the stages of recovery for survivors, equipping participants with tools to support individuals on their healing journey. By adopting a trauma-informed lens, this program offers critical insights and hands-on strategies for professionals working with survivors of child abuse, neglect, and intimate partner violence, integrating EMDR as a transformative therapeutic approach.