EMDR, Expressive Arts, and Dissociative Presentations

EMDR, Expressive Arts, and Dissociative Presentations

Facilitators: Marshall Lyles, LMFT-S, LPC-S, RPT-S, EMDRIA Approved Consultant

Date: April 17-18, 2026 (9a - 4:45pm CST for both days)

CEs: 12 EMDRIA CEs (EC Program Approval Number: #18012-33)

Description: Art-based creations and poetic practices have been healing agents across cultures and for generations. Both art and poetry offer space within a therapeutic context where time can momentarily pause as different inner voices receive the attention they need to feel empowered, even dissociatively-held parts of self. In this workshop, participants will enhance their work as clinicians by hearing about how the expressive arts can be embraced by EMDR clinicians in addressing trauma-related dissociative presentations.

Objectives:

1. Identify the basic tenets of EMDR and how they can be applied to expressive arts processes

2. Describe EMDR treatment planning for complex trauma needs

3. Discuss dissociation from a nervous system point-of-view

4. Describe attachment theory’s impact on treating dissociation with EMDR

5. Identify 3 healing outcomes of EMDR-informed expressive therapy with those impacted by a range of dissociative presentations

6. Apply attachment-aware expressive tools to EMDR resourcing for those with complex trauma related dissociation

7. Apply attachment-aware expressive tools to EMDR reprocessing for those with complex trauma related dissociation

8. Discuss client behaviors in expressive art EMDR sessions that can reveal pockets of emerging dissociation

Registration information: Participants will need to attend both days. The total cost is $420 and payment is due at registration.

Location: The training will occur at The Workshop, 300 Allen St., Austin, TX, 78702

Cancellation policy: Registration is non-refundable; any participant who needs to cancel is welcome to find someone to fill their spot. To address any concerns or to resolve any disputes regarding this event, email marshall.lyles.assistant@gmail.com