Laurel Parnell (Part 2) – The Remarkable Transformative Power of EMDR Therapy: A Revolution in Trauma Treatment & Gateway to Transpersonal Openings

Ep. 131 (Part 2 of 3) | World renowned EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) therapy pioneer and trainer Dr. Laurel Parnell has used EMDR therapy with clients for decades with truly remarkable success. Laurel relates how EMDR therapy dissolves blocks caused by trauma, freeing clients from negative constructs so they can develop their own felt sense of truth, and express from and know their own true nature. After EMDR, she says, “singers sing, writers write, dancers dance.” Not only are clients freed, but the endpoint of EMDR therapy quite often rests in a transpersonal space that is invariably characterized by an upwelling of self-love and compassion for others, an opening to mystery and boundless possibility. Interestingly, because of the resonant field between therapist and client (interpersonal neurobiology), the therapist experiences the transpersonal opening when it happens as well. More often than not, Laurel tells us, the way the session unfolds is a surprise to both client and therapist, with long forgotten little “t” traumas turning out to be responsible for the client’s blocks rather than the expected major life traumas. 

Laurel makes it clear that the goal of EMDR is to empower the client; the therapist must allow the wisdom to reside in the client rather than in their own interpretation of what unfolds, and adhere strictly to a process of open inquiry. She describes how the therapist’s beliefs can limit the outcome and outlines the advantages of a therapist who has a spiritual practice and transpersonal awareness. Laurel’s leading edge at this point involves Multidimensional Integrative Healing, an evolution from her longtime experience with EMDR, where further dimensions of reality have so often emerged in her work, and her own spiritual journey. It is fascinating to hear her describe how we can not only install helpful inner resources for ourselves, but also counter intergenerational trauma by calling forward ancestral wisdom. A deeply intriguing, eye opening, and impactful conversation with a very wise, enthusiastic, far thinking trailblazer of a teacher. Recorded April 15, 2024.

“EMDR clears what isn’t true.”

(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)

Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2

• The amazing healing effects of after-death communications (00:55)
• Allan Botkin’s research with veterans, inducing after-death communication to heal PTSD (06:26)
• Roger’s experience of EMDR and how it healed his hypersensitivity (10:04)
• The therapist experiences the same healing, clearing process as the client, also opening into a transpersonal space (14:12)
• The importance of spiritual practice for the therapist: meditation, presence, watching thoughts, coming back to the moment, the ability to be curious, allowing things to unfold as they will (16:59)
• Can we do this on our own? Resource installation or resource tapping (19:35)
• Activating 4 strong foundational resources: peaceful place, nurturing figure, protective figure, and wise figure (21:09)
• NeuroTek devices that Laurel and clients can use to aid the process of bilateral stimulation (25:10) 
• Laurel’s spiritual path: from Tibetan Buddhism to Vipassana to nonduality (27:49)
• What is important in life after the dissolution of all constructs? (35:47)

Resources & References – Part 2

• Allan Botkin, Induced After-Death Communication: A New Therapy for Healing Grief and Trauma*
• Zen Master Seung Sahn, The Compass of Zen*, Only Don’t Know: Selected Teaching Letters of Zen Master Seung Sahn*
• NeuroTek EMDR Shop
• Laurel Parnell, Installing Resources: An Attachment-Focused EMDR™ In-session Demonstration (YouTube video)
• Tarthang Tulku, Tibetan Vajrayana teacher and lama who introduced the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism to the U.S.
• Lama Yeshe co-founded Kopan Monastery & the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition
• Jack Kornfield & Joseph Goldstein, Vipassana teachers (see also Deep Transformation episode #121, Living on the Spiritual Edge with Joseph Goldstein, or watch on YouTube)
• Jean Klein, spiritual teacher, The Ease of Being*
• Suzanne Segal, Collision with the Infinite: A Life Beyond the Personal Self*
• Dr. Laurel Parnell, Executive Director, The Parnell Institute, a major provider of EMDR training and educational programs, and leading authority on Attachment-Focused EMDR
• Find an EMDR Therapist at Parnell Institute
• Laurel Parnell, Transforming Trauma: EMDR: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Freeing the Mind, Clearing the Body, and Opening the Heart*
• Laurel Parnell, Rewiring the Addicted Brain: An EMDR-Based Treatment Model for Overcoming Addictive Disorders*
• Laurel Parnell, Attachment-Focused EMDR: Healing Relational Trauma*
• Laurel Parnell, Tapping In: A Step-by-Step Guide to Activating Your Healing Resources Through Bilateral Stimulation*

* As an Amazon Associate, Deep Transformation earns from qualifying purchases.

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Live Online Training at the Parnell Institute 

• June 7-8, 2024: Discover the Power of Multidimensional Integrative Healing and EMDR with Laurel Parnell

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Laurel Parnell, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of the Parnell Institute and developer of Attachment-Focused EMDR and Multidimensional Integrative Healing. She is a clinical psychologist, author of several books, and leading expert on Eye-movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Since 1995 she has trained thousands of clinicians in EMDR both nationally and internationally. A meditation practitioner since 1973, she brings a transpersonal orientation to her teaching as well as to her clinical work.

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Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell