Attachment-Based EMDR Therapy with Kids & Families

The Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for Children and Adolescents (IATP-C)

About Our IATP-C Training

Join us for a fun and playful two days and discover the EMDR Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for Children (IATP-C). The model is designed for kids and teens with tough histories and all the problems that go along with that – the social and emotional delays, the challenging behaviors, the mistrust, the avoidance. Kids removed from their bio homes benefit but also kids in bio homes impacted by generational trauma, early medical trauma, separations, parent mental illness, or parent substance abuse.

Includes:

  • Attachment Resource Development (ARD)

  • Self-Regulation Development and Installation (S-RDI)

  • EMDR for compulsive behaviors

  • The Trigger Tolerance Protocol

  • The EMD continuum triggers & traumas

  • Stories for the most heartbreaking histories

  • Modifications for substance exposure in utero, neurodivergence, and dissociation

You’ll develop skills for applying all 3 stages:

Stage 1) parent psychoeducation and case conceptualization.

Stage 2) EMDR and family therapy activities with kids and parents to build trust, calm dysregulation, and build good feelings.

Stage 3) EMDR modifications for gentle processing of triggers and traumas with complex kids, as well as making sense of the most difficult histories through therapeutic stories.

Choose Your Location

We’re always adding to our Trainings. Please check back or sign up for our newsletter for the latest trainings, with new dates & locations!

September 23-24, 2026
Charlottesville, Virginia

Instructors:

Debra Wesselmann, MS, LIMHP
Lindy Swimm, MAE, MSW, LCSW-S

Details & Registration

October 2-3, 2026
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Instructors:

Debra Wesselmann, MS, LIMHP
Renée Yoelin-Allen LCSW RPT-S

Details & Registration

In-Person Training
September 23-24, 2026
Charlottesville, Virginia

Attachment-Based EMDR Therapy with Kids and Families: The Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for Children and Adolescents (IATP-C)

Mistrust of adults, behavioral challenges, dissociation, avoidance, and developmental deficits can present obstacles to effective treatment in the therapy office. This presentation provides instruction in the steps of the EMDR Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for Children (IATP-C). A case series study here and in the Netherlands as well as single case studies here and in New Zealand have shown promising results for the IATP-C approach. Participants will develop skills for applying Stages 1 - 3, as well as making sense of the most difficult histories through therapeutic stories. Participants will gain skills for providing parent interactional interweaves, the art of EMDR “piecework,” and how to engage parents for stabilizing dissociation. Additionally, participants will be provided EMDR modifications that safely assist children and teens who are highly dissociative, neurodivergent, or impacted by prenatal substance exposure through trauma treatment.

The presentation incorporates discussion, videos, and practicum experiences that will allow you to become comfortable with applying these effective interventions

The Objectives

Participants will leave the training prepared to:

  1. Summarize the obstacles to recovery from trauma encountered in the treatment of children affected by attachment trauma.

  2. Describe 3 stages of the EMDR and family therapy integrative model for treating children with externalizing and internalizing symptoms related to attachment trauma.

  3. Describe the importance of play and a playful demeanor to minimize defenses and engage children and their caregivers during the preparation and stabilization phase of treatment for attachment trauma.

  4. Describe steps for EMDR resource development with children/teens to enhance capacity to access positive affect regarding self and relationship with caregivers.

  5. Explain the adaptive information processing theory in layman’s language that can be used to help parents recognize their child’s dysregulation and mistrust as driven by early traumatic experiences.

  6. Develop a therapeutic story that can provide needed adaptive information regarding difficult early experiences prior to reprocessing of individual traumatic events.

  7. Explain ways in which traumatized children with brain differences due to a history of prenatal substance exposure or neurodivergence can be appropriately supported and assisted by the therapist and parent throughout the therapeutic process.

  8. Summarize signs and symptoms of dissociation in children/teens pointing to the need for additional preparation phase strategies.

The Instructors

Lindy Swimm, MAE, MSW, LCSW-S

Debra Wesselmann, MS, LIMHP

Pricing

$285 to Repeat
$360 by September 9th
$385 after September 9th

PLEASE NOTE:

Basic EMDR Training is required to register for this training event.

This is an in-person training in Charlottesville, VA.

