Play Therapy: Development, Learning, and Therapy - EMDR Drumming Protocol and Processes: Embedding Expressive Arts into EMDR for work with Adolescents

Oct 15, 2026

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The integration of expressive arts into trauma therapy has drawn growing attention for its capacity to intensify healing and improve emotional processing. This article presents an EMDR Drumming Protocol and clinical process for at-risk adolescents, combining Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with rhythmic drumming. Grounded in neuroscience and trauma-informed care, the protocol uses embodied sound and rhythm to support bilateral stimulation, emotional release, neural integration, memory processing, and adaptive coping while offering clinician guidance and case discussion.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

EMDR

76 International Journal of the Whole Child 2025, VOL. 10, NO. 1 Play Therapy: Development, Learning, and Therapy EMDR Drumming Protocol and Processes: Embedding Expressive Arts into EMDR for work with Adolescents Susan Elswicka, Tracy Humphreysb, Gregory Washingtonc, Corey. Lattada-dUniversity of Memphis Dr. Susan Elswick, LCSW, LSSW, IMH-E, RPT-S obtained her Master of Social Work at University of Tennessee in 2006 and her Doctor of Education in Instructional and Curriculum leadership with a specialty in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of Memphis in 2011. She is currently a Full Professor and Interim Department Chair within the Social Work Department. Dr. Susan Elswick has over 18 years of clinical mental health experience that includes community mental health, case management, residential programming, ABA-based programming, school-based programming, parent coaching, integrated behavioral health, infant mental health, and home-based services. Her research interests include the use of evidence-based behavioral interventions for addressing clients’ needs, supporting schools in developing effective school-based mental health programs that are trauma-responsive, the use of expressive art therapies/ experiential therapies in the field of social work practice, and the use of informatics and technology in the field of social work. Dr. Elswick is an LCSW in AR, MS, and TN, and she is a licensed school social worker in TN. She is a nationally certified CBITS, TFCBT, AutPlay, and EMDR clinician. She is endorsed in Infant Mental Health in the state of TN, is Certified asan Animal Assisted Interventionist, and she is also a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S) . She is also a national trainer and supervisor for several evidence-based modalities and trauma-based interventions. Tracy L. Humphrey is the Project Coordinator for the School of Social Work at the University of Memphis. She has a Masters in Professional Counseling from Southern Christian University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Memphis. She is certified in EMDR, TF-CBT, and A-CRA. Gregory Washington, LCSW, Ph.D. is Director of the Center for the Advancement and Youth Development (CAYD); and a Full Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Memphis. Dr. Washington is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW that works as a community clinical practitioner and has practiced as an individual, family and group therapist in Illinois, Georgia, Arkansas and Tennessee. His research interests include culturallycentered empowerment methods and the risk and protective factors associated with youth and family development. A major goal of his work is to identify and promote the use of innovative mental health interventions. He has a particular focus on culturally-centered group 77 interventions that reduce the risk for disparities in behavioral health and incarceration outcomes among young people of color. Corey Latta, MA, PhD, LPC, holds graduate degrees in philosophy, literature, and counseling. He is an educator and private practice therapist. Corey specializes in the connections between experiential therapy, addiction recovery, and trauma processing. Corey leads trainings on narrative therapy and the therapeutic use of creative writing. Corey is the author of four books and numerous creative pieces. Abstract The integration of expressive arts into trauma therapy has garnered significant attention for its ability to enhance healing and emotional processing. This article explores a proposed EMDR Drumming Protocol and therapeutic process for at-risk youth. It is a novel approach that combines the therapeutic power of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with the expressive, rhythmic qualities of drumming. Grounded in neuroscience and traumainformed care, this protocol aims to deepen the therapeutic experience by using drumming as an embodied tool to facilitate emotional release, enhance bil

FAQs

What is the EMDR Drumming Protocol, and what does it combine?

It combines EMDR’s standard bilateral stimulation with expressive arts through rhythmic therapeutic drumming to deepen trauma processing and emotional regulation.

Why is drumming used alongside EMDR in this protocol?

Drumming creates a sensory-rich, embodied context that facilitates emotional release, supports bilateral stimulation, and helps neural integration for improved regulation and coping.

Who is the protocol intended for, and can it be adapted?

It is specifically administered to adolescents, and the article states it can be adapted and implemented across other demographic populations.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Hazel