Meet Our Trainers | EMDRIA Approved Trainers

Our Trainers

Meet our EMDRIA Approved Trainers

Our trainers not only have years of EMDR clinical experience, they are experts in teaching EMDR to others. All trainers have been invited to join our training team after being recommended for their knowledge, their integrative approach to implementing EMDR, and their ability to pass that along to other. They have undergone extensive mentoring from other trainers and are EMDRIA Approved as EMDR Trainers. They receive continued support and mentoring from Roy, EMDR Consulting’s founder, so they are kept up-to-date with the most current training materials.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Roy Kiessling, LISW

Roy Kiessling, LISW, is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with more than 20 years of clinical practice. He is the founder of EMDR Consulting and creator of our EMDRIA Approved EMDR Training Course: Integrating EMDR into your Clinical Practice. Roy was initially trained in EMDR in 1995 by The EMDR Institute (Level 1 by Kay Werk in Cincinnati, OH and Level 2 by Francine Shapiro in Chicago, IL). In 1997, he became an EMDR Institute facilitator and started helping conduct EMDR Institute trainings led by Francine Shapiro and her Senior Trainer staff. Since 1998, Roy has been an EMDRIA Approved Credit Provider and Consultant. He presented at the EMDRIA International Conference from 1999 through 2010 on topics involving basic EMDR procedures and protocols, resourcing interventions, and in 2010, he led a full day, pre-conference workshop on EMDR from a belief-focused perspective. Roy started working towards becoming an independent trainer with EMDRIA accreditation in 2013. In June of that same year, Roy’s own approach to the EMDR Basic Training was approved, and since then, he has remained an independent EMDRIA Approved Training Provider. With his focus on his own basic training course, Roy resigned as a senior trainer from both the EMDR Institute and EMDR HAP. Roy’s basic training approach incorporates his many years of experience in teaching EMDR and provides the most effective techniques and additional information to assist clinicians in seamlessly integrating the EMDR approach into their practices.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Kara Baertsch, LMHC

Kara Baertsch is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in complex trauma, dissociative disorders, and EMDR. An EMDRIA Approved trainer with EMDR Consulting, Kara received a Masters in Counseling and an Educational Specialist degree in Counseling and Counselor Education from Indiana University. Kara is also an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Approved Consultant and maintains a private practice in Bloomington, Indiana where she treats adults with trauma-related disorders. She provides EMDR consultation for clinicians at the basic training, certification, and post-certification levels in Indiana and across the country. Kara has advanced training in several different models of ego state therapy and in integrating ego state therapies with EMDR. In addition to her clinical work, Kara is a passionate advocate of mental health awareness and access to care. She has served on the Board of Mental Health America of Monroe County in Bloomington, Indiana since 2017 and has served as Board President since 2020. She is also a Certified QPR Suicide Prevention Instructor, and in addition to providing suicide prevention trainings for schools and other social service organizations, Kara presents on a variety of topics related to trauma, EMDR, and mental health

EMDR Advanced Workshop Presenter

Phoebe Bergvall, LCMHC

Phoebe Bergvall, LCMHC, is a Certified EMDR Therapist and an Approved EMDR Consultant and is an advanced workshop presenter specializing in toxic shame. She has been certified to work with domestic violence and criminal justice and has years of experience treating severe and persistent mental illness. Before becoming licensed as a substance abuse counselor and a mental health clinician, Phoebe was also certified in hypnotherapy and shamanic practices.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Andie Bernard, LPCC

Andie Bernard is a therapist that pays curious and focused attention to the mind, body, memories + attachment connection. As an LPCC-S and National Certified Counselor (NCC), Andie holds the highest credential in the counseling profession, is a certified EMDR therapist, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer. Additionally, Andie integrates Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, play and other brain and body-based practices needed for holistic trauma recovery. Andie served as a Fellow at the University of Cincinnati, serving marginalized and underserved children and families, integrating EMDR in inner-city, urban public schools and community mental health settings. She has presented at various state and local conferences and developed trauma-informed trainings for teachers to increase emotional literacy and wellbeing for students. Andie teaches and collaborates with EMDR clinicians across the country. She is passionate about early learning stages of EMDR, including helping build confidence for clinicians newly trained in EMDR. She is sought out for consultation on EMDR with children, attachment and somatic integration. Andie’s article “Five Things Every Newly Trained EMDR Therapist Wished They Knew” was published by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) in 2021. Andie has also been a feature contributor for the Counseling Today magazine highlighting the Benefits of EMDR therapy.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Martha Bowman, LMHC