Riverbend Counseling Group
172 South Pantops Road
Charlottesville, VA 22911

Location

More Details & Schedule

CEs & Credits

12 EMDRIA Credits
12 Licensure CEs

Register Now

Additional Details

  • Debra Wesselmann, MS, LIMHP

    Debra is the author of the newly released IATP-C clinician guide, EMDR and Family Therapy: Integrative Treatment for Attachment Trauma in Children and the soon-to-be released Attachment Trauma in Kids: Integrative Strategies for Parents. She is a co-founder of The Attachment and Trauma Center of Nebraska and has specialized in treating attachment trauma for 35 years. Debra is an EMDR trainer with the EMDR Institute and is on the editorial board for The Journal of EMDR Practice and Research. She conducts research and has authored and co-authored multiple books, articles and chapters, including two chapters co-authored with EMDR founder Francine Shapiro, Ph.D. As a recognized expert in attachment issues, Debra presents nationally and internationally.

    Lindy Swimm MAE, MSW, LCSW-S

    Lindy is an EMDRIA Certified Consultant, Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for Children (IATP-C) Certification, Assisting Faculty for EMDRIA Approved Trainers, and TraumaPlay™ Certified Supervisor. Lindy specializes in attachment-based trauma treatment with children and families. She integrates EMDR, play, expressive interventions, and caregiver involvement to support regulation, trust, and healing for children with complex trauma histories.

    • Participants are required to attend the training in full, to receive CEs and EMDRIA credits. 

    • 100% refund by September 16th.

    • 50% refund or credit towards a future training by September 20th.

    • Any cancellations after September 20th will be a credit towards a future training.

    Questions?

    Contact Angi at angi.decapp@gmail.com

  • Schedule is in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

    12:30-1:15 

    Diving into problematic attachment patterns

    1:15-2:15

    • The basics of the IATP-C

    • Stage One Parent Psychoeducation and Case Conceptualization

    • Q & A

    2:15-2:30 BREAK

    2:30-4:15

    • Stage Two Family Therapy Activities

    • Q & A

    4:15-4:30 BREAK

    4:30-6:30

    • Foundational EMDR resourcing activities

    • Attachment Resource Development (ARD) Activities

    • Self-regulation Development and Installation (S-RDI)

    6:30-7:00

    • Q&A

  • Schedule is in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

    9:00-10:15

    • Moving into Phase 3 Family Therapy and EMDR Trigger Tolerance Protocol

    10:15-10:30 BREAK

    10:30-12:00

    • The Timeline and Therapeutic Stories

    • Q&A

    12:00-1:15 LUNCH

    1:15-2:45

    • Trauma work

    • Keeping parents present

    • Beginning EMDR phases 3-8 with support and safety, piecework, interactive interweaves

    2:45-3:00 BREAK

    3:00-4:30

    • Strategies and parent work to reduce dissociative symptoms in kids

    • Modifications to improve outcomes treating trauma for kids with neurodivergence and prenatal substance exposure

    4:30-4:45 

    • Q&A

  • Please check with your state licensing board on eligibility.

    • 12 EMDRIA Credits per part

    • EMDRIA Approval #: 01007-88

    • Certificates issued online through CE-Classes.com after workshop completion

    More Information on Continuing Education Credits & Accreditation

In-Person Training
October 2-3, 2026
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Attachment-Based EMDR Therapy with Kids and Families: The Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for Children and Adolescents (IATP-C)

Mistrust of adults, behavioral challenges, dissociation, avoidance, and developmental deficits can present obstacles to effective treatment in the therapy office. This presentation provides instruction in the steps of the EMDR Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for Children (IATP-C). A case series study here and in the Netherlands as well as single case studies here and in New Zealand have shown promising results for the IATP-C approach. Participants will develop skills for applying Stages 1 - 3, as well as making sense of the most difficult histories through therapeutic stories. Participants will gain skills for providing parent interactional interweaves, the art of EMDR “piecework,” and how to engage parents for stabilizing dissociation. Additionally, participants will be provided EMDR modifications that safely assist children and teens who are highly dissociative, neurodivergent, or impacted by prenatal substance exposure through trauma treatment.

The presentation incorporates discussion, videos, and practicum experiences that will allow you to become comfortable with applying these effective interventions

The Objectives

Participants will leave the training prepared to:

  1. Summarize the obstacles to recovery from trauma encountered in the treatment of children affected by attachment trauma.

  2. Describe 3 stages of the EMDR and family therapy integrative model for treating children with externalizing and internalizing symptoms related to attachment trauma.

  3. Describe the importance of play and a playful demeanor to minimize defenses and engage children and their caregivers during the preparation and stabilization phase of treatment for attachment trauma.

  4. Describe steps for EMDR resource development with children/teens to enhance capacity to access positive affect regarding self and relationship with caregivers.

