We also recently learned from our publisher, Hachette / Workman Publishing, that our book has gone into its second printing. We’re thrilled because, from everything we’ve heard, very few books are going into second printings these days! Our book has now been translated into Italian, Korean, and Dutch. And, Debbie’s article—When the Past Is Present: The Promise of Healing with EMDR Therapy—was selected as the cover story for the Fall 2023 issue of Social Work Today, the nation’s leading newsmagazine for social workers.

We continue to do podcasts, interviews, and presentations, but one of the most meaningful events that we participated in this past Fall was a 3-hour webinar for attorneys, judges, and caseworkers advocating for traumatized children within the foster care system in Texas. The event, with almost 800 registrants, was sponsored by Texas Lawyers for Children. Later in this newsletter, you’ll find a letter that we received from Barbara Elias-Perciful, the director of this organization.

We love to hear from our readers! With permission, we’ve included one reader’s letter here, in our newsletter. We’ve also included a number of links—to some of our published works and a few of our favorite podcast interviews (we’ve done over 75!) where we discuss our book, EMDR therapy, and the challenges of striving to recover from trauma-related symptoms. Finally, you’ll find a link to a blog written by Michael’s brother, David Baldwin, where he reflects on some of his own experiences as a trauma survivor and EMDR therapy client. Thanks again for your support as we work toward a trauma-informed world with accessible, effective treatment for all who are suffering!

In gratitude,
Michael and Debbie

At EMDRIA’s first in-person conference since 2019, Debbie was recognized as the 2022 recipient of the Francine Shapiro Award

Though Debbie actually received this award in an online ceremony in December 2022, she finally got to stand in front of her peers to express her gratitude at the EMDR International Association conference in Arlington, VA in August 2023. The Francine Shapiro Award—considered the most “prestigious” of EMDRIA’s awards—was presented to Debbie for her hard work, dedication, and mental health advocacy, and for the powerful impact that she has had on the recognition and advancement of EMDR therapy worldwide.

 
Debbie began her acceptance speech by talking about her relationship with the late Dr. Francine Shapiro, developer of EMDR therapy. “Receiving the Francine Shapiro Award is truly the greatest honor that I, personally, could ever imagine. Francine was a friend, a mentor, and my second Jewish mother. She was an academic genius, an out-of-the box thinker, and a warrior in the fight to end suffering in our messy, imperfect world. She pushed me, inspired me and, at times, frustrated me like no one else. We didn’t always agree on things, but we had a deep, deep respect and love for one another.”

Later in her address, Debbie reached out to her audience with an appeal that aligns with the message of Every Memory Deserves Respect,

A Note from Michael:

In talking with others, I often hear stories about being estranged from parents or siblings for a variety of reasons. I can certainly relate.

My brother, who had his own traumatic childhood experiences, severely bullied me for years. Although we grew up under the same roof, we had no real relationship for over sixty years, and I was convinced that we would remain estranged until the end of our days. That was before I began my two-year EMDR journey with Dr. Jeffrey Magnavita and, subsequently, my brother began his own EMDR journey.

As we have each done our own healing though EMDR therapy, we have reconnected and have finally been able to forge a relationship, one that is mutually respectful, intimate, and open-hearted. It has been an incredible gift— nothing short of miraculous—and one that truly keeps on giving. And I am convinced that nothing like this would have ever been possible without EMDR. EMDR helped me to understand the context of our lives and to see my brother for who he is today. It helped me put my fear and avoidance to rest and to be open to the promise of reconciliation.

Last summer, my brother and I vacationed together for the very first time as adults. In fact, we shared bunk beds just like we did as kids. We talked about EVERYTHING and we laughed a lot. In fact, we had such a rich experience together that we are planning to repeat the experience every year going forward.

I am forever grateful that my brother and I have been able to put the past behind us and meet in the present. It’s been a joy every day since. We are both immensely grateful for EMDR.
 