Martha Bowman is a licensed mental health counselor, licensed clinical addictions counselor, and certified EMDR trainer and consultant. She is a regional manager at Centerstone of Indiana, where she oversees five counties for the access/intake department. She has been with Centerstone since 2006. She was trained in EMDR in 2016.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Laurie Colson-Young, LMFT, LPCC

Laurie Colson-Young is a California-licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) with an expertise in trauma and EMDR treatment. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Northern Michigan University and a Master’s degree in Psychology from Chapman University. Laurie is an EMDRIA (EMDR International Association) EMDR Certified Therapist and Approved Consultant & Trainer and a member of CAMFT (California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists). She has provided counseling services to individuals, couples, children, and families in the counties of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo since 1999. She has worked within the educational system to provide school based services to children with significant emotional/mental health concerns. Additionally, she provided benefits counseling to recipients of many types of disability benefits as well as working in conjunction with the Department of Rehabilitation. She has been in practice for over 20 years, providing treatment for clients with anxiety, depression, PTSD, physical/sexual trauma, domestic violence, chronic pain, parenting, grief, and relationship issues, among others. Currently, Laurie’s passion is treating clients by using EMDR in combination with other therapy modalities, conducting EMDR consultation groups and providing training for mental health clinicians interested in learning EMDR. She believes in the integration of the entire self-mind, body, physical, emotional, and spiritual-for both the clients and therapists, and utilizes each of these elements to assist in healing.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Jessica Crunkleton, LMFT, LCPC, LPC, LMHC, CADAC II

Jessica Crunkleton, “The Resource Queen”, is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), & a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). She is licensed to practice in Illinois, Missouri, & Indiana. Jessica is also a Certified Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselor Level II (CADAC II), a Certified Brainspotting Practitioner, a Registered Sand Therapist-Consultant & Trainer (RST-C/T), an EMDR Parent-Child Attachment Specialist, & an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACES) Master Education Trainer. Moreover, Jessica is a seasoned Play Therapist. She is currently working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) & plans to complete RPT certification by October 2026.

Jessica owns an innovative private practice called Jessica Crunkleton LLC. Her practice is located in O’Fallon, IL, near St. Louis, MO. She sees clients in person & virtually. Jessica specializes in providing attachment-focused, trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming, & culturally attuned therapy for kids, teens, adults, couples, families, & groups. She has a special interest in working with diverse populations including groups that have experienced marginalization, such as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Color) & LGBTQIA+.

Jessica is a federal government-contracted Area Clinician for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). She provides Employee Assistance Program (EAP) & Crisis Response (CISM) services to DEA employees & their family members worldwide. She has expertise treating law enforcement, first responders, military, & veterans. Jessica offers crisis response trainings like Critical Incident Desensitization (CID) & Acute Traumatic Incident Processing (A-TIP) for organizations & the public upon request.

Jessica is an EMDRIA Approved EMDR Basic Trainer, Approved Consultant, & Certified EMDR Therapist. She began her EMDR Basic Training journey back in 2017. As a neurodivergent (ADHD) & BIPOC therapist, Jessica initially struggled to effectively integrate EMDR into her clinical practice. However, with supportive guidance & learning to trust the process, Jessica became successful at incorporating EMDR with clients. After overcoming EMDR implementation challenges earlier in her career, Jessica was ultimately inspired to become an EMDR Basic Trainer & help Mental Health Professionals.

Jessica graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She then went on to receive a Master of Science degree in Marriage & Family Therapy & Community Counseling from John Brown University. Afterward, Jessica continued her clinical training by becoming a Functional Family Therapy (FFT) Therapist, a Prepare/Enrich Relationship Enrichment Facilitator, an EMDR-Sandtray Specialist, & a TF-CBT Therapist.

Jessica has been in the Mental Health field for over fifteen years. She has worked in a variety of treatment settings including outpatient, school, home, hospital, church, acute, IOP/PHP, residential, & correctional. Jessica has an extensive history treating clinical issues related to domestic violence, adoption, grief & loss, & sexual assault. Similarly, she has lots of experience working with children & families involved with the Department of Child Services (DCS) &/or Juvenile Probation. Jessica enjoys writing & speaking about Mental health-related topics to help educate the public & reduce stigma.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Pamela Downey, LMHC

