EMDR Refresher and Renewal: Deepening the Work through Play Therapy and Expressive Arts

Facilitators: Jackie Flynn and Marshall Lyles

Dates: October 21st-23rd, 2026

Location: Marshall Lyles’s Workshop, 300 Allen St., Austin, TX 78702

Description: Returning to Fidelity and Creativity in EMDR is a three-day, in-person refresher for therapists who have completed EMDR Basic Training and want to feel more confident in the eight phases while bringing play therapy and expressive arts into the work with fidelity.

You already know EMDR changes lives, but sometimes the details blur. The phases can feel overwhelming, and you may wonder if you are practicing with fidelity or unintentionally missing something important. At the same time, you may love play therapy, Sandtray, art, poetry, movement, and storytelling because you have seen how these methods reach places words cannot. This training brings those worlds together with clarity, support, and grounded practice.

What This Training Offers: This EMDR refresher was created for therapists who want to return to the foundations of EMDR while learning how to integrate expressive methods in a way that strengthens, rather than dilutes, the model. Across three days in Marshall’s training space in Austin, participants will revisit each phase with clarity, reverence, and support. The training includes step-by-step review of all eight phases, demonstrations, supervised dyadic practice, and reflection with colleagues who share similar values.

This is not another lecture. It is a guided training experience designed to rebuild confidence, sharpen clinical skills, and support therapists in weaving creativity into EMDR while honoring fidelity.

Who Should Attend: This training is for clinicians who have completed an EMDRIA approved Basic Training, want a clear review of all eight phases, value fidelity, and are eager to bring play therapy and expressive methods into EMDR. It is especially suited for participants who learn best through practice, reflection, demonstration, and supportive feedback.

The Three-Day Plan:

Day One: Returning to Foundations

Participants will review the Adaptive Information Processing model and its clinical implications, explore attachment, dissociation, and neurobiology in case conceptualization, revisit Phase One and Phase Two with expressive and play therapy integration, and participate in demonstration and dyadic practice.

Day Two: Deepening Fidelity

Participants will review Phases Three through Seven, explore play therapy applications for assessment, processing, and closure, engage with demonstration video and group reflection, and participate in supervised dyadic practicum.

Day Three: Weaving Fidelity and Creativity

Participants will ground their work in EMDRIA standards, explore Sandtray, drawing, and storytelling for resourcing and target identification, participate in demonstration and group discussion, and complete supervised dyadic practicum with reflection.

Meet Your Trainers:

Jackie Flynn, EdS, LMHC-S, RPT-S™

EMDRIA Approved Trainer and Consultant. Creator of EMDR Playground™, EMDR with Kids™, and Play Therapy Community®. Jackie integrates play therapy, Sandtray, and expressive arts into EMDR while holding fidelity as the anchor. She has trained hundreds of clinicians worldwide and is known for clarity, compassion, and respect for the nervous system.

Marshall Lyles, LPC-S, LMFT-S, RPT-S™

EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Marshall is internationally recognized for his work in Sandtray, attachment, and expressive modalities. His Austin workshop is intentionally designed for learning that feels grounded, safe, and deeply engaging.

What You Will Receive: Registration includes 18 hours of live, in-person training, a quick fidelity reference guide, phase supporting card deck and integration tools, play therapy integration inspiration, reflection prompts, and a resource list.

NBCC

Jackie Flynn Consulting has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 8022. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Jackie Flynn Consulting is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

This live, interactive course provides 18 NBCC hours.

NBCC credit is available only to participants who attend the full live training and complete all course requirements.

EMDRIA

EMDRIA Approved Provider EC Program Approval Number: PENDING

EMDRIA Credits: PENDING

Eligibility for EMDRIA credits is restricted to those who have completed an EMDRIA-Approved Basic EMDR Training.

Association for Play Therapy

This course provides 18 live contact CE hours.

APT Approved Provider: Jacqueline Flynn

APT Approved Provider Number: 20-628

World Association for Sand Therapy Professionals

Jacqueline Flynn is recognized by the World Association of Sand Therapy Professionals as a Registered Sand Therapist-Consultant/Trainer (RST-C/T). Certificate No. 179

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need to have experience with play therapy to attend?

No. All methods are explained and demonstrated. You will learn how to integrate Sandtray, art, and storytelling without prior training.

Is this training appropriate if I mainly work with adults?

Yes. While the emphasis is on children and adolescents, the methods apply across ages. The fidelity review strengthens practice with any population.

What if I feel rusty with the eight phases?

That is exactly what this training is for. Each phase will be revisited step by step, with demonstrations, practice, and reflection to rebuild confidence.

How many people will be in the training?

Spots are limited to preserve a small, supportive environment where every participant receives attention and feedback.

Will I get materials to use after the training?

Yes. Participants will receive a workbook, quick references, card decks, and resources to support practice after the training ends.

Registration info: Registration includes 18 hours of in-person training, workbook, quick references, phase supporting card decks, CE credits, and supervised practice. Spots are limited, and registration is first come, first served.

All required training information, including learning objectives, session descriptions, continuing education details, and instructor credentials, can be found in the Agenda and CE Information tabs on the main training page.