EMDRIA Awards & Winners

EMDRIA Awards

The nomination period for our 2025 awards is now open. Nominations close on April 15.

The Board of Directors, through its Member Value & Engagement Committee, is pleased to offer the following awards for nominations. Details about the awards, the timeline, and how to self-nominate or nominate someone are below.

General Award Criteria

Awards shall be given when they are uniquely deserved and when leadership and/or service or contribution to EMDRIA™ has been exhibited, clearly "above and beyond" one's regular voluntary duties and responsibilities. Accordingly, these awards may not be given annually. There could be several years between awards, or there may be multiple awards in one year. Each is for service in a specific category over an extended time. No person shall be eligible to receive any award more than once. However, suppose an individual has received an award as a member of a group or committee. In that case, it does not prevent them from receiving another award as an individual (see * below for an exception). Recipients of one award shall be eligible to receive other awards in subsequent years. Self-nomination is allowed.

1. Advocacy Award

Advocacy in EMDR Award Eligibility Requirements

Does not have to be an EMDRIA™ member.
Does not have to be a mental health professional.
Can be an individual or agency/group.

Award Purpose: This award is presented to a candidate who has demonstrated outstanding efforts in advocacy for the advancement of EMDR.

The ideal candidate is:

Recognized for extraordinary efforts to advocate for and advance EMDR therapy.
Contributions can include public awareness campaigns, legislative efforts, or other impactful advocacy work.

Advocacy Nomination Link

2. Ambassador Award

Ambassador Award Eligibility Requirements

Must be a member of EMDRIA™.
Shall be nominated by at least one EMDR colleague.
May have served in one of the following capacities.
- A Director on the EMDRIA™ Board of Directors.
- A Committee Chair or Member on one of the EMDRIA™ Committee or other volunteer capacity with EMDRIA™.

Award Purpose: These Ambassadors have built a reputation for their knowledge and expertise on EMDR therapy within the EMDRIA™ community by sharing their knowledge and expertise within that community. These candidates demonstrate outstanding efforts to benefit the EMDRIA™ community.

The ideal candidate demonstrates a significant effort to benefit and support the EMDRIA™ community through knowledge-sharing and leadership.

Nomination Link

3. Emerging Leaders Award

Emerging Leaders Eligibility Requirements

Must be an EMDRIA™ member.
Demonstrate a deep commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion.
There is no age requirement or limit.
Practices and agencies may choose to proffer more than one person, but an organization will not be represented by more than one EMDR therapist in the final group.
Past nominees who were not selected are encouraged to reapply. With more outstanding achievements and leadership in the EMDR therapy profession, they may be selected over time.

Award Purpose: Emerging Leaders is an annual list of stellar EMDR therapists whose accomplishments and dedication to EMDR therapy and their community make them stand out among their peers. Although they may be at various stages of their career path, others note their dedication to the profession, clients, and EMDR therapy.

The ideal candidate will be recognized for notable accomplishments and dedication to EMDR therapy, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Nomination Link

4. Francine Shapiro Award

Francine Shapiro Award Eligibility Requirements

Must be an EMDRIA™ member
Demonstrates performance that has exceeded role responsibilities and requirements.
Must be generally perceived as a leader in the world of EMDR therapy.
Shall be nominated by at least one EMDR colleague.
This award is for those who have made longstanding and impactful contributions to advancements in EMDR therapy.

Award Purpose: Candidates must go above and beyond by making a difference for EMDRIA™ and EMDR. It is similar to the EMDRIA™ Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA™ Award but more prestigious and reserved for individuals whose service is considered exceptional and/or extraordinary.

* Note: Due to the redundancy of the Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA™ Award and the Francine Shapiro Award, no individual may receive both in a row or in the same year.

The ideal candidate is:

Recognized for longstanding, impactful contributions to the field of EMDR therapy, exceeding regular responsibilities.
Seen as a local leader in the EMDR community with a sustained positive influence.

