EMDR & Dissociation: Working with Parts Through The Meeting Place (LIVE, VIRTUAL)
Date:
September 18 - 19, 2025
About EMDR & Dissociation: Working with Parts Through the Meeting Place (9 EMDRIA Credits)
EMDR Therapists often struggle to identify and treat dissociation when working with clients who have complex trauma histories. This live webinar will discuss evidenced-based interventions EMDR Therapists can utilize when treating trauma with clients who experience dissociation. This training will provide an immersive learning experience through observation and practicing the “Meeting Place.”
Day One will focus on the trauma response of dissociation within the framework of Polyvagal theory; assessing for dissociative symptoms; treating dissociation using parts work - specifically the “Meeting Place” exercise; and adjustments to the standard eight phases of the EMDR process. Day one will provide extensive step-by-step instruction on how to use the “Meeting Place.”
Day Two will provide immersive learning experiences using the “Meeting Place.” First, the presenters will demonstrate use of the meeting place in real time in the role of the “therapist” with a volunteer participant in the role of “client.” Participants will then engage in small group practicums, rotating through the role of “client,” “observer,” and “therapist.” Day two will wrap up with focusing on areas of potential challenges when incorporating parts work with EMDR for dissociative clients; clinical interventions to implement during each phase of EMDR to address dissociation; and lastly strategies for therapist self care.
Title: EMDR & Dissociation: Working with Parts through the Meeting Place (Jennifer Jenkins-Boitnott & Melanie Stoudt) Date: September 18-19, 2025 EC Program Approval Number: #23026-15 EMDRIA Credits: 9
Day One Highlights:
Day 1 (September 18,2025 @ 10am-3:30pm EST on zoom)
- Overview of Window of Tolerance, Polyvagal Theory & Dissociation
- Screening & assessing for dissociative symptoms
- Treatment of dissociation + video examples of parts
- Live demonstration: Strengthening with BLS
- Pacing, progress, attunement & curiosity with parts
- Step-by-step instruction of The Meeting Place
- Script practice, clinical challenges, and real case examples
Day Two Highlights:
Day 2 (September 19, 2025 @ 10am-3:30pm EST on zoom)
- Grounding into practice with a calming exercise
- Live demo of The Meeting Place with a participant volunteer
- Debriefing & group learning from the live session
- Practicum: Triad breakout groups to rotate through therapist, client, and observer roles—with instructor support and feedback
- Integrating The Meeting Place with parts work and adjusting it across EMDR’s eight phases
- Focus on therapist self-care and sustainable practice
What Past Attendees are Saying
"This training was great! I appreciated the balance between content and demonstration and the ease/clarity with which the information was presented."
"It was wonderful! Loved all the case examples, scripts and overall vibe of the training!"
"Extremely knowledgeable and shared in a manner with ease to demonstrate/understand."
"The information was well presented. I liked the handouts."
"Just amazing time management, great presenting, amazing stuff covered, well done!!"
"This was a fabulous training! Melanie and Jennifer clearly spent a lot of time planning and organizing today's presentation. I was very impressed with the overall training and I learned so much, but did not feel overwhelmed. Thank you both so much."
"This was an outstanding training. I've read about " the meeting place" , I've attended other training and did not feel prepared to implement the intervention. After today's training I feel confident in assisting clients and parts in establishing a meeting place."
"I really got a lot out of this training. Although I came in with some previous training in assessing dissociation, the review was helpful. The most informative part was the information about using meeting place. I feel like I am ready to go and try it with my clients."
"Excellent training. Trainers worked well together to provide the information."
"Great collaboration with each other and materials were excellent."
"Great training. A ton of useful information without being overwhelming."