501: EMDR Protocol For Attachment Trauma In Children with Debra Wesselmann
Therapy Chat
Laura Reagan, LCSW-C
4.4 • 762 Ratings
🗓️ 20 October 2025
⏱️ 66 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
This week, I'm speaking with Debra Wesselmann about attachment injuries in children and families. We discussed the importance of early intervention in attachment wounds, the integration of EMDR therapy, and the development of the Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for Children.
The conversation highlights the complexities of parent-child dynamics in therapy and the profound impact of trauma on children's development. Wesselmann shares insights on how therapists can create a safe and supportive environment for healing, emphasizing the need for collaboration between parents and therapists to foster healthier attachments and emotional regulation in children.
Debra Wesselmann, MS, LIMHP has specialized in treating attachment trauma for over 30 years. In 2008, along with several like-minded colleagues, she co-founded The Attachment and Trauma Center of Nebraska, where she co-developed and researched the integrative family therapy and EMDR therapy model for treating attachment trauma in children. In addition to her clinical work, she offers trainings and is on faculty with the EMDR Institute. She’s authored and co-authored several articles, chapters, and books related to attachment and trauma, including the updated and expanded “EMDR and Family Therapy: Integrative Treatment for Attachment Trauma in Children, 2nd edition.
Learn more about Debra at: https://debrawesselmann.com/
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Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Therapy Notes is the highest rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health |
| 0:05.1 | professionals. It's all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, |
| 0:10.2 | from connecting with clients via secure messages to scheduling, notes, billing, and more. |
| 0:15.0 | You can trust Therapy Notes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service |
| 0:20.3 | with a live person. It's beyond easy to get help |
| 0:23.1 | over the phone or by email at any time of day from their knowledgeable and friendly representatives. |
| 0:27.9 | The best time to give Therapy Notes a try is now. Sign up for your free trial by going to |
| 0:32.2 | TherapyNotes.com, clicking Start My Free Trial, and accessing your first two months free with the promo code chat. |
| 0:38.6 | CY Therapy Notes is the most trusted E.HR for behavioral health professionals today. |
| 0:43.4 | Therapy Chat Podcasts, episode 501. |
| 0:47.8 | This is the Therapy Chat podcast with Laura Regan, LCSWC. |
| 0:54.6 | The information shared in this podcast is not a substitute for seeking help from a licensed |
| 0:59.5 | mental health professional. |
| 1:01.9 | And now, here's your host, Laura Reagan, LCSWC. |
| 1:07.5 | Thank you. SWC. |
| 1:25.4 | Hi, welcome back to therapy chat. |
| 1:32.7 | This week I'm speaking with EMDR therapist and attachment expert Deborah Wesselman. We talked about attachment injuries that happen in childhood, the profound impact that these attachment wounds have on children's development, and how to create a safe and supportive |
| 1:45.7 | environment for healing, creating collaboration between parents and therapists so that children |
| 1:51.3 | can have healthier attachments and better ability to regulate their emotions. |
| 1:58.6 | Deborah spoke about the EMDR protocol she created called the Integrative |
| 2:04.3 | Attachment Trauma Protocol for Children. It was a wonderful conversation and I'm very excited to |
| 2:10.1 | share out with you. So let's dive right into my conversation with Deborah Wesselman. |
... |
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