Accessing Preverbal Trauma Using EMDR Therapy

February 6-7, 2026

9am-4:30pm EST

Online via Zoom

(link to be provided after registration)

About the Course

This training will share strategies for adapting EMDR Therapy Standard Protocol for use with individuals who have experienced preverbal trauma. Modifications to the 8-phase standard protocol include completing comprehensive history taking, teaching specific preparation strategies, and the use of interweaves to implement during desensitization through re-evaluation phases. Examples of case conceptualization using standard protocol will be presented. The advanced EMDR therapy Early Trauma Protocol by Paulsen & O'Shea (2017) will be introduced and overviewed for use with clients with whom standard protocol is not working. The phase 2 resource strategy, "updating biological circuits," will be overviewed and practiced in a practicum setting. Participants will practice targeting preverbal time frames using the Early Trauma advanced protocol in a practicum setting. Using the tenents of the Adaptive Information Processing Model, this workshop will explore strategies to identify and resolve unprocessed information that is dysfunctionally held as a result of trauma.

This is a live, online training. This is an intermediate-level course. Attendance at all live sessions, and course evaluation is required to receive a CE Certificate. Course evaluations are made available after all live sessions have been completed within this course portal. Upon completing the evaluation, participants will be able to download their CE certificates. 

Required Reading: Paulsen, S. & O'Shea, K. (2017). When there are no words: Repairing early trauma and neglect from the attachment period with EMDR therapy. Create Space Independent Publishing. 


Partial EMDR Therapy Training is required for attendance at this event.
This training does not take the place of or meet the requirements for EMDR Therapy Foundational Training.


Pricing:

$550 Generative Access

$450 Traditional/Sustaining Access

$350 Supported Access

For more about our tiered pricing model: visit this link

Access to continuing education can be a financial burden, and RCC feels passionate about making training accessible to all communities.  We also recognize the impact of systemic racism on accessibility to training and education specifically for individuals that identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and other traditionally underrepresented persons of color (BIPOC). We are proud to offer a discounted rate for training in an effort to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our training and larger EMDR therapy communities.  Please use the coupon code BIPOC at checkout.

Please note that discounts and scholarships cannot exclude any person from applying.


This course meets the requirements for 12 Continuing Education credit hours by the CE approval bodies listed below:

American Psychological Association (APA)

Rutti Counseling & Consultation is approved by American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Rutti Counseling & Consultation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

National Board for Certified Counselors

Rutti Counseling & Consultation has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7546. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Rutti Counseling & Consultation is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.


State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board

Rutti Counseling & Consultation has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7546. Continuing education credits approved by NBCC are accepted by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board by submitting your certificate of completion reflecting NBCC credits to CE Broker following the completion of training. 


EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)

Rutti Counseling & Consultation is an EC Provider (#24060) and this program (#24060-06) is approved for 12 EMDRIA credits. Eligibility for EMDRIA credits is restricted to those who have completed an EMDRIA-Approved Basic EMDR Training.


A General Note About Approvals

Please also note that national sponsors are accepted by many state boards. In these cases, separate paperwork may or may not need to be filled out. In some states, pre- or post-program approval forms must be sent, and you are responsible for checking into the rules of the licensure board in your state as to what is required. Please let Rutti Counseling & Consultation know if you need support documentation in any way for these pre or post-program approval applications.


Rutti Counseling & Consultation maintains responsibility for the operations of the training, including training delivery, registration, and staffing of the training.


Objectives

  1. Describe the neurobiology of trauma as it relates to the triune brain model

  2. Discuss the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) Model and how it fits into Janet’s 3-Stage Consensus Model of trauma treatment.

  3. Explain EMDR Therapy’s model, methodology and mechanism within the context of the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) Model

  4. List the 8 phases of EMDR therapy 

  5. Describe the purpose of using themes to set up Phase 1 History Taking based on the AIP model and demonstrate a targeting sequence plan using a theme, negative cognition and touchstone memories.

