Member Spotlight August 2020

EMDR Europe in a few lines?

Founded in 1999, EMDR Europe Association is the official professional association of National EMDR Associations, establishing, maintaining and promoting the highest standards of excellence and integrity in EMDR practice, research and education throughout Europe.

EMDR therapy is a scientifically supported treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As well as being recommended by the World Health Organisation (2013), it is now accepted as a treatment of choice by numerous health departments, National Health Systems and trauma organisations.

Today 21 EU countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland together), Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden) and 12 extra EU countries (Azerbaijan, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Israel, Norway, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, UK and Ukraine) are part of EMDR Europe Association.

What are your main activities?

Since its founding in 1999, EMDR Europe endeavours to deliver the highest quality treatment for PTSD and trauma-related disorders by striving to provide:

• high-quality clinical practice
• scientific investigation to pursue excellence and further effectiveness
• certified professional training to clinicians working in the mental health field
• continuous educational seminars and conferences
• public education through enlightened policies and targeted mental health promotion

As a certifying organization, EMDR Europe is required to maintain an ongoing relationship and monitoring of EMDR certified practitioners.

EMDR can be applied in large-scale for humanitarian emergencies (after natural and manmade disasters), as well with individuals or groups in the different phases of trauma (from acute to chronic stages), to provide emotional relief and enhance post-traumatic growth and wellbeing.

EMDR is also widely used with refugees, survivors of terroristic attacks, earthquakes, mass accidents, combat trauma, police forces, firefighters and first responders. During the current Covid-19 pandemic, EMDR therapists have started numerous projects throughout Europe offering psychological support to patients, families, and health professionals involved in the emergency. Support was also offered to the general population dealing with the psychological consequences of social distancing measures.

EMDR Europe collaborates with many NGOs, support centres and organisations in Europe with the common goal of promoting and supporting mental health. Our President, Isabel Fernandez, has just been nominated in as a member of the Advisory Panel of the EU Centre of expertise for victims of terrorism, set up by the European Commission in January 2020 to offer expertise, guidance and support to national authorities and victim support organisations.

What are your main priorities?

To improve through EMDR therapy the lives of people affected by trauma and mental illness related to stressful experiences and relationships, in order to promote and enhance mental health, as well as preventing mental ill-health.

EMDR Europe’s services ensure that clinicians and clients have access to information regarding quality therapeutic services based on EMDR’s protocol standards with full respect to the health and safety of the consumer.

Where can we find out more?

Website: www.emdr-europe.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/EmdrEuropeAssociation