The Biology, Application, and Testimonials of EMDR

This presentation will cover the anatomical and physiological biology of EMDR to help people who don't fully understand how or why EMDR is more effective than other methods at treating trauma. To address the application of EMDR, Amanda Westerlund will film a mock EMDR session. In addition, this presentation will share multiple coworkers' first-hand experiences with EMDR, as well as personal reflections on the experiences upon completing in-person training for Weekend One.

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Learning Objectives

1. Participants will learn how to describe what happens inside a person's brain when effective EMDR is occurring.
2. Participants will be able to identify and describe how EMDR mimics what happens during REM sleep.
3. Participants will learn to how to identify when a client’s presenting problems are not the underlying issues.
4. Participants will be able to identify two or more ways to conceptualize client's symptoms and apply EMDR techniques with their clients.

Amanda Westerlund is a 30-year-old female, born and raised in Illinois. She lived in North Carolina for 5 years before moving to Wisconsin in 2021 and completing her MS-MFT degree through Capella University online Marriage and Family Therapy program. Currently, Amanda is an LMFT-IT intern at Oshkosh Marriage and Family Therapy Center, LLC and plans to complete her licensure in Wisconsin before becoming dual licensed in South Carolina and Wisconsin. Amanda aspires to learn and train in as many modalities as possible to provide clients with a multitude of ways to treat their traumas and lasting life problems. Her personal goals include rescuing as many dogs as possible and one doing completing a thru hiking trail. Additionally, Amanda will be WAMFT's Chair-Elect in 2025.