JENNIFER JOHNSTON, LCSWR

Consultation Facilitator

Jennifer “Jenn” Johnston, LCSWR is a Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant-in-Training (CIT). Jenn is a seasoned clinical social worker who has found her passion in working with first responders and military members in her practice in western New York.

Jenn has training and experience in working with adults and children challenged with depression, mood disorders, trauma, grief, anxiety, ADHD, and psychosis. She is also trained in using EMDR in recent, critical events (RTEP), intensive EMDR, groups (GTEP), and in integrating EMDR with Internal Family Systems. She is dedicated to doing research with first responders to help further the delivery of evidence-based EMDR interventions with this population.

Jenn enjoys teaching and mentoring other therapists in supervision and consultation, and appreciates the synergy of shared knowledge and collaboration.

To learn more about Jenn’s professional background and services, including therapy and consultation, please visit https://calmseapsyc.com/team/jenn-johnston/.

BARBARA BARRY, LMFT

Consultation Facilitator

Barbara Barry, LMFT is a Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDR Consultant-In-Training (CIT). She has been in private practice since 2015 in Palm Springs, California, where, as the only therapist in her area to welcome Medi-Cal clients, Barbara works with adults in underserved communities.

As it is her strong belief that both mental and physical wellness are the keys to achieving a fulfilling life, Barbara’s practice of wellness-based therapy takes an integrated approach, utilizing EMDR therapy coupled with the pillars of wellness: sleep, exercise, and food patterns.

Early in her EMDR career, Barbara founded the Palm Springs EMDR Consultation Group for local therapists wanting to enhance skills and discuss cases. Barbara is passionate about EMDR and enjoys working with clinicians interested in becoming skilled EMDR therapists.

To learn more about Barbara’s professional background and services, including therapy and consultation, please visit https://welllnessbasedtherapy.com.

RACHEAL RHOADES, LMFT

Consultation Facilitator

Racheal Rhoades, LMFT is a Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Racheal has been licensed and practicing in California since 2006. She currently runs a telehealth-based private practice, where she specializes in utilizing EMDR Therapy to treat veterans and first responders. Racheal is trained in using EMDR in recent, critical events (RTEP) and with groups (GTEP).

Racheal enjoys teaching and mentoring other therapists in consultation.

To learn more about Racheal’s professional background and services, including therapy and consultation, please visit www.socaltherapyworks.org.

JENNY WATT, RCC

Consultation Facilitator

Jenny Watt, RCC is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and a Certified EMDR Therapist who has been in private practice since 2012 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Jenny is the founder of the EMDR Therapy Group, where she provides consultation to EMDR-trained therapists, supervises master’s level practicum students, and works with clients who desire to heal from painful experiences.

Prior to private practice, Jenny worked with marginalized children and families in non-profit settings, where she discovered the importance of trauma and resiliency-informed practice, and became dedicated to trauma work.

Jenny is excited to be a Consultation Facilitator with EMDR Education and Training Center and share her passion in supporting therapists become confident and skilled EMDR therapists.

To learn more about Jenny’s professional background and services, including therapy and consultation, please visit https://emdrbc.com/about-jenny-watt.

LUZ ROBLES, PsyD

Consultation Facilitator

Luz Robles, PsyD, LCSW is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in California and Nevada. She is the founder of Lucero Wellbeing, a group practice providing trauma-informed therapy, EMDR, and comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological assessment services. She is an EMDRIA-Certified Clinician and Consultant-in-Training.

Luz specializes in working with first responders, service members, and both children and adults navigating trauma, anxiety, and complex life experiences, with a strong emphasis on culturally responsive care for Spanish-speaking and underserved communities. She integrates EMDR Therapy with CBT and attachment-informed approaches, and has advanced training in complex and developmental trauma.

Her background includes training in Clinical Rehabilitation Psychology, clinical research and she also she also serves as an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University, where she teaches graduate and doctoral-level courses and mentors developing clinicians.

To learn more about Luz Robles’ professional background and services, please visit www.lucerowellbeing.com.

JANE BASSATT-WINCHELL, LCSW

Consultation Facilitator

Jane Bassatt-Winchell, LCSW, is a Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. As a clinician, Jane has worked with clients of many backgrounds: youth and their families involved with the juvenile justice system, addiction, and with unhoused veterans.

Jane currently serves as the Clinic Coordinator for the outpatient PTSD clinic for the Veterans Administration in San Jose, California, where she has earned certification in Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as well as Exposure Relaxation and Rescription Therapy for Nightmares. Jane has completed level-1 training for Internal Family Systems Therapy. Jane also has a private practice where she predominantly sees clients who have experienced trauma.

To learn more about Jane’s professional background and services, including therapy and consultation, please visit janewinchell.com.

CHRISTINA NARENSKY, PSYD

Consultation Facilitator

Christina Narensky, PsyD is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and an EMDRIA Approved Consultant. She has a private practice in Alameda, California, where she provides consultation to EMDR-trained therapists, and offers trauma-informed care for a variety of clinical concerns.