  6. Demonstrate 2-3 Phase 2 Preparation strategies for practical use with clients 

  7. Complete a case conceptualization treatment plan using EMDR therapy language

  8. Describe 2-3 situations in which a cognitive interweave may be practical and identify an example of an interweave that may be applicable

  9. Observe an example of an EMDR therapy session that covers Phases 1-8.  

  10. Identify 2-3 populations that may have special considerations when using EMDR therapy

  11. List the requirements for completing basic training in EMDR therapy and identify the differences between “trained,” “certified” and “approved consultant” status with EMDRIA


Instructor(s)

Suzanne Rutti

Suzi Rutti, MSW, LISW-S owns and operates the private practice group Rutti Counseling & Consultation, LLC in Columbus, Ohio. She is a co-owner of Trauma and Wellness Institute, LLC and the Central Ohio EMDR Connection, LLC. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan with a concentration in Interpersonal Practice and Mental Health. She is a Clinical Social Worker that works with children, adolescents and adults of all ages, and does not have a minimum age requirement. She specializes in the treatment of complex PTSD, dissociation/dissociative disorders, preverbal trauma, sexual violence, childhood abuse, traumatic birth experience, intimate partner violence, and other adverse life experiences. Suzi primarily practices using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and also integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), play therapy, and mindfulness-based practices into her work. Suzi is an affiliate faculty member with The Institute for Creative Mindfulness and provides EMDR therapy foundational training and Advanced Training topics. She provides clinical supervision and EMDR therapy consultation as an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Approved Consultant to clinicians across the nation. Suzi believes in the importance of making high quality trauma treatment accessible to all communities, and has presented to numerous local and national audiences on a variety of topics relevant to the impact of trauma and how best to support survivors.

Anna Schott

As co-owner of Renew Wellnes, Anna Schott believes that real change comes from connecting the mind, body, and spirit utilizing a variety of holistic modalities and interventions. Anna is a LISW-S and earned her Masters in Social Work and Masters of Arts in Public Policy and Management through The Ohio State University. She earned her BA in Psychology from Denison University. She is trained in and utilizes EMDR therapy, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Therapy, and DBT. Anna is a Certified EMDR Therapist and an Approved Consultant through the EMDR International Association as well as an EMDR trainer and adjunct faculty member of the Institute for Creative Mindfulness. In addition to her clinical background, Anna is a Registered Yoga Teacher and teaches therapeutic yoga classes to clients of Renew Wellness. Anna is passionate about working with individual clients with complex trauma, attachment trauma, PTSD, dissociation, depression, anxiety, and addiction on a weekly basis and also offers EMDR intensive sessions on a case-by-case basis. In therapy, her specialty is to help clients reprocess negative beliefs about oneself and develop mindfulness skills, overcoming anxiety, depression, dissociation, complex and attachment trauma, addictions, and compulsive behaviors, freeing them to work towards discovering their best self. Anna also provides EMDR consultation to clinicians working towards their EMDR training requirements as well as certification. She co-facilitates EMDR basic trainings as an adjunct faculty of the Institute for Creative Mindfulness and co-founded Central Ohio EMDR Connection, which provides advanced EMDR therapy trainings. Anna enjoys expanding clinicians’ knowledge of EMDR therapy and demonstrating how to incorporate EMDR therapy into their own practices.

Instructor(s)

Tammy Moore

Tammy Moore, LISW-S is a clinical social worker with supervision designation with the Ohio Counselor Marriage and Family Therapist Board. She owns and operates her own private practice and is co-owner of Trauma and Wellness Institute, LLC. She has practiced social work since 2005 after graduating with a Master’s degree in Social Work from the Ohio State University. She is a trauma therapist who specializes in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Tammy is a certified EMDR consultant and a network faculty member with the Institute for Creative Mindfulness facilitating EMDR basic trainings. She also utilizes DBT skills, Cognitive processing therapy, trauma-focused CBT, art and play strategies for children, and mindfulness based interventions. Tammy is a local and national presenter of various trauma focused trainings ranging from trauma informed care, trauma recovery, secondary trauma, and impact of trauma on marginalized populations. In her clinical practice, Tammy focuses on treating childhood trauma and other adverse childhood experiences, complex PTSD, military trauma, LGBTQIA+ specific support needs, traumatized children, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, and dissociation. Tammy is committed to providing access to trauma recovery and education to patients and her community. She strives to provide treatment, training, and consultation from a lens of cultural humility, resiliency, respect, and collaboration.

Course curriculum

    1. About

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Objectives

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. Required Reading

    4. Informed Consent & Code of Conduct

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. Zoom Registration Link

    6. Land Acknowledgment

    7. Agenda

    1. Suzi Rutti, LISW-S

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Tammy Moore, LISW-S

    1. Course Slides

    2. Temporal Time Frames

    3. Feeling Circuits

    4. Preverbal History Taking

    5. Feelings Workbook

    6. Feelings Stories

    1. References

    2. Recommended Reading

    1. Copy of Completing Your Course Evaluation and Receiving Your CE Certificate

    2. Course Evaluation

About this course

  • $450.00
  • 19 lessons
  • 0 hours of video content