  5. Explain the adaptive information processing theory in layman’s language that can be used to help parents recognize their child’s dysregulation and mistrust as driven by early traumatic experiences.

  6. Develop a therapeutic story that can provide needed adaptive information regarding difficult early experiences prior to reprocessing of individual traumatic events.

  7. Explain ways in which traumatized children with brain differences due to a history of prenatal substance exposure or neurodivergence can be appropriately supported and assisted by the therapist and parent throughout the therapeutic process.

  8. Summarize signs and symptoms of dissociation in children/teens pointing to the need for additional preparation phase strategies.

The Instructors

Debra Wesselmann, MS, LIMHP

Renée Yoelin-Allen LCSW RPT-S

Pricing

$285** to Repeat

$360 by September 18th
$385 after September 18th

**The repeat pricing only applies if you have taken the EMDR Kids & Family Training previously with the ATC Institute (Armstrong, Schweitzer, Wesselmann)

PLEASE NOTE:

Basic EMDR Training is required to register for this training event.

Location

This is an in-person training in Colorado Springs, CO.

COS City Hub
4304 Austin Bluffs Pkwy.
Colorado Springs, CO 80918

CE’s & Credits

12 EMDRIA Credits
12 Licensure CEs

Register Now
View Details & Schedule

Additional Details

  • Debra Wesselmann, MS, LIMHP

    Debra is the author of the newly released IATP-C clinician guide, EMDR and Family Therapy: Integrative Treatment for Attachment Trauma in Children and the soon-to-be released Attachment Trauma in Kids: Integrative Strategies for Parents. She is a co-founder of The Attachment and Trauma Center of Nebraska and has specialized in treating attachment trauma for 35 years. Debra is an EMDR trainer with the EMDR Institute and is on the editorial board for The Journal of EMDR Practice and Research. She conducts research and has authored and co-authored multiple books, articles and chapters, including two chapters co-authored with EMDR founder Francine Shapiro, Ph.D. As a recognized expert in attachment issues, Debra presents nationally and internationally.

    Lindy Swimm MAE, MSW, LCSW-S

    Lindy is an EMDRIA Certified Consultant, Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for Children (IATP-C) Certification, Assisting Faculty for EMDRIA Approved Trainers, and TraumaPlay™ Certified Supervisor. Lindy specializes in attachment-based trauma treatment with children and families. She integrates EMDR, play, expressive interventions, and caregiver involvement to support regulation, trust, and healing for children with complex trauma histories.

  • Participants are required to attend the training in full, to receive CEs and EMDRIA credits. 

    • 100% refund by September 16th.

    • 50% refund or credit towards a future training by September 20th.

    • Any cancellations after September 20th will be a credit towards a future training.

    QUESTIONS
    Contact Angi at angi.decapp@gmail.com

  • Schedule is in Mountain Daylight Time (MDT)

    9:00-10:15

    • Diving into problematic attachment patterns between parents and children

    • Q & A

    10:15-10:30 BREAK

    10:30-12:00

    • The basics of the integrative family therapy and EMDR therapy approach

    • Stage One Parent Psychoeducation and Case Conceptualization

    • Q & A

    12:00-1:00 LUNCH

    1:00-2:30

    • Stage Two Family Therapy Activities

    • Q & A

    2:30-2:45 BREAK

    2:45-4:00

    • Foundational EMDR resourcing activities

    • Attachment Resource Development (ARD) Activities

    • Self-regulation Development and Installation (S-RDI)

    4-4:30

    • Q&A

  • Schedule is in Mountain Daylight Time (MDT)

    9:00-10:15

    • Moving into Phase 3 Family Therapy and EMDR Trigger Tolerance Protocol

    • Transitioning into Timeline and Therapeutic Story

    10:15-10:30 BREAK

    10:30-12:00

    • The Timeline and Therapeutic Stories

    12:00-1:00 LUNCH

    1:00-2:30

    • Trauma work

    • Keeping parents present

    • Beginning EMDR phases 3-8 with support and safety, piecework, interactive interweaves

    2:30-2:45 BREAK

    2:45-4:00

    • Strategies and parent work to reduce dissociative symptoms in kids

    • Modifications to improve outcomes treating trauma for kids with neurodivergence and prenatal substance exposure

    4:00-4:30

    • Q&A

  • Please check with your state licensing board on eligibility.

    • 12 EMDRIA Credits per part

    • EMDRIA Approval #: 01007-88

    • Certificates issued online through CE-Classes.com after workshop completion

    More Information on Continuing Education Credits & Accreditation