Utilizing EMDR Therapy and IFS-informed EMDR, Christina works with adults and adolescents navigating difficult transitions, challenging behaviors, complex trauma, and trauma-related dissociation. Her work incorporates psychedelic assisted psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), Memory Reconsolidation Therapy, and attachment-informed approaches to healing.

Christina has a background in clinical supervision, graduate level instruction, community mental health, school-based counseling, family therapy, and juvenile justice. She is a parent to people and pets, a partner, and an avid science fiction and fantasy fan.

To learn more about Christina’s professional background and services, including therapy and consultation, please visit www.drchristinanarensky.com.

Dena Robertson Blackford, LMFT

Consultation Facilitator

Dena Robertson Blackford, LMFT is a Certified EMDR Therapist, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, Practicum Supervisor at Sonoma Psychotherapy Institute, and an EMDRIA Approved Virtual Trainer in EMDR Therapy.

Dena was trained in EMDR in 2013, and has been in private practice in El Dorado Hills, California since that time. Dena specializes in treating adults with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.

To learn more about Dena’s professional background and services, please visit https://www.denarobertsonblackford.com/.

Why EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is an extensively researched and effective treatment for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. EMDR has proven beneficial for treating other stress-related disorders, such as anxiety, depression, OCD, addiction, and phobias.

Since its development in the 1980s, EMDR has expanded globally, and its reach now includes a wide range of international settings, from clinical practices to humanitarian interventions in conflict zones. Today, EMDR is practiced in over 100 countries worldwide.

Trauma and The Brain

Our brains have a natural way of recovering from traumatic or stressful events. While we are able to successfully resolve many experiences, some events can overload our system and require assistance to process.

EMDR therapy facilitates this process, helping the brain resolve these memories and restore normal functioning. While the memory remains, the associated disturbance diminishes, and the fight, flight, or freeze response is no longer triggered.

The goal of EMDR Therapy is to eliminate disturbances and negative symptoms, replacing them with positive emotions and sensations, as well as healthy behaviors and perspectives.

EMDR vs. Talk Therapy

A different approach to healing

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t rely on detailed discussions or homework. Instead, it activates troubling memories and harnesses the brain’s healing capacity to resolve them. This approach resolves distressing events and alleviates symptoms with fewer sessions and less effort than talk therapy.

Experiencing EMDR Therapy

EMDR is a structured therapy, involving 8 phases that evolve at a pace that is tailored to meet the individual needs of the client.

Phase 1: History Taking

Together with your therapist, you’ll identify specific trauma “targets” — past events, present triggers, or future challenges — that will be the focus of reprocessing during EMDR therapy.

Phase 2: Preparation

You and your therapist will work on building trust and practicing emotional regulation and grounding techniques. This phase also introduces bilateral stimulation (BLS) so that you feel comfortable and ready for reprocessing.

Phase 3: Assessment

Reprocessing begins by activating a specific memory. With your therapist, you’ll explore associated negative beliefs, emotions, physical sensations, and disturbance level. You’ll also identify a desired positive belief to replace the negative one.

Phase 4: Desensitization

While using BLS, you focus on the memory and observe changes, insights, and associations until the experience no longer feels disturbing. If challenges arise, your therapist intervenes to support the healing process.

Phase 5: Installation

To reinforce the benefits of reprocessing, you next focus on the memory and the desired positive belief, strengthening it with BLS until the belief feels completely true.

Phase 6: Body Scan

In the final reprocessing step, you scan your body for any lingering physical discomfort related to the memory. If tension remains, the therapist will use BLS to resolve it.

Phase 7: Closure

Before concluding the session, the therapist will lead you through exercises designed to help you feel calm, grounded, and prepared to return to daily life. This is also an opportunity to share thoughts and insights about the reprocessing with your therapist.

Phase 8: Re-Evaluation

At the start of each session, you and your therapist review your progress and discuss any new thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that have emerged. This process informs your treatment plan and supports long-term healing.

Get in touch!

Have questions or thoughts? I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to like, comment, or share this post with others who may benefit.

👉 Find an EMDR therapist: EMDRIA.org
👉 Get trained in EMDR therapy: EMDR Trainings
👉 Watch the video version of this blog: Youtube

EMAIL: info@emdreducationandtrainingcenter.com

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JENNIFER JOHNSTON, LCSWR

BARBARA BARRY, LMFT

RACHEAL RHOADES, LMFT

JENNY WATT, RCC

LUZ ROBLES, PsyD

JANE BASSATT-WINCHELL, LCSW

CHRISTINA NARENSKY, PSYD

Dena Robertson Blackford, LMFT

EMDR for Healing

Why EMDR?

Trauma and The Brain

EMDR vs. Talk Therapy

A different approach to healing

Experiencing EMDR Therapy

Phase 1: History Taking

Phase 2: Preparation

Phase 3: Assessment

Phase 4: Desensitization

Phase 5: Installation

Phase 6: Body Scan

Phase 7: Closure

Phase 8: Re-Evaluation

Get in touch!

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