Pamela Downey is a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, and Certified EMDR Therapist in private practice in Pensacola since 2014. Currently, she primarily works with adults experiencing a myriad of life challenges including developmental trauma, addiction, depression, anxiety, and PTSD as well as clients who are considering transitions of life goals and seeking to optimize self understanding, meaning, and purpose in their life. She also worked with those experiencing addiction, facilitating groups with a wellness-based addiction recovery center on Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze Recovery for over 10 years.Pamela gained her initial EMDR training through the Humanitarian Assistance Program while she was providing pro-bono services for veterans in transitional housing programs. She has also been a volunteer with a local Trauma Recovery Network providing pro-bono consultation for a network of volunteer EMDR therapists. Earlier in her career, Pamela enjoyed working with an elementary school guidance counseling program where she assisted in testing for gifted and other special programs, interventions for children who struggled with behavioral issues in the classroom, and facilitated educational groups for children having difficulty with parental separation. Pamela joined EMDR Consulting in 2015 with a passion for its mission in building strong local EMDR communities. She holds great appreciation for the opportunity to get to know and work with other therapists.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Cassidy DuHadway, LCSW

Cassidy DuHadway is the founder of Purple Sky Counseling and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Heber City, UT. Cassidy, an EMDRIA Approved trainer, is an expert in trauma, attachment, developmental trauma (c-PTSD) and women’s issues. She has over a decade of experience working in both community mental health agencies and private practice with all ages. She also specializes in play therapy, children and teens, focusing on teaching other therapists how to incorporate EMDR into the play therapy world. Cassidy received her certification in EMDR through the Humanitarian Assistance Program in 2015 and since then has taken specialty trainings in dissociation, play therapy, core beliefs, attachment, internal family systems and C-PTSD. She is an EMDRIA approved EMDR Certified Therapist and Consultant. Cassidy is an outgoing and passionate trainer. She understands EMDR and how it integrates with other therapeutic modalities. She is passionate about training therapists in EMDR, working with trauma, complex trauma, and deshaming our client’s stories.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Robert S. Grubbs II, LCSW, LCADC

Robert “Bobby” Grubbs began his career in this field at the age of 19 years old as a youth care counselor working with adolescents struggling with behavioral concerns. An EMDRIA Approved trainer, Bobby attended Murray State University for his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. While attending Murray State University, he received several awards including Outstanding Social Work Student of the Year (2003) and Outstanding Student Officer of the Year (2003). Bobby served as President of the Student Association of Social Workers, as well as Vice President of the American Humanistic Student Association. While working full-time as a clinical evaluator, Bobby also began graduate school at the University of Louisville pursuing his Master’s Degree in Social Work. After completing graduate school in 2008, Bobby continued gaining clinical experience managing the assessment center for one of the largest private non-profit psychiatric hospitals in the United States. His next position was the lead clinician at a 28-day residential treatment program in Louisville which treated substance use and dual diagnosis clients from many different regions. In both above-mentioned roles, Bobby was interviewed on local TV news and radio several times regarding current community issues, diagnoses, and treatment methods. Bobby obtained dual licensure and the highest clinical degrees in his fields as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Clinical Drug & Alcohol Counselor (LCADC). In addition, Bobby is certified in EMDR, an approved consultant, and trainer as well. Areas of expertise include: Addiction, Trauma, Depression and Anxiety.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Trevor Hardcastle, LMFT

Trevor Hardcastle is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He has been a practitioner since 2002. Trevor has specialized training in Eating Disorder Treatment (Center for Change) and Substance Use Treatment. He has worked in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient and residential treatment. Trevor’s practice is based on Family Systems, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and EMDR trauma treatment. He is an expert in helping individuals and families improve communication, repair relationships, and reach their collective potential. As a trainer, Trevor is able to integrate the use of EMDR when considering how trauma relates to family systems, eating disorder recovery, and substance use recovery. He sees the benefit of helping clinicians infuse EMDR into their existing modalities. Trevor is passionate about continuing to grow in EMDR and training others on the benefits of an integrated practice. For more information on Trevor, or if you want information about consulting, you can go to his website at trevortherapy.com.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Paula F. Harry, MS LCSW

Hello everyone! I earned my MS degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1991. I was originally trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in 1998 by Dr. William Zangwill. I became EMDRIA Certified in 2006 under Roy Keissling and a Consultant in 2016. For 15 years, I treated trauma and related issues in correctional settings in Wisconsin. It became my “diabolical plan to take over the State” to train every clinical provider in the Wisconsin prison system to provide EMDR therapy. Now that I am happily retired, I do trainings and provide consultation to providers in corrections as well as in private and community practices around the US, Canada, China and Africa. I have a full practice that includes intensive EMDR treatment. My clinical approach emphasizes the importance and benefits of continuous learning. I believe success is best achieved through a respectful, direct, and enjoyable relationship.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Helen Hill, LISW-S