Nomination Link

5. Outstanding Contribution and Service to EMDRIA™ Award

Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA™ Award Eligibility Requirements

Demonstrates performance that has exceeded role responsibilities and requirements.
Must have been a member of EMDRIA™ at some time.
Has served in at least one of the following capacities for at least two years:
- Director on the EMDRIA™ Board of Directors.
- A Committee Chair or Committee Member on one of the EMDRIA™ Committees.
- Other volunteer capacity with EMDRIA™.
At least one EMDR colleague must nominate the nominee.

Award Purpose: This award recognizes exemplary leadership and/or outstanding service contributions by any member toward the betterment of EMDRIA™. The award shall be granted when the candidate has made a fundamental positive impact on EMDRIA.™ The award is not simply for individual achievement but as a means of recognizing someone who collaborates with others for the long-term benefit of the organization. The candidate is perceived as promoting and modeling strong collaboration and coordination among all levels of EMDRIA.™ Current Board of Directors members may not be nominated. Two levels of criteria must be met besides the general criteria above:

Leadership Criteria
- Evidence of leadership role and recognition for enhancing professional development and advocacy in EMDR.
- Recognized for practices in quality leadership principles.
- Demonstrates consistent professional leadership during the previous two years.
Service
- Demonstrates service and contributions “above and beyond” expectations to further the organization's mission.
- Maintains a high level of involvement and dedication to EMDRIA™.
- Significant/outstanding contribution or exemplary service to EMDRIA™ within the past 2 years. *
- Involved in special activities and made significant contributions to the advancement of EMDRIA™.
- Perceived by their peers and colleagues as performing duties in an excellent or superior manner for the good of EMDRIA™. *
- Fosters and promotes high standards and ethics within their discipline. *
- Shows initiative and/or creativity in service to EMDRIA™.

*Required criteria

The ideal candidate:

Must have exceeded normal role responsibilities and demonstrated exceptional service to EMDRIA™.
Served in a formal EMDRIA™ capacity (e.g., Board Director, Committee Chair, Volunteer) for at least two years.
Made a significant positive impact on EMDRIA™ through leadership, collaboration, and service "above and beyond."
Cannot be a current board member and must have been an EMDRIA™ member at some point.
Contributions must be recent, with a lasting effect on the organization's mission and ethics.

Nomination Link

6. Social Media Influencer

Social Media Influencer Award Eligibility Requirements

Does not have to be a member of EMDRIA.™
Shall be nominated by at least one EMDR colleague.
May have served in one of the following capacities:
- A Director on the EMDRIA Board of Directors.
- A Committee Chair or Committee Member on one of the EMDRIA™ Committee or other volunteer capacity with EMDRIA.™

Award Purpose: These social media influencers have built a reputation for their knowledge and expertise in EMDR therapy. They regularly post about that topic on their preferred social media channels and generate large followers of enthusiastic, engaged people who pay close attention to their views. They encourage mental health professionals to train in EMDR, use EMDR resources, and recruit members to EMDRIA.™

The ideal candidate:

Actively promotes EMDR therapy on social media.
Is recognized for expertise, consistent posting, and engaging a large, dedicated following.
Encourages professional development, EMDR training, and EMDRIA™ membership through their platforms.

Nomination Link

Award Recipients

2024

Derek Farrell, Ph.D., MBE, Francine Shapiro Award
Jacqueline (Jackie) Flynn, Ed.S., LMHC-S, RPT-S, EMDR Advocacy Award
Rocio (Cio) Hernandez, Ph.D., LMFT, LPCC, EMDR Advocacy Award
Hope Payson, LCSW, LADC, Ambassador Award
Wendy Byrd, LPC-S, LMFT-S, Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA Award
David Archer, MSW, MFT, Emerging Leader Award
Rebecca Kase, LCSW, Emerging Leader Award
Rotem Brayer, LPC, Emerging Leader Award
Viviana Triana, LCSW-S, Emerging Leader Award

2023

Ana M. Gomez, LPC, Francine Shapiro Award
Diane DesPlantes, LCSW, EMDR Advocacy Award
Carol Miles, MSC, LCSW, Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA Award