Anne's EMDR Story

Anne, a married mother of four young children, was kind enough to share something about her own personal story with us and has given us permission to share it here with you.

During this same time, it seemed that everywhere I turned someone was recommending EMDR. It sounded a bit “out there” to me, but I decided to give it a try in spite of feeling uncertain and skeptical. I was fortunate to connect with an exceptional EMDR/trauma therapist with whom I began my journey. After identifying some of my key emotionally-charged memories, we began dissecting each one. We discovered a series of traumatic events throughout my childhood which had become ingrained in my innermost self and remained unresolved throughout my adult life. I was literally blown away every single session by the cathartic release I experienced as we made the connections between my current emotions and the neglected little girl inside of me.

For me, the most fascinating aspect of EMDR is learning how my reactions to present-day situations usually have nothing to do with the present, yet everything to do with my childhood trauma. I am learning how to recognize how these triggers “press my buttons” and send me back into my child self, finally allowing my adult voice to start becoming my default. I also love how the revelations never stop; I think we have everything figured out, and then yet another layer is revealed.

Based on my experience with EMDR, I would encourage everyone to stop thinking it over and simply take the first step. Finding the courage to start was the biggest turning point in my entire life, and I will be forever grateful to Dr. Korn and Michael for playing such an important role in my personal story.

The book, “Every Memory Deserves Respect”, has been an extraordinary resource for me, particularly when I was just starting out in EMDR therapy. Dr. Korn’s brilliantly clear, approachable explanations of trauma combined with Michael’s incredibly moving personal journey effectively demystified trauma for me. This book made digging into my own trauma less daunting, as I realized how common trauma actually is. Michael’s remarkable perseverance throughout his therapy was so inspiring and gave me a sense of hope for my own ability to find peace in spite of my past."
 

-Anne

Debbie and Michael partnered with Texas Lawyers for Children to bring the story of EMDR's effectiveness to hundreds of legal and child welfare professionals throughout Texas and beyond. Texas Lawyers for Children (TLC) is a nonprofit organization that provides training and resources, through an award-winning Online Legal Resource and Communication Center, to a network of over 3,700 Texas judges and attorneys who work with children in the foster care system who have experienced trauma. They also help other states by replicating and licensing their Online Center as a tool to facilitate systemic change. When TLC's Director, Barbara Elias-Perciful, heard Debbie speak at a recent national presentation, she knew that the information was very important for judges and attorneys to hear in order to provide the best care for abused and neglected children.

"I was so excited to hear Debbie speak. I knew right away that EMDR is a game changer for traumatized children in the foster care system," says Barbara.

TLC is also thankful to Michael for sharing his experience about the life-changing benefits of EMDR and telling his story of healing and forgiveness from the trauma he experienced in childhood. Ana Gomez, MC, LPC, also presented, using her decades of experience in providing EMDR to children to show how the approach can be adapted as a safe, effective therapy for children who have suffered abuse or neglect.

Nearly 800 professionals registered for the event, and TLC continually gets requests for follow-up opportunities to view this amazing webinar. The feedback to the training has been outstanding, with one attorney applauding it as a "home run for children," and TLC has had numerous requests from judges and attorneys to learn more about increasing access to EMDR therapists in their jurisdictions. The audience also learned about Debbie and Michael's book, Every Memory Deserves Respect, and how it can be a useful tool to increase the understanding and effectiveness of each person who interacts with a child who has experienced trauma.

TLC is extremely grateful to Debbie and Michael for sharing their expertise and experience with so many advocates and leaders within the Texas child welfare system and in several other states, and we look forward to the positive impact increased access to EMDR therapy will have for the thousands of children who are in our foster care system and desperately need access to better and more evidence-based healing therapies, of which EMDR is one of the best.

Barbara J. Elias-Perciful, J.D.

Director, Texas Lawyers for Children

OTHER RESOURCES:

If you're looking for an EMDR therapist, please consult EMDRIA's online directory.