A rainbow-colored infinity symbol rests on top of layered sheets of paper in bright colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) on a blue background. Symbol of neurodiversity.

EMDR Therapy with Neurodivergent Clients: Three Things to Consider

By CompassionWorks

As we honor Autism Awareness Day and celebrate Neurodiversity throughout April, it’s a meaningful moment to reflect on how we as EMDR therapists can deepen our understanding of neurodivergent clients—and more importantly, meet their needs in therapy with greater sensitivity and skill.

Whether you’re working with clients with autism, ADHD, or heightened sensory experiences, one thing is clear: a one-size-fits-all model of therapy won’t work.

Here are three key considerations when using EMDR with neurodivergent clients.

Adapt the Preparation Phase Thoughtfully

Many neurodivergent clients benefit from an extended preparation phase. Emotional awareness, sensory regulation, and trust-building may take longer—and that’s okay.

Consider:

  • Using visuals, metaphors, or social stories to introduce emotional language and body awareness.
  • Breaking sessions into predictable routines with clear beginnings and endings.
  • Collaborating with caregivers (especially for child clients) to co-create safety.

Assessing readiness may mean redefining how we view connection and emotional insight.

Modify BLS and Processing to Prevent Overarousal

Neurodivergent clients—especially individuals with autism or ADHD—may become easily dysregulated by standard bilateral stimulation.

To support regulation:

  • Use shorter BLS sets with more frequent check-ins.
  • Allow clients to pause, stop, or modify the pace (e.g., with remote-control language like “rewind” or “pause”).
  • Try alternative BLS forms (tapping, sound, or visual tracking) based on sensory preferences.

Also, remember: Some clients may need more targets or repeated exposure to build generalization.

Honor Communication & Cognitive Differences

Not all clients can easily rate their distress, verbalize cognitions, or imagine future scenarios.

Helpful adaptations:

  • Skip or adjust SUD/VoC ratings when they become stuck points.
  • Use objects, drawings, or role-play to access imaginative or future template work.
  • Offer body-based prompts instead of verbal ones (e.g., “Where do you feel that in your body?”).
  • Avoid starting dialogue during cognitive interweaves—stick to processing unless necessary.

Neurodivergent clients aren’t resistant—they’re processing differently.

________________________________________________________________________________

Want to Go Deeper?

If you’re ready to explore these strategies in more detail, join our upcoming live online workshop:

  • Using EMDR Therapy with Neurodivergent Clients
  • April 19, 2025 | Live Online
  • Earn EMDRIA CE credits
  • $149 early bird (through April 12)

Led by Dr. Amanda Martin and Dr. José Carbajal, this workshop dives into real-case adaptations, therapist barriers, and video demonstrations of modified EMDR work.

️ SAVE YOUR SPOT!

________________________________________________________________________________

Final Thought

As therapists, we don’t need to “fix” neurodivergent clients—we need to support them in healing trauma, building resilience, and reclaiming emotional safety on their terms. And EMDR can be a powerful resource when delivered through a lens of flexibility, inclusion, and trust.

Natalia Monge

Ready to get started with CompassionWorks?

Find the EMDRIA-approved training that's right for you!
Learn More

Recent posts

Archives

Contact Us

0

Dr. Amanda Martin, LMFT-S, LPC, BCN

Amanda Martin holds a PhD in Family Therapy and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. With over 14 years of experience, she specializes in trauma therapy for individuals and families in residential and outpatient settings. Amanda also provides supervision for EMDR certification, EMDR consultants-in-training, and LMFT-Associates. Her mission is to help people find a healthy, joyful, and fulfilling path in life. Her warm, supportive, and interactive counseling style incorporates Symbolic Experiential Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, HeartMath, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Neurofeedback, and Collaborative Problem Solving.

Dr. Amber Quaranta-Leech, LPC-S

Amber holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Texas and Oklahoma and holds Supervisor credential for Texas. Amber is an EMDRIA consultant and trainer. She has over a decade of experience in the trauma field in work with uniformed services, domestic violence, childhood trauma and abuse, and recent mass trauma events. Amber provides consultation for EMDRIA certification, for consultants-in-training, and supervision for LPC-Associates. Amber continues to research the benefits of EMDR therapy with a variety of populations. Her goal is to help build strong clinicians who are well versed in trauma interventions to better support their clients. Amber sees a limited number of clients with a focus on trauma work, she is also a Certified Career Counselor and Certified through EAGALA to provide equine-assisted therapy. 

Dr. Jose Carbajal, LCSW

Dr. Jose Carbajal, a U.S. Army veteran, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and a master’s in theological studies from Baylor University, and a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. With over 15 years of clinical experience and extensive teaching experience, Jose specializes in trauma, sexual abuse recovery, domestic violence, and substance abuse. His research focuses on trauma interventions, neuroscience, and faith. He is EMDR Certified, an Approved Consultant, and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer, with numerous publications and professional presentations to his name.

Dr. Amber Quaranta-Leech, LPC-S

Amber holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Texas and Oklahoma and holds Supervisor credential for Texas. Amber is an EMDRIA consultant and trainer. She has over a decade of experience in the trauma field in work with uniformed services, domestic violence, childhood trauma and abuse, and recent mass trauma events. Amber provides consultation for EMDRIA certification, for consultants-in-training, and supervision for LPC-Associates. Amber continues to research the benefits of EMDR therapy with a variety of populations. Her goal is to help build strong clinicians who are well versed in trauma interventions to better support their clients. Amber sees a limited number of clients with a focus on trauma work, she is also a Certified Career Counselor and Certified through EAGALA to provide equine-assisted therapy. 

Dr. Jose Carbajal, LCSW

Dr. Jose Carbajal, a U.S. Army veteran, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and a master’s in theological studies from Baylor University, and a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. With over 15 years of clinical experience and extensive teaching experience, Jose specializes in trauma, sexual abuse recovery, domestic violence, and substance abuse. His research focuses on trauma interventions, neuroscience, and faith. He is EMDR Certified, an Approved Consultant, and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer, with numerous publications and professional presentations to his name.

Dr. Amanda Martin, LMFT-S, LPC, BCN

Amanda Martin holds a PhD in Family Therapy and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. With over 14 years of experience, she specializes in trauma therapy for individuals and families in residential and outpatient settings. Amanda also provides supervision for EMDR certification, EMDR consultants-in-training, and LMFT-Associates. Her mission is to help people find a healthy, joyful, and fulfilling path in life. Her warm, supportive, and interactive counseling style incorporates Symbolic Experiential Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, HeartMath, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Neurofeedback, and Collaborative Problem Solving.