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EMDR Therapy for toddlers and preschoolers aged 2 to 6
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JongStressVRIJ stands for
- Online & on location
- No waiting times, immediate help
- For everyone
- 1 permanent practitioner
EMDR therapy for toddlers and preschoolers at JongStressVRIJ
Does your child suffer from anxiety, panic, nightmares, anger, or even withdrawal? Does he or she have trouble sleeping, low self-esteem, or difficult-to-articulate emotions? Then EMDR therapy can be a valuable step. This scientifically proven method helps children and young people process stuck experiences and regain peace of mind and body.
Fast, effective help for young children who are stuck due to tension, anxiety or a difficult event.
EMDR often works even faster in children than in adults. Toddlers and preschoolers are in the midst of their development and process emotions and experiences very directly. When something traumatic happens, their little bodies can become quite sedentary, and this is reflected in their behavior.
EMDR helps young children to release tension, calm their nervous system and regain freedom in their development.
When does EMDR help young children?
EMDR is effective for:
- fear or panic
- sleep problems, nightmares
- extreme separation anxiety
- anger or tantrums that arise "suddenly"
- sudden behavior after an event
- hospital admission / medical procedures
- (near) accident
- death of someone close to you
- bullying
- parting
- overstimulation or feeling unsafe
- sounds or situations that cause tension
Children don't need to talk about what happened. They don't need to understand it. Their brains, however, respond immediately to EMDR.
How does EMDR work with toddlers and preschoolers?
Young children don't work with words, but with play, drawings, movement, and symbols. We fully support this.
A session can consist of:
- playing with dolls
- drawing or sculpting a situation
- a story with symbols
- working with cards
- simple bilateral stimulation (tapping or sounds)
- moving together to the rhythm of the BLS
We follow the child's experience, not the adult's. The child reveals where tension resides, and EMDR ensures that tension diminishes faster than talking could ever achieve.
The child does not have to tell what happened
Some children can't put their experiences into words. That's not a problem. In young children, EMDR works on:
- feeling
- body language
- behavior
- game
- small signals of stress or relief
We guide this process very calmly, step by step, so that the child feels safe.
Parents as a link
Parents are carefully involved throughout the process. During the preliminary phase, follow-up meetings, and monitoring behavioral changes at home, we work together on recovery. This collaboration not only strengthens the bond with your child but also your understanding of what's going on beneath the surface.
What does a trajectory look like?
Below we try to clearly explain how an EMDR process works.
Intake with parents
Before the intake, you will receive an intake form. The more carefully you complete it, the more effective the intake interview will be.
We'll discuss what you see in the behavior, what concerns you, and what might be going on. Often, just a little information is enough.
EMDR session(s) with the child
Short, playful, and tailored to the child's attention span. A session usually lasts 20–40 minutes.
Parent meeting
You will receive tools on how to connect at home, so that the processing continues.
Fast results
In young children we often see major differences within 1–3 sessions:
- less tension
- sleep better
- fewer tantrums
- calmer body
- more secure attachment behavior
- less fear
EMDR works really quickly with young children.
A personal and safe approach
What clients often appreciate about our approach at JongStressVRIJ is the small-scale approach and the personal touch. You'll always receive guidance from a single therapist. We work in a calm, safe environment—whether in person or online at your home. We believe in genuine attention, without labels or stigmas. Just you, as you are, with room to grow. Read more about our team here.
JongStressVRIJ stands for
- Online & on location
- No waiting times, immediate help
- For everyone
- 1 permanent practitioner
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Read our clients' experiences
Curious about the experiences of JongStressVRIJ clients? Read real-life testimonials here and discover how others have found their way to a stress-free life!
ReviewsThank you for all your wisdom. For all the wonderful insights. I felt seen and heard. It's exciting to go home with all these insights. My backpack is filled with valuable tools to approach things differently. I'm glad I gave myself this opportunity.
CUSTOMERS OF
JongStressVRIJ and Collaborations
EMDR Therapy at JongStressVRIJ: Help for Everyone, Wherever You Are
At JongStressVRIJ you are welcome at our locations in Zwaagdijk (2 locations) and Tuitjenhorn, where we welcome clients from all over North Holland and West Friesland. Whether you are from Alkmaar, Heerhugowaard, Purmerend, Horn, To put away, The Helder, Castricum or another location in the region, our team is ready to support you.
Do you live far away or prefer therapy from home? No problem! JongStressVRIJ also offers online EMDR therapy, so you can access our expert help anywhere in the Netherlands. Choose the method that suits you and take the first step toward a stress-free life.
