Training course completed in Paris: Treating dissociative disorders with EMDR, the gradual approach
On 26 and 27 June 2026, Dolores Mosquera delivered a training course in Paris
6/27/2026
Following numerous initial warnings about the risks and difficulties of using EMDR therapy with people with dissociative disorders, various approaches have been developed in recent years to adapt its procedures to the specific needs of this population.
Traditionally, many professionals considered that the use of EMDR should be limited to the treatment of traumatic memories in dissociative patients with a high level of functioning, and only after a prolonged preparatory phase supported by other therapeutic modalities. From this perspective, many survivors of severe trauma appeared unable to benefit from EMDR, or could only do so at very advanced stages of the therapeutic process.
During this training, a different perspective was explored through the ‘progressive approach’ developed by González and Mosquera (2012). Using clinical case examples and video clips, various EMDR interventions with dissociative patients were illustrated, and it was demonstrated how this model allows for the integration of adapted procedures from the earliest stages of treatment.
The seminar presented a comprehensive model for the application of EMDR therapy in the treatment of dissociative disorders, expanding on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model to address the forms of dysfunctionally stored information found in people who have suffered severe traumatic experiences and who present with dissociative phobias.
Throughout the training, participants worked on integrating new interventions into the different phases of the therapeutic process and explored in depth the application of specific clinical procedures based on progressive protocols. These procedures are particularly relevant when working with severely traumatised patients, including those with dissociative identity disorder and somatoform dissociation.