EMDRIA Awards

The nomination period for 2024 awards is now closed.

Starting in 2024, 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.

  1. Advocacy Award
  2. Ambassador Award (New)
  3. Emerging Leaders Award (New)
  4. Francine Shapiro Award
  5. Outstanding Contribution and Service to EMDRIA Award
  6. Social Media Influencer Award (New)


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.


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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 EMDRIA. 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 EMDRIA’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

 

Social Media Influencer 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.

Award Recipients

2023

  • Ana M. Gomez, Pllc., Francine Shapiro Award
  • Diane DesPlantes, 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 20th 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