Helen Hill, LISW-S was first trained in EMDR by Francine Shapiro Ph.D. in 1992. In 2000, the first year that it was offered, she attained EMDRIA certification as a clinician and consultant under Roy Kiessling, LISW and Kay Werk, LISW. For more than twenty years, Helen has provided local and regional trainings to clinicians in the areas of complex trauma, dissociative disorders, first responders, and EMDR. Additionally, she provides individual and group consultation to clinicians wishing to improve their skills in those areas. Helen co-chairs the local EMDR network meetings in Columbus, Ohio. Helen is the co-founder of the Buckeye Trauma Response Network (BTRN). It is part of the EMDR Trauma Response Network. In 1995, she assisted in the Trauma Response Network intervention after the Oklahoma City bombing. She is trained in CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) and is the Clinical Director of the Ohio Assist/PCIS (Post Critical Incident Seminar) program in Ohio. This program is a three day event aimed at assisting safety forces in overcoming traumatic events. The program includes EMDR treatment. Helen is in private practice in Columbus, Ohio. Previously, she has been employed as a manager and clinician in a variety of behavioral health organizations, both for-profit and public sector.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Stephanie Johnson, LCSW

Stephanie Johnson is a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) for over 20 years. Her experience spans from working in inpatient mental health hospitals for acute short-term stabilization, adolescent residential treatment centers for mental health/behavioral issues, and private practice. The last 14 years have been spent in private practice partnering with individuals in working through their personal difficulties. Stephanie also sees mandated referral clients from local state agencies and criminal court. Upon completion of her EMDR training in 2014, Stephanie realized she wanted to share with other mental health professionals the benefits of adding EMDR to their toolbox. As an EMDRIA Approved trainer, Stephanie enjoys training and providing consultation to help clinicians integrate EMDR into their practices. This allows her to keep the information fresh and to continue to grow her therapeutic technique. She appreciates the rewarding work of helping clients remove blocks in their lives, which allow them to move forward in a positive way.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Renee Johnson, LCSW

Renee Johnson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Madison, IN. She works for Centerstone of Indiana and is an EMDRIA approved trainer and consultant. She has been in the field of community mental health for 20 years working with a variety of populations over the years. She was trained in 2016 in EMDR and continued on to be EMDR certified, to now consultant/trainer. She serves as a Clinic Manager in the Jefferson County (Indiana) office for Centerstone. Renee is passionate about growing the number of EMDR trained therapists to help integrate it more into clinical practice for other therapists within Centerstone. She hopes to help therapists be competent and confident in utilizing EMDR to better serve their clients’ needs.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Victoria Jones, LCPC

Victoria (Tory) Jones, LCPC is a Certified EMDR Therapist and an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and Trainer, getting started with integrating EMDR into her practice in 2010.

She lives in Boise, ID and currently has a private practice in perinatal well-being at Sweet Peace Perinatal Well-Being. She works with families in the prenatal and postpartum stage of life and early childhood (ages 0-3), including adults who want to process their early childhood. Tory offers 3-day and 4 hour intensive counseling sessions.

In the past, Tory has worked in a community clinic with substance abuse issues, sexual abuse, PTSD, and people who were chronically homeless. Tory thinks people and our relationships are some of the most important parts of life. She looks forward to the relationships she will form as she meets people through trainings and consultation as a part of EMDR Consulting. Tory believes that EMDR helps remove barriers that get in the way of people having healthy relationships.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Carole Lovell, Psy.D., LCSW

Carole Lovell is the founder of Personal Growth Counseling, a privately owned Mental Health Center licensed by the State of Tennessee. At Personal Growth Counseling, there are currently 10 therapists and three Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, all are trained in EMDR and provide competent behavioral health services for all ages with multiple diagnoses. The center’s specialty is trauma and abuse. The agency is now in the 30th year. Carole Lovell brings years’ of experience to the dual role of Therapist/Program Director of PGC. She is an Approved Consultant for EMDR and trains, coaches and provides consultations for Basic Training in EMDR. She is trained in CBT, DBT, Hypnotherapy, and Critical Incident Debriefing. She does Marriage Counseling, Life Coaching, and is a Certified Rule 31 Mediator. She does intensive therapy sessions in addition to her regular hourly sessions. Carole is Board Certified in Professional Christian Counseling. She is a frequent speaker at National and International Conferences including: IADEP, NASW, EMDRIA and AACC. She authored a chapter in Francine Shapiro’s 2005 book EMDR Solutions: Pathways to Healing. She also has a chapter in the book edited by Doctor Rodney Ellis describing the benefits of EMDR with adolescent girls while in residential treatment .Carole is devoted to her three children and grandchildren. She enjoys travel, activities in her church and riding her horses.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Sharon Meredith, R.Psych