2022

Deborah Korn, Psy.D., Francine Shapiro Award
Marshall Lyles, LPC-S, LMFT-S, RPT-S, EMDR Advocacy Award
Mark Nickerson, LICSW, Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA Award

2019

E.C. Hurley, Ph.D., Francine Shapiro Award
Gael Thompson, LPC, Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA Award
Jamie Marich, Ph.D., EMDR Advocacy Award

2018

Rick Levinson, LCSW, Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA Award
Salvatore “Sonny” Provetto, LICSW, EMDR Advocacy Award
European Depression EMDR Network (EDEN), Outstanding Research in EMDR Award

2017

Dee Blinka, MA, LCSW, BCD, Francine Shapiro Award
Kate Wheeler, Ph.D., APRN, FAAN, Outstanding Service & Contribution to EMDRIA Award
Elaine Wynne, MA, LP, EMDR Advocacy Award
Kriss Jarecki, LCSWR, Outstanding Regional Coordinator Award
Emre Konuk, MA, Outstanding Research in EMDR Award

2016

Jill Strunk, Ed.D., L.P., Outstanding Service & Contribution to EMDRIA Award
Jim Cole, Ed.D., Psych., EMDR Advocacy Award
Jennifer Jones, LPC, EMDR Advocacy Award
Karen Alter-Reid, Ph.D., Outstanding Regional Coordinator Award
Ignacio Jarero, Ph.D., Ed.D., MT, Outstanding Research in EMDR Award
Rolf Carriere, Special Recognition Award

2015

Deany Laliotis, LICSW, Francine Shapiro Award
Sharon Rollins, MS, LPC, NCC, Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA
Dee Blinka, MA, LCSW, BCD, EMDR Advocacy Award
Helen Harris, Ed.D., LCSW, EMDR Advocacy Award
Michael Hase, M.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR
Arne Hofmann, M.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR
Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., Special Recognition Award

2014

Robert Tinker, Ph.D., Francine Shapiro Award
Karen Alter-Reid, Ph.D., Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA
Judith Black, MA, M.Ed., EMDR Advocacy Award (NEW award in 2014)
Pennisue Hignell, Ph.D., Outstanding Regional Coordinator
Pim Cuijpers, Ph.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR
Christopher William Lee, Ph.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR

2013

Andrew Leeds, Ph.D., Francine Shapiro Award
Linda Bowers, MA, LPC, Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA
Annie Monaco, LCSW-R, Outstanding Regional Coordinator
David P.G. van den Berg, MsC, Outstanding Research in EMDR
Mark van der Gaag, Ph.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR

2012

Robbie Dunton, MS, Francine Shapiro Award
Robbie Adler-Tapia, Ph.D., Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA
Celia Grand, LCSW, BCD, Outstanding Regional Coordinator
Carlijn de Roos, MA, Outstanding Research in EMDR
Gayla Turner, CAE, Special Recognition Award

2011

Irene Giessl, Ed.D., Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA
Ad de Jongh, Ph.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR
Bob Gelbach, Ph.D., Special Recognition Award

2010

Mark Dworkin, LCSW, Francine Shapiro Award
Zona Scheiner, Ph.D., Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA
Regina Morrow, Ed.S., LMFT, LMHC, Outstanding Regional Coordinator
The Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht University Netherlands. The core members of the research team are Marcel A. van den Hout, Ph.D., Iris M. Engelhard, Ph.D., and Hellen K. Hornsveld, Ph.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR

2009

Barbara Hensley, Ed.D., Francine Shapiro Award
Susan Curry, MS, MFT, Outstanding Regional Coordinator
Raymond Gunder, Ph.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR
Glen Bonder, Ph.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR
A plaque was presented to Dr. Francine Shapiro in recognition of the 20^th Anniversary of EMDR

