Integration of Therapeutic Writing and EMDR Therapy
1.5 CE CREDITS
Target Audience: Social Workers, Counselors, Clinicians
Learning Level: Intermediate
Wednesday 11/12/2025
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Location:
201 West 11th Street
Erie, PA 16501
Registration Ends:
Course Description
Description: The benefits and effectiveness of therapeutic writing and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as trauma resolution therapies have been established through research and practice, but they have mostly been studied as independent interventions. This workshop will explore the ways in which the two modalities can be utilized together, including alignment of therapeutic writing with the phases of EMDR. Time will be dedicated to teaching a writing intervention that can be paired with bilateral stimulation and implemented in the desensitization phase. Available literature will be reviewed. Case examples will be shared. A group discussion will be held on the pros and cons as well as the opportunities for further implementation.
Learning Objectives - After this training you will be able to:
- Explain the ways in which therapeutic writing has been utilized for trauma resolution therapy.
- Distinguish where within the standard EMDR protocol therapeutic writing can be appropriately employed.
- Outline how therapeutic writing can be implemented into your current EMDR practice.
- Use at least two therapeutic writing interventions in conjunction with EMDR therapy.
Meet the Instructor:
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 must be present, in-person, for the full duration of the course to receive any CEs.
To successfully complete this course, attendees must complete a course evaluation (issued at the end of the session).
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.
Integration of Therapeutic Writing and EMDR
Free
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A 1.5 CE Course demonstrating how to utilize writing therapy and EMDR together.
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.