Sharon specializes in treating the overwhelmed, whether as a result of grief, occupational stress injuries, developmental difficulties, acute stress, post-traumatic stress, or complex trauma. As a retired RCMP sergeant (29 years), she is uniquely qualified to offer services to first responders, veterans, military, and health professionals. Sharon is a certified EMDR therapist, an EMDRIA Approved consultant, and an EMDRIA Approved trainer. Sharon is also skilled in clinical hypnosis, CBT, mindfulness, brainspotting, interpersonal neurobiology, ego state therapy/IFS and somatic therapies (Gendlin Focusing, Hakomi, SPI). She is a supervisor of mental health professionals and students. She welcomes clients of all ages and cultures. Some of her additional areas of expertise include pain, performance, bipolar, depression, anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, and addictions.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Paula P. Merucci, LCSW, CADC

Paula Merucci is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) who is dedicated to the treatment of adults, adolescents, and families suffering from trauma, utilizing the integration of Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) with modification to the Standard EMDR protocol and Ego State/IFS/Polyvagal Informed Therapy. Ms. Merucci is an EMDRIA-approved National EMDR trainer, consultant, certified EMDR therapist focusing on complex PTSD and Dissociation. She is currently an agency and private practice trauma therapist, LCSW Supervisor, community educator, and EMDR training provider for EMDR basic and advanced trainings. Her passion for EMDR is evident in her daily responsibilities, which include working with agency and private practice clients and therapists, EMDR training and consultation with approved-training provider EMDR Consulting, and working with consultees for EMDR certification and consultant-in-training. Ms. Merucci’s personal mission is to endorse and encourage the learning process of EMDR by providing information, education, and advocacy. She is committed to and enthusiastic about EMDR Consulting’s training model and is proud to be sharing it with the world.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

D. Joyce Mojica, Psy.D., CADC

D. Joyce Mojica, Psy.D., CADC is a clinical psychologist who specializes in trauma, anxiety, diversity, and interpersonal relationship stressors. As a clinician, she has been in practice for over 20 years and is certified as an alcohol and drug counselor and was trained as an EMDR therapist in 2006. She is a part of PSYPACT and can provide teletherapy across PSYPACT participating states. Joyce became an EMDRIA Approved Consultant in 2018 and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer with EMDR Consulting in 2023. She works at Dominican University’s Wellness Center and has a private practice. As part of her professional growth, she continually engages in advanced training in various areas, including complex trauma, attachment, dissociation, pain, racial trauma and group therapy. Her interests include working with diverse clients, dissociation, relational trauma, attachment, groups, and couples. Joyce steadfastly believes in the healing power of EMDR and has been a coach with EMDR Consulting’s basic trainings since 2017. To help clinicians feel more comfortable using EMDR, she is invested in providing support and consultation to beginning EMDR therapists as well as EMDR therapists looking to move towards certification. Her hope is to have clinicians feel more comfortable utilizing EMDR with their clients.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Kyle Poon, R.Psych

Kyle Poon is an anti-racist, social justice–oriented Registered Psychologist, EMDR International Association Approved Trainer & Consultant. Kyle is also a 4^th generation Chinese-Canadian.

Kyle specializes in treating racial trauma, PTSD, dissociation and complex PTSD. He primarily works with BIPOC clients, Public safety personnel (PSP), first responders, veterans, survivors of sexual trauma, and individuals who have experienced childhood, relational, or repeated traumas. His clinical experience spans community organizations, counselling centres, and treatment programs, and he previously served as Acting Director of an outpatient treatment centre specific to PSP’s.

Currently, he divides his time between clinical work and consultation in his private practice, KP Psychological Inc., in Edmonton, AB, and in co-facilitating and training EMDR Basic Trainings.

In his clinical work, Kyle regularly integrates polyvagal exercises along with mindfulness and meditative practices to help clients anchor and regulate. He also maintains these practices in his personal life.

