EMDR Considerations
For Clients with Complex PTSD
1.5 CE CREDITS
Target Audience: Social Workers, Counselors, Clinicians
Learning Level: Intermediate
Tuesday 6/10/25
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Location:
201 West 11th Street
Erie, PA 16501
Registration Ends: 6/9/25
Course Description
Description: Clients with Complex PTSD often present with chronic avoidance strategies, disrupted attachment patterns, and deep-seated negative self-cognitions. These symptoms are rooted in early and prolonged trauma exposure that impacts brain development and relational capacities. This 1.5 CE training will explore how to apply EMDR therapy with greater attunement to these complexities. We’ll discuss trauma’s impact on neurodevelopment, defense mechanisms like avoidance, and integrative approaches using EMDR protocols. Strategies such as targeting avoidance using Jim Knipe’s Level of Urge to Avoid (LOUA) scale and working with ego states through Internal Family Systems (IFS) techniques will be explored. Practical tools for pacing, stabilization, and building client safety will be discussed using illustrative case examples. Whether you’re new to EMDR or looking to deepen your work with complex clients, this training offers concrete methods to help clients move from survival-based defenses toward adaptive resolution.
Learning Objectives - After this training you will be able to:
- Describe the developmental and neurological impacts of complex trauma, including how survival-based adaptations affect self-image, emotional regulation, and relational capacity.
- Explain the role of avoidance as a protective defense mechanism in Complex PTSD and identify at least two ways it interferes with trauma processing.
- Describe EMDR-based strategies to assess and target avoidance behaviors, including the use of the Level of Urge to Avoid (LOUA) scale and image-based approaches.
- Identify key considerations for working with avoidant parts in EMDR therapy, including IFS-informed strategies for building cooperation and safety.
- Utilize constructive avoidance and imagery-based interventions to build internal safety and pacing for clients with limited psychological defenses.
Meet the Instructors:
Alicia Twilla, LPC
Alicia received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Allegheny College followed by a Masters of Science Degree in Community Counseling from Gannon University. She has been working in the mental health field for 22 years and has been a therapist since 2008. Alicia has specialized in treating trauma in both children and adults and since 2017 she has primarily been working with Veterans and their families. Alicia is an EMDRIA Approved Trainer and Consultant through the business she founded, Healing Pathways of NWPA. She is passionate about continuing to help people heal from trauma and also bringing trauma-informed consultation/training to other clinicians in our community.
Meet the Instructors:
Erin Bastow, MS, LPC, NCC
Erin is the Clinical Director at Harborcreek Youth Services in Erie, PA. She specializes in child and adolescent trauma therapy, family therapy, and complex trauma. Erin is a certified practitioner of EMDR and an EMDRIA approved consultant. In 2019, the Western New York Regional EMDR Network awarded her the “Pioneer Award” for her work to integrate EMDR therapy and expressive writing. She authored a chapter on the integration of EMDR and Writing Therapy in the recent book EMDR and Creative Arts Therapies published by Routledge. In addition to her work at HYS, she is also on the advisory board for Gannon University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and the advisory board of the Elizabeth Lee Black School, the approved private school at the Barber National Institute in Erie. Erin is on the Board of Directors at Camp Notre Dame in Fairview, PA, a non-profit organization that provides camping experiences for children and families as well as retreat accommodations for other non-profit groups.
Course Curriculum
Course Curriculum
Course interactivity
This is an in-person course with interaction between attendees and instructor(s). Interactions occur in real time. Some small group activities are included in this course.
CE Credits
Participants will receive 1.5 Continuing Education Credits upon completion of the workshop.
Course completion requirements
For in-person courses, sign-ins will be taken at the beginning and end of the session and monitored throughout the course. Attendees need to be in-person throughout the duration of the course. Attendees must be present for the full duration of the course to receive any CEs.
Attendees must complete a course evaluation to be considered as successfully completing this course.
Your CE certificate will be emailed as a .pdf attachment within 10 business days of course completion (for live courses).
How to Register
How to Register
This is a live, in-person course with interaction between attendees and instructor(s). Interactions occur in real time. Some small group activities are included in this course.
This is a live, in-person course with interaction between attendees and instructor(s). Interactions occur in real time. Some small group activities are included in this course.
EMDR Considerations for Clients with Complex PTSD
Free
-
A 1.5 CE Course providing insight for the EMDR therapist working with clients struggling with symptoms of Complex PTSD.
Disco Socks Productions LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7645. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Disco Socks Productions LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
EC Program Approval Number: #18018-3
Disco Sock Productions, [2116], is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: [2/3/25-2/3/26]. Social workers completing this course receive 6.5 continuing education credits.