2008

Louise Maxfield, Ph.D., C.Psych., Francine Shapiro Award
Jim Gach, MSW, LCSW-C, Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA
Karen Forte, LCSW, DCSW, Outstanding Regional Coordinator
Martin Sack, Dr. Med., Outstanding Research in EMDR

2007

Rosalie Thomas, RN, Ph.D., Francine Shapiro Award
Gary Peterson, M.D., Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA
Jim Knipe, Ph.D., Outstanding Regional Coordinator
Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR

2006

Jennifer Lendl, Ph.D., Francine Shapiro Award
Jari Preston, M.Ed., Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA
Nancy Knudsen, LMFT & Shanti Shapiro, MSW, LICSW, Outstanding Regional Coordinators
Barbara Rothbaum, Ph.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR
Rosalie Thomas, RN, Ph.D., Special Recognition Award

2005

Marilyn Luber, Ph.D., Francine Shapiro Award
Bennet Wolper, MSW, Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA
David Manfield, Ph.D., Outstanding Regional Coordinator
Tonya Edmond, Ph.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR

2004

Wendy Freitag, Ph.D., Francine Shapiro Award
Carol York, MSSW, LMSW-ACP, Lifetime Service Award
EMDRIA Standards & Training Committee, Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA
- Jari Preston, M.Ed. - Chair
- Robyn Butler-Hall, MS
- Wendy Freitag, Ph.D.
- Edwin Hallsten, Ph.D.
- John Nash, Ph.D.
- Gary Peterson, M.D.
- Shanti Shapiro, MSW, LICSW
- David Sherwood, Ph.D.
- Bennet Wolper, MSW
Larry Nieters, Ph.D., Outstanding Regional Coordinator
Ricky Greenwald, Psy.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR

2003

Marilyn Luber, Ph.D., Outstanding Contribution & Service to EMDRIA
Philip Manfield, Ph.D., Outstanding Regional Coordinator
Therese McGoldrick, BA, Outstanding Research in EMDR

2002

Ronald Doctor, Ph.D., For Outstanding Service to EMDRIA
Steve Lazrove, M.D., For Outstanding Service to EMDRIA
David Wilson, Ph.D., For Outstanding Service to EMDRIA
Don Heggie, For Outstanding Service to EMDR
Maudie Ritchie, LCSWR, ACSW & Sandra Kaplan, LCSW, Outstanding Regional Coordinators
Irene Giessl, Ed.D. & Barbara Hensley, Ed.D., Outstanding Regional Coordinators
Virginia Sprang, Ph.D., LCSW, Outstanding Research in EMDR
EMDRIA Staff: In appreciation of your dedication and years of service to EMDRIA
- Terri Curtis
- Sheila Kulczyk
- Sarah Tolino
- Gayla Turner
- Carol York

2001

Nancy Smyth, Ph.D., Outstanding Contribution and Service to EMDRIA
David Sherwood, Ph.D. & John Nash, Ph.D., Outstanding Regional Coordinators
Louise Maxfield, MA, CTS, Outstanding Research in EMDR
Roberta “Robbie” Dunton, MA, MS, Creative Innovation in the Development of EMDR
Jennifer Turner, In Appreciation of Dedication and Service

2000

Sandra Foster, Ph.D., Francine Shapiro Award for Outstanding Contribution and Service to EMDR
Curt Rouanzoin, Ph.D., Outstanding Contribution and Service to EMDRIA
Robert Tinker, Ph.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR
Sandra Wilson, Ph.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR
Lee Becker, Ph.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR
Lucina Artigas, Creative Innovation in the Development of EMDR
David Hart, Ph.D., Outstanding Contribution and Service as Founding Chairman and President of EMDR Association Canada

1999

Ricky Greenwald, Psy.D., Outstanding Contribution and Service to EMDRIA and EMDR
Claude Chemtob, Ph.D., Outstanding Research in EMDR
Chris Lee, M.A., Outstanding Research in EMDR
Andrew Leeds, Ph.D., Creative Innovation in the Development of EMDR

EMDRIA Awards & Winners

EMDRIA Awards

General Award Criteria

Award Recipients

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2019

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