Clarke University MSW Department Holds EMDR Training and Awards Scholarship

Clarke University’s Social Work Department recently hosted an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) event with more than 50 local professionals to stay current on therapeutic interventions and to connect with other social worker professionals. This event took place on Clarke’s campus over two weekends in January and February as an intensive weekend program with consultation between the trainings.

EMDR is a therapeutic technique learned by clinical, master-level work professionals. It is often used to help clients overcome traumas.

Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy, individuals can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma.

Clarke Social Work Instructor Valerie Gill said, “By offering EMDR training here at Clarke, we are keeping current on evidence-based therapeutic treatment and giving our MSW graduates and social workers in the community an opportunity to be trained in this effective treatment approach to better serve their clients.“

The Social Work Department also awarded a scholarship to alumnus Lynette Pritchard ’16 for $2000, the cost of the training. She is now working as a school social worker.