Notice That

In this episode of Notice That, we dive into one of the most avoided—and most essential—topics in mental health: sex, pleasure, and sexual health.We’re joined by Cassie Krajewski, LCSW, AASECT-certified sex therapist, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, and co-founder of Iris Training Collective. Cassie brings a deeply integrative lens to sexuality—one that moves far beyond technique and into conceptualization, embodiment, and healing.Together, we explore how sexual health is not a “specialty concern,” but a core dimension of human wellness—and how EMDR therapy offers a powerful, attuned framework for addressing sexual shame, desire, pleasure, and trauma.In this conversation, we explore:Why sexual health is a birthright, not a performance metricHow culture, religion, and shame disrupt embodiment and desireThe role of pleasure as a healing mechanism, not a rewardWhy many therapists avoid sex—and how that avoidance shows up clinicallyIntegrating sex therapy principles into EMDR case conceptualizationCreative and embodied resourcing for sexual trauma and low desireConsent, curiosity, and reclaiming agency in sexualityHow therapists can reflect on their own relationship to sex and pleasureThis episode is an invitation—to therapists and humans alike—to pause, notice, and gently question the stories we’ve inherited about sexuality… and to consider what healing might look like if pleasure were allowed back into the room.Free Resources on Cassie's website at inneratlastherapy.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EMDR for Couples: Healing Together Through Simultaneous ProcessingA Conversation with Arilda Surridge, LMFTWhat happens when EMDR moves beyond the individual—and into the relationship itself?In this episode of Notice That, Bridger and Jen sit down with Arilda Surridge, LMFT, author and EMDR clinician, to explore how EMDR can be ethically, safely, and powerfully integrated into couples therapy. Arilda shares a clear, grounded framework for working with two nervous systems in the room—without deviating from EMDR fidelity—and offers concrete clinical examples that bring this work to life.This conversation goes far beyond theory. Together, we walk through:When couples EMDR is and is not appropriateHow to assess whether a trauma is individual, shared, or relationalWhat simultaneous EMDR reprocessing actually looks like in practiceHow compassion, accountability, and repair emerge through bilateral stimulationWhy tools alone often aren’t enough for deeply dysregulated couplesArilda also shares clinical wisdom from her work with couples navigating car accidents, attachment injuries, guilt and shame, trust ruptures, and relational enactments—highlighting how EMDR can help partners move from reactivity to empathy.This episode is especially valuable for:EMDR therapists working with couplesClinicians navigating attachment trauma and relational enactmentsTherapists curious about maintaining EMDR fidelity in non-traditional applicationsAnyone interested in how trauma lives between people—not just within themAbout the GuestArilda Surridge, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist, EMDR clinician, and the owner of Wellness Counseling Inc. She specializes in integrating EMDR into couples therapy while maintaining fidelity to the eight-phase protocol. Arilda is the author of a practical, clinician-focused book on EMDR for couples and offers professional trainings on this emerging area of practice. Find out more about her practice here: https://wellnesscounselinginc.com/about/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join EMDR therapist and comedy content creator Jennifer Ann, known for her engaging social media presence, as she dives into the interplay of humor and therapy. Jennifer shares how a viral reel launched her online journey and discusses the importance of authenticity in her practice. The conversation explores navigating negativity in the digital space with a 'fuck 'em' mindset, while also highlighting the significance of playfulness in trauma work and the therapeutic connection. Discover the lighter side of healing as laughter meets depth!

