What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.

EMDR was discovered in 1987 by a psychologist, Dr. Francine Shapiro. EMDR has been studied scientifically for more than 20 years. This research has proven that EMDR is an effective treatment for trauma and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The web site http://www.emdria.org/ has many articles describing EMDR techniques and research.

After several years of study the Veterans Admistration recently approved EMDR as an effective psychotherapy for PTSD. EMDR is the only therapy that has been shown to relieve PTSD symptoms such as flashbacks and nightmares in Vietnam veterans.

EMDR is a unique therapy in which eye movements, tapping or other types of stimuli are used. These alternating movements produce a state similar to REM (dreaming) sleep. In this state, the mind can let go and resolve old traumas which are blocking current growth and functioning. An interesting feature of EMDR is that it can be a "no talk" therapy -- the client does not have to discuss their trauma in detail to obtain relief.

Research is continuing to determine just exactly how EMDR works, but one theory is this:

Have you ever been working on something like a craft project and you just can't get it to work? You go to sleep that night and dream about craft projects all night long, then wake up in the morning with the solution to your problem. This is an example of unconscious problem solving in the REM dreaming sleep state. EMDR induces this dream state in waking life and allows the brain to find solutions to old problems.

For most people EMDR works quickly (5 to 6 sessions) to resolve traumatic memories, PTSD, phobias and other past baggage which is blocking their progress.

How to Find a Therapist

Finding a therapist is a difficult process for most people. The time when you really need a therapist is also usually a time when you are very overwhelmed, upset or depressed. When you are overwhelmed, it is difficult to take the time to make a careful decision.



There are many different schools of therapy with many different approaches to understanding why people have problems and what might help people solve problems. How can an average person chose between all these approaches? It is almost like a student trying to find the right college to attend out of all the colleges in the US. Or perhaps like person who has never been to church trying to pick out a church to attend. In other words, finding a therapist is confusing for the average person.



Research shows that when therapy works the most important factor is the relationship between the client and the therapist. Check out the web site http://www.talkingcure.com/ for more information about this research.



Because the relationship is so important, if possible, you should always interview three therapists before making your decision. Many therapists will offer a free initial interview to help you get to know them and how they work. Most insurances will cover three initial visits to three different therapists to help with this process. When you interview therapists, ask them what school of therapy they follow and how they would approach your problem. While you are meeting with the therapist and asking questions, also check within yourself for how the relationship feels -- often the right therapist will just "click".




A practical consideration when looking for a therapist is the payment source. Therapy can be quite expensive, so if possible you might want help with payment. In CA most insurance companies such as Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Medicare and Aetna cover psychotherapy. In you have been a victim of a violent crime, Victim Witness may help pay for therapy. If you have MediCal, you can receive free psychotherapy at County Mental Health. Also check out if your employer provides an EAP plan which covers brief counseling. If you do not have insurance there are community agencies sponsored by the United Way which offer low cost counseling.




If you have insurance such as Blue Cross, there will be a telephone number on the back of your insurance card with the listing "Behavioral Health". If you call that number and press 1, press 2, etc. you will eventually reach an operator who can give you the names of several therapists. Most insurance companies also have a web site with a search function you can use to find a therapist. If you are dealing with a specific issue such as addiction, search for therapists with experience in that area.



It is always a good idea to check the CA Behavioral Board website at http://www.bbs.ca.gov/ to find out if there are any complaints filed about the therapist and if their license is valid. You can search using the therapist's name or license number.

Good luck in finding just the right therapist for you.

My Resume

Clinical Experience

Private Practice 8/87-Present
San Luis Obispo, CA and Stamford, CT

Therapist in private practice. Specializing in alcohol, eating, gambling, and sexual addictions. Treatment modalities include brief and long-term psychotherapy utilizing individual, couples, and family therapy. Obtained initial CA supervisory training in January 2000. Have completed follow-up coursework as required and supervised a total of twelve trainees / interns. Completed second level training in EMDR.

Twin Cities Hospital 12/03-Present
Templeton, CA

Sole social worker for 110 bed hospital with 10 bed ICU. Provide counseling to patients and families, including crisis intervention and trauma therapy in Emergency Room. Member of Interdisciplinary Practice and Ethics Committees. Liaison to hospital chaplains. Responsible for coordinating staff response to patients with combined medical and psychological issues. Evaluate patients for transfer to psychiatric hospital. Assist families in making end-of-life decisions.

