EMDR UK President’s Update – September 2022

Dear Colleagues

I really hope that you’ve all had a good summer and managed to get some rest. Here’s some more EMDR UK news to help keep you in the loop with our community.

Bulletin Board

You may have read this update via our new email communication method – the EMDRUK Bulletin Board (BB). This is part of our efforts to streamline our comms’ with our members and reduce the number of emails we send out. If you are involved in a regional group, SIG, EMDR research or other matters you think our members should know about then email admin@emdrassociation.org.uk and we can consider it for next BB. You can also read current and past BBs via https://www.emdrassociationevents.org.uk/bulletin-board/

NHS Update

We continue the partnership work with Health Education England looking at EMDR clinical governance requirements in the English NHS. When this is finalised, we will provide further information. Linking to this initiative, we will be running a third Consultant-in-training course per year but with this additional course reserved for NHS clinicians. Details will be published soon via the Accreditation page of the website on the consultants tab.

We are also exploring other ways of increasing access to EMDR supervision for clinicians across the UK, including making the provision of supervision a mandatory part of re-accreditation as a consultant. Soon we will be sending out a survey to members to give us a better picture of the situation so I’d be grateful if you would complete that when requested. Watch this space for further developments in this area.

EMDR UK Podcasts

Our podcast series is now available on Apple podcasts, along with all other major platforms (Amazon music/Audible, Spotify, Google podcasts, Buzzsprout, etc) by searching ‘EMDR Association UK’. Listen / subscribe for interviews with many international EMDR figures.

Jiscmail

We sometimes hear of questions being asked of or about EMDR UK via Jiscmail. Please remember that Jiscmail is not linked in any way to EMDR UK. If you have any questions about your Association please email Dawn ( info@emdrassociation.org.uk ) or email any board member directly via: https://emdrassociation.org.uk/meet-the-team/

EMDR Therapy Quarterly (ETQ)

The latest edition of EMDR UK’s magazine, ETQ ( etq.emdrassociation.org.uk/ )
is out now bringing news and regular features. The new issue includes: a radical response to the Counsel of Scholars who describe EMDR as being at a “crossroads”; resilience, the theme of EMDR Europe 2022 and how practitioners can make sense of the construct to help clients in these difficult times; a personal experience of walking EMDR therapy.

Equality, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (EDI) EMDRUK Webinars

The EDI committee are pleased to announce that we will be delivering a series of webinars in 2023 and beyond. We would like to invite our membership to express their interest in presenting a webinar or being involved in a podcast relating to Equality, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. If you’re interested email the chair: l.mackinney@emdrassociation.org.uk

LinkedIn

Our LinkedIn page continues to grow. It’s an ideal virtual place to network and has some great content too. Please subscribe and share with your colleagues: LinkedIn

New Specialist Interest Groups (SIGs)

SIGs are a great member benefit, where you can learn from colleagues and share best practice. New SIG members can join the Association free for the 1st year. Two new SIGs have just launched. A Perinatal SIG run by Dr Miriam Inder miriam@betterbeginnings.co.uk and the Sexologists SIG run by Rima Hawking rima@supanet.com with its first event running on 14th Sept at 1300-1430. There is likely to be a EMDR and Climate Change SIG starting soon as well. For the full list of SIGs visit: EMDRUK RGs and SIGs . If you are interested in setting up a new EMDR SIG contact l.mackinney@emdrassociation.org.uk

A Climate Positive Charity

For many years we have considered how to reduce our carbon footprint and improve our green credentials, and we continue to do so. Moving most of our board meetings online has significantly helped in this area. In addition, we recently signed up to Ecologi. This allows us to offset the predicted emissions of board business, along with our employees and contractor’s work. To find out more visit: https://ecologi.com/emdrassociationuk

Free first year’s membership

Remember to spread the news to colleagues that the EMDRUK first year’s free membership offer is now open to NHS clinicians, Regional or Special Interest Group members, as well as EMDR trainees. For more details: EMDR UK Membership

Trauma Aid UK

On the 24th of September in Brighton there is a Regional Group event for Sussex based EMDR therapists with local speakers talking about their EMDR therapy work, a networking lunch, guided meditation and remembering for Sian. It’s an in-person event only. For more information visit: http://www.emdrsussex.co.uk

Congratulations to Shiraz Ferrand in becoming the new president of TAUK. Sian had requested this before her passing. I’m certain Shiraz will do an excellent job in continuing Sian’s legacy. If you want to support TAUK and their work, please visit: https://www.traumaaiduk.org

Thanks to various members of EMDR UK who supported a recent TAUK Part 1 accredited training for 46 delegates in Cairo this summer. That brings the total number of clinicians trained to over 175 since 2018. They are now on the verge of setting up EMDR Egypt.

EMDR Training Research

The Council of Scholars is conducting a retrospective analysis of all individuals across the world who have been trained in EMDR either formally or informally. To provide anonymous feedback on your EMDR training go to: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CoSTAG2RP

That’s it for now. Stay involved and keep looking after yourselves and each other.

Matt Wesson
President, EMDR UK