Healing with Pride: Queer Affirmative EMDR

6.5 CE CREDITS

Join us for an online interactive workshop that goes beyond theory, providing practical skills you can implement immediately.

Key Audience: Social Workers, Clinicians, Psychologists
Learning Level: Beginner, Intermediate

Register by 4/22/25
for our
Next Live Webinar Tuesday 4/29/25
9 am - 5 pm EST

Email Will at wkoehler@discosock.com
with questions or concerns

Course Description

All mental health clinicians work with trauma as trauma is implicated in every mental health disorder. Thus, understanding The Adaptive Information Processing Model (AIP)- what trauma is, how trauma occurs and symptoms and behaviors of when it does are essential to providing thorough assessments, accurate treatment planning and appropriate therapeutic interventions. This workshop will focus on these aspects and take a closer look at the effects of trauma in the LGBTQ+ community. During EMDR phase I it is important to ask about gender, client’s terminology, experiences with and relationship to having LGBTQ+ identities. In phase 2 we also ask about good experiences and positive attributes a client has gained from having queer identities and install them as resources. In phases 3-8 we concentrate on relationship attunement, cultural inclusion (examples- cultural oriented options on the NC/PC list and guiding clients to not say things out loud if they don’t want to), We will touch on the chemistry of the brain and body along with the Polyvagal Theory and memory reconsolidation as it relates to EMDR and explaining EMDR to clients.   

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe how we digest and process experiences AIP
  • List at least 5 factors that can contribute to an event being experienced as traumatic for an LGBTQ+ person
  • Describe the basics of the 8 phases of Queer Affirmative EMDR.
  • Identify at least 3 ways to make phases 3-8 accessible to folks with queer identities 
  • Integrate at least 3 resource exercises into your practice 
  • Recognize and describe at least 2 integrations of evidence-based interventions in Queer Affirmative EMDR.  

William Koehler Koehler

Will Koehler PhD, LCSW (pronouns: he/they) is founder of Disco Sock Productions, LLC., author of memoir - Dragons & Disco Socks (2021), co-owner of the counseling practice Journey to a Trauma Informed Life, LLC and Executive Director of Journey: Healing Together.

His areas of expertise include trauma-informed, culturally competent treatment of traumatic stress and dissociative disorders, mental health concerns among LGBTQ+ individuals, children exposed to violence and abuse, and those living with HIV.

Since 2009, he has served the NW PA region as a Clinical Social Worker by empowering LGBTQ+ youth and adults with evidence-based, trauma-focused outpatient counseling. He currently provides training, supervision, and consulting services in the areas of LGBTQ+ competency, trauma-informed practices, and is an EMDRIA-approved Consultant. Koehler founded Disco Sock Productions in honor of his grandmother who encouraged him to share his light with everyone without prejudice. Hence, DSP is an online coaching, consulting, and training platform to help illuminate the darkness cause by trauma.

For more information you can connect with him at: www.discosock.com, email him at WKoehler@discosock.com or find him on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DiscoSockProductions, Facebook: facebook.com/discosockproductions, or LinkedIn: WillKoehlerLCSW His work is also Psychology Today.

Kriss Jarecki

Kriss has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1987. She is a consultant and trainer for Progressive Counting and EMDR and an advanced training provider. Kriss currently serves on the EMDR International Association Board of Directors and was a member of the EMDRIA Standards and Training Committee for four years. She served as a co-regional coordinator for the WNY EMDR Regional Network for 10 years, worked for 7 years as a field instructor for the UB School of Social Work and has over ten years’ experience as a clinician and supervisor in the field of chemical dependency. Kriss currently has a private practice serving teens through adults and treats challenges such as PTSD, self-injurious behaviors, depression, anxiety, phobias, and adjustment issues. She has published articles in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, Traumatology and Counseling and Psychotherapy Research. Kriss developed a course on trauma and shame and a course on trauma and disabilities for the University of Buffalo School of Social Work. She also provides several trauma related trainings such as Integrating Neuroscientific Interventions in Trauma Treatment, A Tour of Trauma Sensitive Techniques for the EMDR Practitioner, IFS Meets EMDR and Journey of the LGBTQ+ Community from Trauma to Triumph. Kriss presented “From Trauma to Triumph: Journey to Resiliency in the Community of Those with a Disability at the EMDR Canada 2022 and 2023 conferences and the EMDR International Association 2022 conference. Her book, Say That Again: A Smorgasbord of Suggestions, Sayings and Scripts for the EMDR Practitioner can be viewed and purchased at BookBaby:   https://store.bookbaby.com/book/say-that-again and on Amazon https://a.co/d/6yrgUS0 . Go to harmonyhearthwisdom.com for training details, interesting information and consultation opportunities. https://store.bookbaby.com/book/say-that-again

Course Curriculum

Course interactivity

This is a live, online course with interaction between attendees and instructor(s). Interactions occur in real time through Zoom or Google Meet. Chat, verbal, and video options can be used. Some small group activities are included in this course. 

Course completion requirements

For live online courses, attendance will be taken at the beginning and end of each session and monitored throughout the course. Zoom and/or Google Meet will provide a record of when you logged in and off. Attendance needs to be demonstrated visually (i.e. your camera needs to be on) throughout the duration of the course. Attendees must be present for the full duration of the course to receive any CEs.

Attendees must complete a course evaluation to be considered as successfully completing this course.

Your CE certificate will be emailed as a .pdf attachment within 10 business days of course completion (for live courses). 

How to Register
Must register by April 22, 2025 for the
April 29, 2025 Webinar

This is a live, online course with interaction between attendees and instructor(s). Interactions occur in real time through Zoom or Google Meet. Chat, verbal, and video options can be used. Some small group activities are included in this course.

Most popular

Queer Affirmative EMDR + 6.5CEs &/or EMDRIA credit

$299 USD

  • Live Online Course + CE Certificate and/or EMDRIA credit (verify license and EMDRIA info in confirmation email)

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Queer Affirmative EMDR

$249 USD

  • A Live Online Continuing Education Experience

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Disco Sock Productions LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7645. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Disco Socks Productions LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

This course has been approved by EMDRIA for 6.5 CE Credits. EC Program Approval Number: #18018-3. Disco Socks Productions LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

CUE Management Solutions, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CUE Management Solutions, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CUE Management Solutions, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education. Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed. psychologists #PSY-0242.

Testimonials

"Kriss and Will make this challenging subject approachable. They answered all of our questions and presented with knowledge and kindness."
“Loved the information on the brain. It explained and normalized many things clients experience and I can’t wait to share with mine.”
“This was a great training if you had no prior information on trauma, how it is processed and how it can be treated. I appreciated all of the terminology that was presented, as much of it I had never utilized before.”
“Trauma info and queer community was well integrated. Pieces were separated, but then very effectively connected. The presenters were professional, provided education, but also approached training from a trauma approach in their delivery of information.”
“It was overall very good. It explained a lot about trauma and how it affects our bodies which is a big concept professionals are still grasping. I liked that there were interactive parts which broke up looking at the screen the whole time. Just overall very informative."
“I appreciated the visuals and case examples. Appreciated the simplicity of how complex material was explained. Small group discussions were good. Applicable to my practice.”
“I enjoyed the conference and found the speakers engaging and the subject matter interesting and informative.”
“The introductions at the beginning were helpful for grounding. I liked the breathing exercises in between segments.”
“Will and Kriss packed a variety of information and provided opportunities for meaningful discussion."

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