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EMDR Research Foundation
The EMDR Research Foundation promotes health and growth of human beings through the support of quality research, evidence-based practice and compassionate, well-informed clinicians.
The EMDR Research Foundation envisions a world where people are transformed to wellness and vibrancy by effective, compassionate mental health treatment that is driven by quality research.
History of the EMDR Research Foundation
The EMDR Research Foundation story began in 2006 when it was formed to raise funds to support research in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy. For nearly 20 years, the EMDR Research Foundation has been dedicated to promoting quality, unbiased research in EMDR. With the support of EMDRIA (EMDR International Association) and Dr. Francine Shapiro, the EMDR Research Foundation became an independent 501c (3) non-profit organization.
From the time of its inception, with the help of generous donors, the EMDR Research Foundation has supported research with a mission to inform, strengthen, and expand the understanding and effectiveness of EMDR. To this day, the EMDR Research Foundation serves the community and carries on the spirit of Dr. Francine Shapiro’s vision of “Research, Research, Research.”
In 2010, the EMDR Research Foundation met and exceeded the First Fundraising Campaign goal of $100,000. In 2011, Visionary Alliance was formed with over 130 charter members pledging monthly donations. Thanks to the generosity of individual and Visionary Alliance donors, the EMDR Research Foundation has awarded over $750,000 in grants to support 48 research, dissertation, and consultation projects.
EMDR Research Foundation Highlights
We believe in the power of research and evidence-based practice to transform trauma treatment and improve the lives of individuals worldwide.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Wendy J. Freitag, Ph.D.
Wendy J. Freitag, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Grafton, WI. She maintains a general practice serving adults with trauma, anger, and grief issues, and also specializes in performance enhancement and coaching.
Dr. Freitag is an EMDR Institute Senior and Regional Trainer and Facilitator, and provides consultations for EMDR therapists at all levels of credentialing.
She served on the EMDRIA Board of Directors for eight years, holding positions as President, Secretary, and Director, and is an EMDRIA Approved Trainer and Consultant, Certified Therapist, and Credit Provider. During her tenure, Dr. Freitag contributed to multiple EMDRIA committees and served as chair of both the Educational Programs Committee and the Professional Development Task Group.
In recognition of her contributions to the EMDR community, Dr. Freitag received the Francine Shapiro Award in 2004.
Katy Murray, MSW, LICSW
Katy Murray is a Licensed Independent and Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work in Olympia, WA. She received a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Washington in 1982 and was trained in EMDR in 1996. An EMDRIA Certified clinician, Katy has a general clinical practice with adults, specializing in trauma-related disorders, chemical dependency, and psycho-oncology.
As an EMDRIA EMDRIA-approved consultant, she provides individual and group consultation to new and seasoned therapists, assisting in the effective integration of EMDR therapy into clinical practice. As an Approved Trainer, she provides EMDR basic training for the EMDR Institute and Trauma Recovery/HAP.
Katy serves as the EMDR Institute’s Internet Discussion Listserv Moderator and is a member of the editorial board for the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research. In the past, she served on the EMDRIA Standards and Training Committee and was the lead clinician for the Lifeforce Integrated Trauma Treatment Research pilot study evaluating EMDR in treating trauma in drug-dependent clients. In recognition of her service, Katy was awarded the Trauma Recovery/EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs Liz Snyker Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in 2018.
Tara May, Ph.D.
Tara May is the Clinic Director of Blue Leaf Mental Wellness Center in Vancouver, WA, where she has built the group practice with a strong emphasis on trauma and EMDR. She earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 1998 and, in addition to psychotherapy, conducted psychological, medical-legal, and neuropsychological assessments for many years.
In 2014, she completed her basic training in EMDR and never looked back. Her expertise includes EMDR, trauma, dissociation, complex trauma, and perinatal mental health.
Tara provides EMDR consultation to individuals and groups and is an EMDRIA-approved CE provider, offering workshops on EMDR-related topics. She coordinates the EMDR So WA Professional Network, providing education, support, and networking opportunities to local EMDR therapists.
She served on the EMDRIA Conference Committee from 2019 to 2023, currently serves on the EMDR HAP Conference Committee, and has been an accredited HAP facilitator for the past three years. She is excited for this new chapter serving on the Board for the ERF.
Rosalie Thomas, R.N., Ph.D.
Rosalie Thomas, R.N., Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in Washington State. She has retired from an active clinical practice and now offers consultation and training in EMDR.
She is a senior trainer and consultant for The EMDR Institute, a senior trainer and consultant for Trauma Recovery/EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs, and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer and Consultant.
Rosalie has been actively involved with the EMDR community, serving as a Board Member of the EMDR Research Foundation, co-facilitator of the EMDR Global Alliance, and as Board Member, Treasurer, and President of the EMDR International Association. She is an EMDRIA Certified Clinician, Approved Consultant, and Approved Trainer.
She has participated in training programs throughout the United States, India, Japan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and China, and is a trainer-of-trainers for EMDR Asia.
In 2006, Dr. Thomas received a Special Recognition Award for her leadership in EMDRIA. She was the recipient of the Francine Shapiro Award in 2007 and, together with Dr. Sushma Mehrotra of India, was awarded the Trauma Recovery/EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs Liz Snyker Award in 2016.
Lynn Smith, LCSW
Lynn Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in trauma therapy in Knoxville, Tennessee. She is the Founder and Director of The Center for Mindfulness at Mind Body Knox, where she integrates trauma-sensitive mind/body practices with EMDR therapy.
Lynn is a Certified EMDR Therapist, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, and faculty member of the EMDR Institute. Her areas of clinical expertise include anxiety and panic disorders, phobias and fears, stress management, peak performance, grief, PTSD, recent trauma, and developmental trauma.
She has extensive experience working with survivors of mass tragedy and first responders, utilizing Early EMDR Intervention treatment protocols. Lynn also serves as the co-coordinator of the East Tennessee Trauma Recovery Network, focusing on service and advocacy for survivors of gun violence.
In addition, she has served on the Trauma Recovery/EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs Committee, where she contributed to developing the Trauma Recovery Network training manual for regional TRNs.
"I am honored to serve on the board of the EMDR Research Foundation. My passion for EMDR therapy lies not only on the evidence base of my own practice of over 13 years, but the continued emphasis on research that began with the courage and passion of Dr. Francine Shapiro. Those of us who are emdr practioners know indeed that EMDR works, but we have an obligation to the scientific method to provide data that supports our commitment to this therapy and ultimately the healing of human suffering." - Lynn
Susan Rogers, Ph.D.
Susan Rogers is a clinical psychologist from Pennsylvania. She recently retired from a 25 year career with the Department of Veterans Affairs where she specialized in the treatment of combat-related PTSD. She is an Approved Consultant and has provided EMDR trainings in the US and overseas for the EMDR Institute, The EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs, the US Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense.
She has authored/co-authored several articles and a book on EMDR and has served on the EMDRIA Research Committee and the editorial board of the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research. She has received the Snyker and Shapiro awards for her contributions to EMDR.