Designed and implemented innovative program to reduce staff stress during two year process of moving high risk medical units, ICU, ER and OB, to new hospital facility.

Rehab Care/Sierra Vista Hospital 4/98-12/03
San Luis Obispo, CA

Medical social worker. Provided counseling and case management to patients on rehabilitation unit. Diagnoses include stroke, TBI, and post-surgical complications. Ran support groups for patients and families. Provided in-service training to hospital staff on psychological topics. Supervised MSW. Responsible for streamlining department procedures and forms.

Alliance Home Health/Sierra Vista Hospital 1997-1998
San Luis Obispo, CA

Medical social worker. Performed home visits to the elderly. Conducted assessment and referred clients to needed resources.

Community Counseling Center 1997-1998
San Luis Obispo, CA

Intake coordinator for family service agency. Performed initial intake interviews, assessment, and placement for individuals, families, and children. Responsible for updating intake procedures and forms.

Kaiser Permanente 1989-1990
Stamford, CT

Primary therapist for HMO. Responsible for initial intake, assessment, and outside referrals. Conducted brief psychotherapy using play therapy and individual, couples, and family therapy. Led workshop for adult children of alcoholics.

Family and Children’s Service 1987-1989
Stamford, CT

Therapist for caseload of twenty clients, 10 to 87 years of age. Half of caseload were multi-problem indigent families. Continued specialization in alcoholism, incest, and child abuse. Led support group for adult children of alcoholics.

Family Service of Yonkers 1985-1987
Yonkers, NY

Therapist for caseload of thirty clients, 6 to 65 years of age. Specialized in alcoholism, incest, and child abuse. Supervised agency’s intake process.

Guidance Center of Camden County 1984-1985
Cherry Hill, NJ

Therapist for caseload of fifty clients, 3 to 76 years of age. One third of caseload were deinstitutionalized mentally ill adults. Established therapeutic group for children of single parent families. Led therapeutic group for schizophrenic adults.

Irving Schwartz Center for Children 1983-1984
Philadelphia, PA

Full-time field placement. Therapist for eleven learning disabled children and their parents.

Family Service of Philadelphia 1982-1983
Philadelphia, PA

Full-time field placement. Therapist for individuals and couples.

Volunteer Experience

Philadelphia Committee for the Homeless 1983-1984
Philadelphia, PA Outreach Worker

HOMES Halfway House 1981-1982
Ithaca, NY Life Skills Trainer

Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service 1981-1982
Ithaca, NY Telephone Crisis Counselor


Other Work Experience

Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research 1978-1982
Ithaca, NY Research Specialist


Education

Smith College School for Social Work PhD Student
Northampton, MA 2010 Class

Smith College School for Social Work MSW
Northampton, MA August, 1984

Thesis: Street Women of Philadelphia – An empirical study of homeless and vagrant street women.

President of Student Government.

Winthrop College B.S. - Cum Laude
Rock Hill, SC December 1977

Professional Affiliations

National Association for Social Workers EMDRIA - EMDR Practitioners Association

Publications And Professional Papers – Social Work

Johnston, Liz (2004), 100 Clinical Vignettes, self-published, San Luis Obispo, CA

Johnston, Liz (1998), Oral Exam Casebook, self-published, San Luis Obispo, CA

Johnston, Liz (1989), Co-Dependency: Feminist Perspectives, paper, Fourteenth National Conference on Feminist Psychology, Newport, RI

Johnston, Liz (1985), Homeless and Vagrant Street Women of Philadelphia, paper, Tenth National Conference on Feminist Psychology, New York, NY

Publications And Professional Papers – Biology

Wood, H.A., Johnston, L.B., and Burand, J.P. (1982), Inhibition of Autographa Californica Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus Replication in High Density Trichopulsia Ni Cell Cultures, Virology, Vol. 119 (2), pp. 245-254.

Wood, H.A., Hughes, P.R., Johnston, L.B. and Langridge, W.H. (1981), Increased Virulence of Autographa Californica Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus by Mutagenesis, Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, Vol. 38 (2), pp. 236-241.

Johnston, L.B., Vernick, S.H., and Sprague, V. (1978), Light and Electron Microscope Study of a New Species of Thelohania (Microsporida) in the Shrimp Pandalus Jordani, Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, Vol. 32 (3), pp. 278-290.