ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a model for combining Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and art therapy for the Gen Z population (young people born in the United States between 1997 and 2007). Adolescents and young adults have increased rates of depression, anxiety, addiction, reports of loneliness, and suicide attempts compared to previous generations. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these worrisome trends. The chapter offers techniques for enhancing eight phases of EMDR through a variety of art therapy directives identified in multiple case studies. Art prompts, scripts, and case studies for art directives offer readers a comprehensive understanding for creative case conceptualization using EMDR with adolescents and young adults. When EMDR and art therapy are combined, these two disciplines can be incredibly effective and transformative, serving as a new avenue to meet specific needs of young people. Newer research revealing the unique stage of brain development during adolescence reinforces the need to enhance EMDR protocols for adolescents and young adults with the creative interventions of art therapy. This comprehensive model includes a conceptual framework to understand this generation and to provide ideas and directives. Each creative intervention is designed to be replicated by clinicians to help young people. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)