Beyond his clinical practice, Kyle is the creator of Calm with Kyle, a YouTube channel offering practical, educational content on mental health, psychology, and well-being. The channel’s purpose is to provide accessible, guided practices that anyone, anywhere can use.

https://www.youtube.com/@CalmwithKyle

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Esta Porter, Ph.D., LMHC, RCC-ACS

Esta Porter, Ph.D. is a Registered Clinical Counselor, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and Graduate of the Authentic Happiness Coaching Program, Certified EMDR Therapist, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, EMDRIA Approved Trainer, and Certified Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Throughout her 40 years of clinical practice, she has worked in various public and private counseling agencies with adults, adolescents, children, and families. Esta’s background includes teaching at the high school and university levels. Currently, Esta maintains a private practice providing counseling psychology, life and executive coaching and consulting to business, schools, and organizations. She facilitates trainings locally and internationally. Esta’s holistic approach integrates wellness into a system in a way that brings about lasting, pervasive, and generative changes in people’s lives congruent with their individual and systemic outcomes. She is the recipient of the 2007 Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Counsellor Practitioner Award. Esta’s office is located in Nelson, British Columbia, Canada.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Leigh Povia, LCSW, RPT

Leigh Povia is a New Jersey Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist, Certified EMDR Therapist, and an Approved EMDR Consultant. She is also a Board Certified Neurofeedback provider. Leigh currently works in private practice at Center for Dynamic Growth in Hamilton, New Jersey, an agency she created to provide a multi-modal approach to healing. Ms. Povia has trained extensively in the attachment relationship across the life span, in addition to trauma and how it impacts the individuals’ concept of self as well as their brain development. The interventions that are used are guided by the most current brain research available. She believes there is not a one size fits all program for any individual. Ms. Povia works with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. Additionally, she provides mentoring and consultation to other therapists in the United States and Canada.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Kenya Rocha, LMHC, NCC

Kenya Rocha, MS, LMHC, NCC, has worked in the Des Moines, IA community for over 30 years. Since 2007, she has been the executive director and owner of MOSAIC FAMILY Counseling Center Inc., an agency that is committed to and responsive in supporting the healing of life’s adversities, challenges, and traumas for all populations. Kenya has experience and training in using EMDR with families, children, and adults over a wide range of simple and complex presentations and uses intuition and creativity in her therapy room to enhance healing. Another of Kenya’s specialties is using EMDR with an emotionally-focused angle, particularly with couples. Kenya uses EMDR as a driving force in the healing of wounds that keep people from experiencing their best lives. Kenya is bilingual in Spanish and provides services to the Latino population. She has worked with many different culturally diverse populations and is committed to cultural responsiveness in her treatment approach with clients. Kenya began working as a coach for EMDR Consulting in 2014. She has provided advanced trainings in the use of EMDR with couples and families. In 2017, Kenya was asked to join the ranks of trainer to help build a bilingual team to meet the unmet needs of the Latino population. In 2023, Kenya became an EMDRIA Approved trainer. She is very excited to expand the gift of EMDR to the Latino population.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Shellie Ruge, LPC

Shellie Ruge, LPC is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and Certified Therapist. She is co-owner of Beyond Excellence Counseling and Consulting PLLC, a private counseling practice in Scottsdale, Arizona, with emphasis in working with First Responder and Transgender/Trans Family Care and communities. Shellie’s clinical practice is steeped in trauma-informed treatment based on the most current neuroscience. Her EMDR practice integrates developmental and attachment theories, a deep understanding of dissociation, and ego-state modalities. Shellie’s expertise in subcortical processes allows clients to discover lasting healing from anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, grief, substance use disorders, and enhances professional performance. Her focus on post-traumatic-growth inspires a commitment to helping clients build resilience. Shellie is passionate about bringing excellence into her EMDR clinical work, teaching, and consultation. With an extensive background in teaching, Shellie is masterful at training others about complex concepts in an organized, accessible, and enthusiastic manner. Shellie brings passion and excellence to therapists participating in basic training or the certification process and provides advanced training. In the spirit of excellence, Shellie values lifelong learning and collaboration with others. Shellie’s integrity, generosity, love of learning, and dedication to others permeates every aspect of her life.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Linda Russell, Ed.D., LPC

