EMDR Therapy Quarterly

The inaugural Learning Disability EMDR SIG meeting took place in May and brought together colleagues with a range of clinical and EMDR experience, creating a warm and supportive atmosphere. Members heard an inspiring example of successful EMDR processing using the standard protocol, supported by a person-centred explanation of the AIP model described as a “librarian and a pile of messy papers”. We are grateful to the individual who permitted this example to be shared.

It was particularly encouraging to welcome several clinicians currently undertaking EMDR training. Discussion focused on identifying suitable cases during training and the opportunities for gaining experience with clients who do not have learning disabilities, while recognising that people with learning disabilities can also be included as training cases if relatively few adaptations are required. The group also reflected on the anxiety commonly experienced by newly trained EMDR practitioners and acknowledged that this is a normal part of learning EMDR, rather than something unique to clinicians working in learning disability services.

The meeting concluded with a brief discussion about the storytelling approach in EMDR and signposted members to Using Stories in EMDR (Logie et al., 2024), available through the Trauma Response Network.

July’s meeting attracted 23 attendees and generated lively discussion about adapting EMDR language for people with learning disabilities. Members favoured a person-centred approach in which adaptations are made according to individual need. Examples included providing additional scaffolding to support understanding of negative cognitions, using visual aids to distinguish between “then” and “now”, drawing target images, and adapting SUD and VoC scales. Members also noted that many adaptations used with children and people with complex PTSD are particularly helpful when working with people with learning disabilities.

The final discussion explored members’ experiences of EMDR supervision. Most members received group supervision from consultants with child or adult mental health backgrounds, often alongside colleagues from mainstream services. A smaller number attended supervision with their EMDR-trained learning disability colleagues, while very few had access to supervisors with a learning disability background. Members were generally positive about the quality of supervision available to them, and there was strong interest in developing greater access to supervisors with learning disability experience.

Finally, Dr Jo Porter, Dr Emma Stevens and Dr Emma Hignett announced that they are currently writing a book on adapting EMDR for people with learning disabilities, which is expected to be published in late 2026. The next meeting will be 21^st September at 6pm. Email learningdisabilitiessig@emdrassociation.org.uk if you wish to come along.