Pride Month is a time to celebrate LGBTQIA+ folks and their freedom to live authentically. We know that in therapy, our clients’ identity matters and that clients do best when their identity is affirmed, supported, and encouraged within the therapy relationship. Similarly, at EMDRIA, our members’ identity matters. Our goal is that EMDRIA members’ identities are considered, supported, and joyfully expressed and received.

We asked EMDRIA members and EMDR therapists to share 2-minute video clips responding to the following question.

“Describe a bit about your experience as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and how your identity has informed, strengthened, and/or challenged your EMDR practice.”

  *For closed captioning, play the video you wish and click on the ‘CC’ icon in the lower right-hand corner.   *** Janae Borrego, LMFT   *** Roshni Chabra, LMFT   *** Dr. Jennifer Fee, Psy.D.   *** Eileen Garcia, LMFT, ATR-BC   *** Sue Genest, RCC   *** Daniel (Danielle) Godfrey, LCSW-R   *** horizon greene, LICSW/LCSW (she/her)   *** Kathryn Grooms, LCSW-R   *** Dr. Steven Halady   *** Dr. Jennifer Holt, Ph.D., LPCC, MDiv   *** Dr. Tiff Lanza, Ph.D., LCSW, MEd   *** Dr. Jamie Marich   *** Gail Neves, LMHC   *** Robin Shapiro, LICSW   *** Kris Sifers, LMFT   ***Michael Simon, LCSW, LCADC

  *** Rosie Szmyd, LCSW  

Resources

Balcom, D. (2008). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in the treatment of traumatized gay men. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 12(1-2), 75-89. https://doi.org/10.1300/J041v12n01_04 Chang, S. (2017). EMDR therapy as affirmative care for transgender and gender nonconforming clients. In M. Nickerson (Ed.), Cultural competence and healing culturally based trauma with EMDR therapy (pp. 177-194). New York, NY: Springer Publishing. Chang, S., Singh, A. A., & dicky, l. m. (2018). A clinician’s guide to gender-affirming care: Working with transgender & gender nonconforming clients. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. Dawson, J., & Levithan, D. (2015). This book is gay. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks, Inc. EMDRIA. Policy on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts. https://www.emdria.org/about-emdria/emdr-international-association-policies/ Genest, S. (2023). EMDR, 2SLBGTQPIA+ Community and Intimate Partner Violence. Go With That Magazine. https://www.emdria.org/blog/magazine/emdr-therapy-sexual-trauma-and-intimate-partner-violence/ (EMDRIA Member Only Resource) Gonzales, K., & Rayne, K. (2019). Trans+: Love, sex, romance, and being you. New York, NY: Magination Press. Greene, D. C., & Britton, P. J. (2015). Predicting adult LGBTQ happiness: Impact of childhood affirmation, self-compassion, and personal mastery. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 9(3), 158-179. https://doi.org/10.1080/15538605.2015.1068143 Grey, E. (2017). Sex assignment, gender assignment, and affectional orientation: Applying continua of congruence to dismantle dichotomies. In M. Nickerson (Ed.), Cultural competence and healing culturally based trauma with EMDR therapy (pp. 209-228). New York, NY: Springer Publishing. Hawn, T. (2020). Cultural awareness in therapy with trans and gender non-conforming adults and older people: A practical guide. Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Hernandez, C. (2020, Fall). SPACEHOGS make a difference. Go With That Magazine. Open access: www.emdria.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/GWT.2020.Vol_.25.Issue_.3.RacialTrauma.ALL_.pdf Kort, J. (2018). LGBTQ clients in therapy: Clinical issues and treatment strategies. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Co. Levis, R. V. (2017). Placing Culture at the Heart of EMDR Therapy. In Nickerson, M. I. (Ed.), Cultural Competence and Healing Culturally-Based Trauma with EMDR Therapy: Innovative Strategies and Protocols (pp. 97-112). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co. Levis, R. V., & Siniego, L. B. (2017). An Integrative Framework for EMDR Therapy as an Anti-Oppression Endeavor. In Nickerson, M. I. (Ed.), Cultural Competence and Healing Culturally Based Trauma with EMDR Therapy: Innovative Strategies and Protocols (pp. 79-96). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co. Marich, J. (2021, June 13). EMDR therapy & LGBTQ experiences: A free webinar (6/13/21). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McFBRoSvkA0 Nickerson, M. I. (2017). Cultural Competence and Healing Culturally Based Trauma with EMDR Therapy: Innovative Strategies and Protocols. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co. O’Brien, J. M. (2017). EMDR therapy with lesbian/gay/bisexual clients. In M. Nickerson (Ed.), Cultural competence and healing culturally based trauma with EMDR therapy (pp. 195-208). New York, NY: Springer Publishing. Out of the Rain Counseling Solutions, LLC. Intersex and EMDR – The intersex experience with brief considerations for EMDR therapists. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INuFXBWUkqI&t=23s Phelps, J. (2019, December 20). Moving past trauma: EMDR has helped LGBTQ patients overcome toxic feelings. OUTINSTL [Wellness blog]. Retrieved from: https://outinstl.com/moving-past-trauma-emdr-has-helped-lgbtq-patients-overcome-toxic-feelings/ Reicherzer, S. (2011). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in counseling a male couple. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 5(3), 111-120. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.5.3.111 Schroeder, S., & Theophano, T. (Eds). (2019). Headcase: LGBTQ writers & artists on mental health and wellness. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Singh, A. (2018). The queer and transgender resilience workbook: Skills for navigating sexual orientation & gender expression. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. Snyder, M. (1996). Intimate partners: A context for the intensification and healing of emotional pain. Women and Therapy, 19(3), 79-92. https://doi.org/10.1300/J015v19n03_08 Turner, S. (n.d.). Most LGBTQ are cyberbullied. Here’s how to stay safe online. vpnMentor.  https://www.vpnmentor.com/blog/lgbtq-guide-online-safety/  

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Additional Resources

If you are a therapist interested in the EMDR training: If you are EMDR trained: If you are an EMDRIA Member:

Date
June 12, 2023

Client Population
LGBTQIA+

Practice & Methods
DEI/IDEA

Series
EMDRIA Members Respond

Audience
EMDR Therapists

Language
English

Content Type
Blog/Blog Post

Original Source
Focal Point Blog

Access Type
Open Access

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