About Barbara

EMDR Since 2000

VIRTUAL EMDR ONLINE/VIRTUAL EMDR CONSULTATION ONLINE
DUE TO COVID 19, I HAVE TRANSITIONED MY PRACTICE TO ONLINE SESSIONS ONLY.
ALL EMDR CONSULTATION FOR EMDR CILINICIANS AND EMDR COUNSELLING SESSIONS
ARE PROVIDED THROUGH ZOOM, AND/OR FACETIME.
BOTH PLATFORMS INCLUDE SECURITY STANDARDS FOR YOUR PROTECTION.

My Education:

I was trained in EMDR in 2000. Currently I am both an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Clinician, an
Approved EMDR Consultant
I was an EMDR Canada Board Member from 2016-2020
EMDR Basic Training Facilitator with Marshall Wilensky

EMDR Professional development:

EMDR Level I and II (Vancouver) in 2000 under Marshall Wilensky
EMDRIA Certified EMDR Clinician and EMDRIA Approved Consultant under Katie O’Shea,
who specializes in early childhood trauma
EMDR with Children and Youth by Ricky Greenwald 2017 Vancouver BC
When there are no words: reprocessing early trauma and neglect
in implicit memory with EMDR by Katie O’Shea 2015 Vancouver BC
EMDR Canada Conferences 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Looking Through the Eyes of Trauma and Dissociation: EMDR and Ego State Therapy
Across the Dissociative Continuum Sandra Paulsen, Ph.D. 2016 Victoria, BC

My education includes an undergraduate (BSW), and graduate degree (MSW) from the
University of British Columbia, as well as a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy Degree) in Education
from Simon Fraser University.

Other professional development activities:

Gottman Couples Therapy Level I, II and III
Life skills coach training (Edmonton)
One eye integration OEI (Vancouver)
Narrative Therapy (Vancouver)
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level I (Vancouver)
Cognitive Behavioral strategies for treating complex trauma: Padesky (Vancouver)
Crisis intervention (Vancouver)
DSM IV (Vancouver UBC RS)
EAP training (Vancouver)
Clinical Hypnosis (Vancouver)
Life space crisis intervention (Vancouver)
Mental Illness First Aid (Vancouver)
Pharmacology (New Westminster)
SASSI Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (Port Coquitlam)
Suicide (Vancouver)
Strengths based CBT: Padesky (Vancouver)
Trauma and the brain-neuroscience (Victoria)
Trauma and addiction (New Westminster)
Trauma and the body: somatic psychotherapy (New Westminster)
Treating complex trauma (UCLA)

Memberships:

BC College of Social Workers (registered for private practice)
BC Association of Social Workers
EMDR Canada
EMDRIA

My Professional Experience:

Fortunately, I was trained in EMDR in 2000, so I have been using EMDR since then. I also
conduct consultation for other EMDR Clinician, have sponsored advanced trainers to come to
BC, was a volunteer Board Member of EMDR Canada from 2016-2019, and I am a EMDR Basic
Training Practicum Facilitator.

While I worked in the helping field since the mid-eighties, my work as a professional clinician
began in 2000, after I graduated with a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) at UBC. The
people I work with face one or more of the following concerns: anxiety; depression; abuse
suffered during childhood and preverbal trauma; couple or family issues; grief and loss; low self
esteem; residential school; school or workplace concerns; sexual abuse; stress and burnout;
trauma (PTSD) due to accidents, disasters, war.

From 2001 to 2009 I also taught classes at the UBC School of Social Work, including
coursework on addictions, PTSD/intergenerational trauma and Practice with First Nations.

My personal experience, and how it influences my work:

Having overcome extensive personal challenges in my own life, I recognize the importance of
a) providing a safe, nurturing and comfortable environment in which to explore concerns,
b) respecting clients’ treatment goals,
c) assisting clients to gain and master skills to handle symptoms arising from the various
challenges they face,
d) helping clients resolve the issues that continue to interfere with their ability to achieve their
life goals and desires.

My thoughts and beliefs:

Below are some of my thoughts and beliefs which are based on my personal and professional
experience, as well as my training and education.
There is always hope.
Healing is a journey not an event.
Healing happens when we bring ourselves and our story into the light.
The answer lies within.
Healing is a process that requires attention to thoughts and feelings, and, to the body.
We get out of it what we put into it.
Once upon a time I was in a place where I could not see a light at the end of the tunnel, and I had
no hope, but I sought professional help. Somewhere along the way, I had the feeling that I wasn’t
in the tunnel alone anymore…there was a helper with a flashlight and a toolkit to help me find
my way. Today, I am the person with the flashlight and the toolkit.
I consider it a privilege to do this work.