EMDR and Dissociation: Clinical Decision-Making from a Transdiagnostic Lens

This training presents an integrative clinical framework for working with EMDR and dissociation, approached from a transdiagnostic perspective. Dissociative symptoms are understood as present across a wide range of disorders and in many clients, regardless of whether they meet criteria for a specific dissociative disorder.

Through clinical examples, the training illustrates the many ways dissociative symptoms can manifest during the different phases of EMDR therapy, ranging from subtle signs of disconnection to more complex internal blocks. These responses are understood as adaptive attempts by the client to manage emotional overload and maintain stability within the therapeutic process.

The training provides practical tips on what to do when dissociative symptoms emerge in session: how to identify them early, how to adjust pacing and intensity during EMDR trauma work, how to intervene to restore regulation and a sense of safety, and how to make informed clinical decisions about when to proceed or pause reprocessing. Adaptations of the EMDR protocol across different phases of treatment will be discussed, including guidance on when such adaptations are indicated and when they are not.

This training supports clinicians in developing a deeper and more practical understanding of dissociative symptoms within EMDR Therapy, enabling safer, more attuned interventions that promote stabilization, effective therapeutic work, and improved clinical outcomes across diagnostic presentations.