Local therapist hopes to make EMDR a household term in Berkshir...

Thank you, Kelly Bevan, for writing such a wonderful article about EMDR, and helping to inform the Berkshire Community that a very effective and evidence based model of psychotherapy exists.
EMDR was placed in the "A" category as “strongly recommended” for the treatment of trauma.
It has been accepted by The American Psychiatric Association, 2004 (Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Acute Stress Disorder and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder), The American Psychological Association, and The Department of Veteran Affairs and The Department of Defense (VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Post-Traumatic Stress. Washington, DC.).
16 randomized controlled (and 8 nonrandomized) studies have been conducted on EMDR in the treatment of trauma.
For the full research list: visit the EMDR Institute website: www.emdr.com .
I just wanted to add that the best way to find an EMDR therapist in your area is to contact either the EMDR Institute, at www.emdr.com , or, the EMDR International Association at, www.emdria.org .
The EMDR Institute website lists all EMDR therapists who have completed the full EMDR training.
The EMDRIA website, however, will only list EMDR therapists who have fulfilled the additional requirements in order to become EMDRIA Certified. These requirements include completing a specific number of EMDR sessions with clients, an additional 20 hours of consultation with an EMDRIA Approved Consultant, in addition to several letters of recommendation.

Correction:

I would like to correct something I said in the above post.

EMDRIA will post the names of all EMDR therapists who are members of EMDRIA. They are no longer just listing those who are Certified or Approved Consultants.

Please excuse my error.

Valerie A Sheehan, LICSW

As a clinical psychologist who has been using EMDR for 10 years (and certified by the EMDR International Association) I am delighted to see this powerful therapeutic approach get some recognition. EMDR has many applications and can be used in conjunction with a variety of orientations. While there are some professionals who remain skeptical of EMDR's claims the research supporting its efficacy is very robust. It is a collaborative approach that empowers the client to heal her/himself. When it works it tends to work very quickly, particularly when compared to other forms of treatment. It includes techniques to re-invigorate positive experiences as internal resources. It is very exciting to be working with this cutting edge, yet research validated, treatment that seamlessly heals body/mind/spirit.