Linda has an earned doctorate in education including a second master’s degree in Human Relations with a counseling emphasis. She uses her counseling expertise to assist children and families in adjusting to the circumstances of life including trauma from divorce and adoption. Linda Russell is a licensed professional counselor in 4 states, including Oklahoma, and Texas. She holds the national board of counseling certification, certified clinical forensic counselor, and distance counseling certification. Dr. Russell’s public school certification and endorsements are still current in Oklahoma. Dr. Russell served as an expert witness in Orange County, California and Rogers County, Oklahoma testifying to adoption trauma cases. She has experience in submitting amici brief for other court cases. Linda’s background and education include training to administer psychological assessments, interpret and write reports for the purposes of court orders, fit for duty, and child custody. Linda works with other therapists to enhance EMDR therapy skills particularly in the areas of sexual abuse and adoption. Linda served as a child development research assistant and received ongoing child specialist training in EMDR therapy for children with complex trauma as well as training in dissociation. She provides individual, group, and EMDR consultation. Her mental health counseling practice focuses on the treatment of trauma of adults, adolescents and children with complex trauma, secondary trauma, dissociative disorders as well as depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Linda is a therapist, speaker, author, and the owner and Clinical Director of Breakthrough Counseling in the greater Tulsa, Oklahoma area. She uses her EMDR certification and consultant skills to enhance the growth and development of EMDR therapists in the community through training, consultation, and education. She is an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist, Approved Consultant, and an EMDRIA Approved EMDR Trainer for EMDR Consulting.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Nancy Simons, LMHC

Nancy Simons, LMHC has been providing trauma treatment, training, and consultation for over 25 years. Her specialties includes work with children/adolescents, dissociation, ego state work, and sand tray work. Her professional experience includes both community mental health, integrated medical care, and private practice. She has held positions as Clinical Director of an adolescent program for youths transitioning out of the foster care system, Clinical Consultant for community mental health, and EMDR Trainer and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Nancy has a strong background in neurobiology and brings these concepts into her consultation work. Additionally, she offers her own trainings in Self Compassion for Trauma Treatment.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

George Tabb, LCSW

Master EMDR with a Trainer Who Lives the Practice Every Day! From the moment George applied EMDR with his very first client in 2016 after training under Roy Kiessling, he saw the transformative power of adaptive information processing firsthand. Having started his EMDR journey in high-volume community mental health settings, George understands the real-world complexities clinicians face when bringing trauma-focused care into diverse practice settings. Today, as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in North Carolina, EMDRIA-Certified Therapist, EMDRIA-Approved Consultant, and EMDRIA-Approved Basic Trainer, George dedicates his career to bridging foundational theory with practical, highly effective clinical application.

What You’ll Gain in Consultation & Training with George:

Real-World Clinical Mastery: Learn how to tailor EMDR seamlessly for children, young adults, and couples dealing with complex trauma and attachment issues.

Supportive, High-Energy Learning: George’s teaching philosophy centers on fostering “lightbulb moments”—helping you move past hesitation into confident, fluid execution.

Battle-Tested Strategies: Draw from George’s deep background across community mental health and private practice to handle complex cases, high distress levels, and stuck processing.

Whether you are an EMDR novice looking for inspiring Basic Training or an experienced clinician seeking consultation toward certification, George provides an encouraging, practical, and growth-oriented space to elevate your clinical skills.

Ready to transform your clinical practice? Join an upcoming training or consultation group today!

Community work George has served on Assertive Community Team, Community Support team, and Intensive In-home Therapy team, and he worked as an In-home therapy outpatient therapist. George graduated from Howard University in 1996 with a master’s degree in social work. Prior to college, George served in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman for eight years, and during this time, he served one tour in the Gulf War. George believes that we are the captains of our own ships, and we are the architects of our own lives; therefore, with proper guidance, strength building, and coaching, he enjoys helping others get to a better place. George enjoys empowering others through their challenges while preparing them for a better future. George has a passion to empower others to become their best self as his way of giving back to all those that have contributed to his success along his own journey.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Amy Terrell, LMHC

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Susan Thompson, LSCSW

Susan Thompson has been in private practice in Kansas City since 1989. Sue joined Roy Kiessling as a trainer for EMDR Consulting in 2015. She trained in EMDR in 1997 and was a Facilitator for The EMDR Institute and EMDR HAP for 16 years. Sue worked with adolescents, addictions, trauma, and anxiety disorders in residential and inpatient settings. She has been a local speaker on subjects such as dissociation, anxiety, trauma, and enjoys teaching all things EMDR. She has been an EMDRIA Approved Consultant since 1999. In 2023, Sue became an EMDRIA Approved trainer.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Larisa Traga, LCSW, CCDS, MATC