In this episode of Notice That: An EMDR Podcast, Jen and Bridger sit down with Dr. Arielle Schwartz—somatic psychologist, EMDR therapist, and author of EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology—to explore what really happens when EMDR and body-based work are woven together in the therapy room.Together, they dive into:How Arielle’s early training in somatic psychology shaped the way she learned and practices EMDRWhy the body scan and somatic check-ins are not just “boxes to tick,” but core guides for pacing, target selection, and resolutionPolyvagal theory’s view of how trauma gets “tagged” in the nervous system—both in external cues and internal sensationsWhat to do when clients say, “I don’t feel anything in my body” and how even that response is meaningful dataThe myth that SUDs “should always go down,” especially with dissociative and complex trauma presentationsArielle and Barb Maiberger’s “golden nugget practice” and why we shouldn’t wait for a SUD = 0 to install and future-template meaningful shiftsTherapist embodiment: using our own nervous system as an instrument for attunement, pacing, and repairArielle also shares about her Somatic EMDR trainings through BodyLab, her therapist retreats in Sedona and Costa Rica, and her Beyond Trauma nervous system care retreats, including an immersive experience in South Africa that combines yoga, nervous system education, and observing animals in the wild.You’ll hear practical language, case examples, and flexible ways to honor EMDR’s structure while staying deeply relational, embodied, and responsive to the nervous system in front of you.Learn more about Dr. Arielle Schwartz:Website (events, retreats, trainings): resilienceinformedtherapy.comWebsite (blog, yoga, additional resources): drarielleschwartz.comCheck out her card deck that integrates nature photography with quotes from The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook—a powerful tool for helping clients locate themselves in their healing process and set intentions for EMDR and somatic work.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leigh Povia, a licensed clinical social worker and neurofeedback clinician, shares her expertise on trauma therapy. She demystifies neurofeedback, explaining how it mirrors brain states and aids in self-regulation. Leigh discusses its role in enhancing EMDR therapy when clients feel stuck. She shares a compelling case of a child finding calm through neurofeedback, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining therapeutic relationships. With practical insights on integrating neurofeedback into practice, her message is both enlightening and relatable for clinicians.

Sander Kamphuis, founder of WeMind, leads a digital revolution in EMDR therapy with innovative tools for bilateral stimulation and working memory taxation. He discusses the evolution of WeMind, emphasizing the dynamic adjustment of memory loads during sessions. Sander reveals insights on global EMDR practices and the cultural differences he's encountered. The conversation also highlights how technology can enhance therapeutic relationships and facilitate clinician confidence, all while maintaining the core elements of EMDR.

Jen and Bridger finally sit down to share stories and reflections from the 2024 EMDRIA Conference — a few weeks (or months?) later than planned. From early-morning flights and beachside content shoots to laughter-filled dinners and deep professional reflections, this episode captures the whirlwind of being presenters, exhibitors, and community builders all at once.They talk candidly about what it was like to present Enactment-Focused EMDR for the first time, the energy of meeting listeners face-to-face, and their behind-the-scenes take on the polarizing buzz around EMDR 2.0. It’s part travelogue, part professional reflection, and all the reasons this work matters.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this insightful discussion, David Polidi, a Massachusetts-based therapist and co-owner of Empowered Through Compassion, Bruce Hersey from the Syzygy Institute, and art therapist Peggy Kolodny delve into the fusion of IFS with EMDR. They explore how EMDR's eight phases can be enhanced through IFS and artistic methods. Bruce discusses viewing trauma targets as parts, while Peggy highlights the power of art in accessing nonverbal memories. Together, they advocate for a compassionate, creative approach to trauma therapy, promising to inspire a new wave of integration.

Explore the innovative concept of the Mosaic Enneagram, which redefines personality through a blend of agency, bonding, and certainty. The hosts unpack the limitations of single-type identity and highlight the value of a nuanced, triadic self-portrait. Personal stories reveal journeys of mistyping and the quest for authenticity. Can different aspects of ourselves coexist harmoniously? Dive into tools and insights that encourage honest self-narratives and relational exploration, enhancing both personal and professional growth.

Carol Miles, LCSW-BACS, is an EMDR trainer and the leader of the South Louisiana EMDR Regional Network. She dives into the challenges new EMDR clinicians face transitioning from training to practice. Key takeaways include barriers like confidence gaps and organizational issues. Carol emphasizes the importance of mentorship and community support to bridge this gap. She also discusses innovative methods using WeMind avatars for practical skill development and the shift towards cultural humility in therapy, aiming for effective and inclusive practice.