2006 – A Fresh Start
Dear EMDR Practitioner Readers,
As we look forward into a New Year, we are all hoping that humankind will
see sunnier days in 2006. These past few years of havoc in the world have
traumatized each and every one of us. The media provides frightening opportunities
to witness - and join with - the pain of our neighbors worldwide. In the meantime,
practitioners of all varieties gallantly and generously come to the aid of the
direct victims of record-breaking hurricanes, earthquakes, bombings, fires,
floods and, of course, war. We work diligently to maintain a clear and positive
vision of the world, depending more on ourselves, disillusioned by a collection
of unenlightened leaders. There are challenges for practitioners. We reflect
on the details of our “purpose” in light of these world events,
struggling against the temptations of complacency, and fearing the onset of
compassion fatigue, and/or burn-out. Recognizing our own limitations is important.
But this does not come easy, and the consequent realization that we have less
control over the workings of the world can either drive us forward, or push
us back. It takes life experience to make us wise, and this maturational pull
forward must be assisted by self-care, and by positive community interaction.
I am pleased to continue to be a representative of what I like to call, the
EMDR Movement. EMDR practice guidelines reflect the best of its practitioners,
encouraging us to integrate, create, and renew ourselves both as practitioners
and as people, recognizing that we are all caught up in the same whirlwind.
We maintain our responsibility to assist when and where we can, and try to avoid
the guilt pangs that inevitably come along when we see the mess the world is
in, and realize we can’t always fix it.
EMDR has given us the skills to make powerful differences in people’s
lives. It allows us to focus our compassion and to apply it successfully.
The tenets of EMDR continuously provide reassurance that healing is possible,
no matter what, and that healing comes in many shapes and sizes. In fact, it
is natural to heal. It doesn’t take being an EMDR therapist to know this,
but we can remind others.
The EMDR Practitioner continues to make efforts to bring together and create
a positive community of therapists from across Europe, and the world. We
do this by sharing writings, case and resource reviews, techniques, and commentary
on relevant healing topics. Perhaps you have read a book that contributed to
your practice, been to an eye-opening conference, or experienced a special case
that you would like to tell us about. Please consider submitting your ideas
and drafts to me. We will continue to publish Dr. Marilyn Luber’s articles,
“In the Spotlight” from EMDRIA, highlighting the history and contributions
of special EMDR practitioners. And I will post a brief quarterly “Letter
from the Editor”. If you have an interest in becoming a member of our
review board, you are very welcome to inquire.
From 9-11 June, 2006, we will be having our 7th annual EMDR-Europe
conference in Istanbul, entitled “East Meets West”. The setting
in Turkey highlights the remarkable interchange of so many cultures in the world
today, giving us room to reflect on the rewards and the pressures of this inevitable
progression toward a world village. The timing is perfect, as Turkey continues
to commit itself to both Western (European) and Eastern perspectives, as an
East-West bridge in the European Union. Abstracts for presenters must be received
by the congress secretariat by January 30, 2006. Seriously consider contributing!
See the following web site for conference details: http://www.emdr2006.org
With this New Year comes the opportunity to appraise our responsibilities, and
to re-align them. Family, friends, neighbors, clients, patients, and the world
at large deserve the best of us. This is only possible if we put ourselves first.
Take good care this year, and be happy.
Dr. Scott E. Borrelli