Larisa Traga is a California-licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), master addiction counselor (MAC), with a co-occurring disorders specialization (CCDS), providing training, consultation, and therapy to the Santa Barbara county community. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from SUNY, Binghamton University and a Master’s in Social Work from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Larisa is an EMDRIA (EMDR International Association) Approved EMDR Certified Consultant, EMDRIA Approved EMDR Trainer, and a MINT (Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers) Certified Trainer. She has been an adjunct psychology and human services instructor at Allan Hancock College since 2015. Larisa has also worked countywide with the County of Santa Barbara Behavioral Wellness Department since 2009 with individuals with co-occurring disorders, PTSD, Transitional Age Youth and adults with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness, drug court involved teens and adults and individuals experiencing crisis. Larisa currently has a private practice specializing in culturally sensitive individual psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults using an eclectic approach, including EMDR, CBT, MI, and mindfulness techniques. She treats a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, physical/sexual abuse, PTSD, self-esteem issues, workplace harassment, and more. In addition, Larisa conducts training on Evidence Based Practices, such as Motivational Interviewing, NIATx process improvement, MATRIX model, and more currently consultations and technical assistance on use of EMDR and crisis debriefings using A-TIP.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Yunetta Smith, LPC-MHSP

Yunetta Spring Smith, LPC-MHSP, NCC is an EMDRIA Approved Trainer, Consultant, and Coach who is passionate about equipping clinicians to feel confident, competent, and culturally attuned in their EMDR practice. An author, international speaker, and Licensed Professional Counselor, Yunetta integrates her lived experiences as a military BRAT and her professional journey across community mental health, crisis response teams, school based counseling, military installations, corporate/professional organizations, medical facilities, and private practice to shape a training style that is practical, integrative, and deeply affirming.

She is the owner of Spring Forth Counseling and Ground Breakers Coaching & Consulting, and the founder of the first BIPOC EMDR Therapy Directory, expanding access to culturally responsive EMDR. Since training in EMDR in 2017, Yunetta has grown to become an EMDR-Certified Therapist, an EMDRIA Advanced Trainer, an Approved Consultant, and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer, committed to helping therapists bring out the best in their practice.

Her trainings and consultations are neurodivergent-affirming and LGBTQIA+ affirming, centering race, culture, and identity while also addressing therapist burnout and the challenges of sustaining meaningful work in demanding environments. She creates learning spaces that are engaging where clinicians are encouraged to grow in both skill and self-trust, leaving with tools that are clinically sound, culturally responsive, and grounded in confidence.

Yunetta’s mission is to make trauma healing more accessible to underserved communities. She is known as a ground breaker, stigma breaker, and cycle breaker. Yunetta is dedicated to cultivating communities of EMDR practitioners who lead with compassion, authenticity, and cultural humility.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainers

Darlene K. Wade, LCSW

Darlene and Terry began their own training in Eye Movement Desensitization (EMDR) in 1991 with Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., the originator of EMDR. They established EMDR Hawaii in the early 90s to provide EMDR therapy, training and consultation in Hawaii. They served as training facilitators for Dr. Shapiro’s EMDR Institute for many years and are now trainers and coaches with EMDR Consulting. They are certified EMDR therapists, EMDRIA approved consultants, and EMDRIA approved trainers. They have education, training and experience in treating a broad range of mental and emotional problems, including post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression, as well as substance use and relationship problems. Darlene works with children and adolescents as well as adults, and Terry is also a forensic psychologist. They also specialize in enabling people to optimize their performance in a wide variety of activities, including executives and professionals as well as athletes and performing artists. In addition, they serve as trainers and consultants to other therapists as part of their basic training through EMDR Consulting and enable EMDR therapists to become EMDRIA Certified Therapists and Approved Consultants.

EMDR Consulting & EMDRIA Approved Trainer

Crystal Whitlow, LCSW

Crystal is a certified EMDR therapist, an EMDR Consultant, and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer. In 2013, she began working as a coach for EMDR Consulting’s EMDR Trainings. Based upon her exceptional understanding of EMDR, her enthusiasm and ability to connect with those she is coaching in EMDR, Crystal was invited by Roy Kiessling to join EMDR Consulting’s training staff as a trainer. She began presenting EMDR Consulting’s EMDR Training Course in 2015 throughout the Midwest. She maintains a clinical caseload of adult clients and specializes in working with women with trauma and anxiety disorders. Since 2017, Crystal is also an advanced workshop presenter on the topic of dealing with avoidance in EMDR therapy. Since becoming Certified in IFS, Crystal teaches advanced workshops for the Syzygy Institute on using the blend of IFS (Internal Family Systems) and EMDR.