Being able to work successfully with clients with complex trauma means becoming adept at assessment and case conceptualization. We can do EMDR Therapy with complex trauma – whether that means an extended preparation period, using a progressive approach, or standard protocol. But this means that as clinicians, we need to understand the client’s needs and then match those with choosing the best approach for that client. There are a million specialty protocols for EMDR out there; most are adapted in some way from the standard protocol. If we master case conceptualization, we can rely on our clinical judgement rather than needing a special protocol for every presenting problem we encounter.​