Course Description

Listening to the experiences of LGBTQ+ clients, therapists and consultants/trainers is an important part of becoming more culturally responsive and highly ethical as an EMDR therapist. This panel presentation—featuring Jamie Marich, Ph.D., LPCC-S, LICDC-CS, REAT, RYT-500; Sue Genest, MSc., CCC; Lisa Hayes, MSW, LISW-S; Roshni Chabra, LMFT; Patrick Monette, LMHC, CASAC; and Danielle Godfrey, LCSW-R— brings together a group of individuals who are long-term EMDR therapists and consultants/trainers who also identify in various ways under the broader LGBTQ+ umbrella. They offer their lived experience of discrimination and being impacted by microaggressions, in society at large and within clinical circles. They review literature-supported best practices for working with LGBTQ+ clients, with special attention being paid to nuance of each group’s specific needs, and to the impact of oppressive cognitions across the lifespan. Intersectionality is also defined and discussed, as are issues around spiritual abuse and healing the legacy of so-called “conversion therapies.”

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will be able to articulate and discuss common concerns reported by LGBTQ+ individuals in presenting for EMDR therapy.
2. Participants will be able to discuss the impact of spiritual abuse and so-called “conversion therapies” on the LGBTQ+ community at large.
3. Participants will be able to implement solutions for delivering the best possible care to LGBTQ+ individuals, with special attention paid to cultivating the therapeutic relationship.

Presenter(s)

Jamie Marich, Ph.D., LPCC-S, LICDC-CS, REAT, RYT-500

Marich is the founder of the Institute for Creative Mindfulness and the developer of the Dancing Mindfulness approach to expressive arts therapy. Marich is the author of several well-known books including EMDR Made Simple (2011) and Trauma and the 12 Steps (2012/2020). Marich co-authored EMDR Therapy & Mindfulness for Trauma-Focused Care along with Dr. Stephen Dansiger (2018), and their new book Healing Addiction with EMDR Therapy: A Trauma-Focused Guide is coming out from Springer in Fall 2021. Marich won the 2019 Advocacy in EMDR Award and sits on the clinical workgroup of the Council of Scholars.

Sue Genest, MSc., CCC

Sue Genest, M.Sc., 1st Class Honors BA, CCC, RCC., Director of Life Journeys Counselling and Training. Genest is an EMDRIA-approved training provider and teaches EMDR Basic and Advanced. Genest has over 34 years of experience in the mental health field; Indigenous education; Federal and Provincial corrections; health educator; child worker (Community; Children’s hospital); disability care provider; research in mental health and medical faculty (pediatrics; bioethics). Genest has won numerous awards for her academic work. She has published, presented, and taught University classes in the areas of EMDR, 2SLGBTQ+; counselling skills, lifespan development, holistic health, pediatrics, qualitative research, sexuality, career counselling.

Lisa Hayes, MSW, LISW-S

Lisa Hayes, MSW, LISW-S is a Clinical Social Worker based in Columbus, OH. Lisa has owned her own private practice since 2011 and is a co-owner of the Ohio Institute for Trauma and Wellness, LLC. Lisa is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and facilitator with The Institute for Creative Mindfulness. Lisa’s academic and professional focus has always included special considerations for issues of gender identity, sexuality, race and social representation. In her therapeutic work, Lisa uses a variety of expressive and experiential therapeutic interventions all aimed at identifying and celebrating the strengths of each person.

Roshni Chabra, LMFT

Roshni Chabra, LMFT, identifies as an Indian Lesbian Intersectional Feminist Therapist and is the Founder and President of the Lavender Healing Collective. Roshni is also Co-Owner, Chief Clinical Officer, and MET(T)A (Mindfulness and EMDR Treatment Template for Agencies) Protocol Agency Director at Start Again Associates. Roshni has a bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies and one in Psychology as well as a master’s in Feminist Clinical Psychology. She is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist, Approved Consultant and Adjunct Faculty at the Institute for Creative Mindfulness.

Patrick Monette, LMHC, CASAC

Patrick Monette is a licensed mental health/addiction and certified trauma counselor located in Northern New York. He is a Certified EMDR therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant and trained couples counselor. He has taught at local universities and maintains a private practice focusing on couples work and trauma-informed treatment as well as gender issues, anger management, and co-occurring disorders. He is actively engaged in the local community drug court systems as a mental health consultant and educator. Patrick is fluent in English and Spanish and offers treatment in both languages. He also stated his bi-weekly video show/podcast Friday Night Feels that focuses on various aspects of wellness and incorporates guests to come and share their experiences and areas of specialty. During the pandemic, Patrick has begun to hold online couples courses/retreats called Hold Me Tight® to assist couples focus and improve their relationships.

Danielle (Daniel) Godfrey, LCSW-R

Danielle (Daniel) Godfrey, LCSW-R, (she\her) is a practicing trauma therapist in Buffalo New York. She is an EMDRIA approved Consultant in Training (CIT) who specializes in working with Gender Diverse, LGBTQIA+ other queer identified people who have been impacted by trauma. She has provided trainings, through the Trauma Institute/ Child Trauma institute, participated in speaker panels for ICM, EMDRIA and EMDR Canada and most recently presented at the EMDRIA 2022 Virtual Conference. She is a strong advocate against the traumatization of queer peoples through the use of Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE) and other stigmatizing /non-affirming clinical practices.