How Parts Work & Polyvagal Theory Transform EMDR
You know EMDR. You know about Polyvagal Theory and parts work. But how do you bring them together when you're sitting across from a client with complex trauma?
Understanding these approaches individually is one thing. Knowing how to use them together when dissociation, protective parts, and nervous system responses complicate this work is another.
This advanced workshop explores how Polyvagal Theory and parts work can be integrated into the eight phases of EMDR, helping therapists better understand what's happening in their clients' nervous systems and internal systems. Through practical clinical examples, you'll explore strategies for assessing dissociation, strengthening preparation, and making more informed treatment decisions.
The goal isn't simply to learn more theory. It's to leave with practical strategies you can bring into your clinical sessions as soon as Monday morning.
UPCOMING DATES
Friday, OCT 30, 2026
11:00AM- 6:00PM ET | $200
October 30, 2026 | 11:00am-6:00pm EST
Are you an EMDR-trained clinician looking to refine your skills and confidently address today’s increasingly complex trauma presentations? Traditional EMDR protocols were built around single-incident PTSD, focusing on a known Criterion A event. But what happens when your clients present with Complex PTSD and dissociative features? How do you adapt your assessment, treatment planning, and preparation to ensure effective reprocessing?
Friday, JAN 29, 2027
11:00AM- 6:00PM ET | $220
Are you an EMDR-trained clinician looking to refine your skills and confidently address today’s increasingly complex trauma presentations? Traditional EMDR protocols were built around single-incident PTSD, focusing on a known Criterion A event. But what happens when your clients present with Complex PTSD and dissociative features? How do you adapt your assessment, treatment planning, and preparation to ensure effective reprocessing?
Friday, May 14, 2027
11:00AM- 6:00PM ET | $225
Are you an EMDR-trained clinician looking to refine your skills and confidently address today’s increasingly complex trauma presentations? Traditional EMDR protocols were built around single-incident PTSD, focusing on a known Criterion A event. But what happens when your clients present with Complex PTSD and dissociative features? How do you adapt your assessment, treatment planning, and preparation to ensure effective reprocessing?
Strengthen Your EMDR Foundation: Revisit key EMDR principles, including target sequence planning and the three-pronged approach, and explore how to adapt your clinical approach for complex trauma presentations.
Assess Dissociation and Complex Trauma: Learn to identify Complex PTSD and dissociative responses, using assessment tools such as the DES and MID, including Paula's color-coded DES approach, to inform treatment planning and preparation.
Connect Nervous System States With Protective Parts: Explore how Polyvagal Theory and parts work come together to identify autonomic states using the green, yellow, and red framework, understand what activates protective responses, and connect those responses to the client's internal system.
Build Readiness for Reprocessing: Learn practical strategies for engaging protective parts, strengthening stabilization, and helping clients practice shifting between nervous system states before moving into memory work.
Integrate Parts Work and Polyvagal Theory Into EMDR: Explore how these approaches can inform clinical decisions throughout the eight phases of EMDR, with particular attention to assessment, preparation, and adapting the early phases for clients with complex trauma.
What you'll learn
Training details
Instructor: Paula P. Merucci, LCSW, CADC
Format: Live Virtual Training via Zoom
Continuing Education: 6 CEUs
Prerequisite: Completion of an EMDRIA Approved EMDR Basic Training course.