Tuesday, November 10, 2009

EMDR Training comes to Addis


Hope For Children hosted Ethiopia’s first EMDR-HAP training on November 6-8th. We were incredibly fortunate that Dr. Reyhana Seedat, who has taught EMDR throughout the world, flew in from South Africa to teach the workshop.


Twenty-seven Ethiopian psychologists, social workers and counselors received their Part 1 certificates at the end of the three days. The hours were very long and the material quite complex, but by the end of the training, everyone felt they had developed a greater understanding of trauma and were excited to begin using their newly acquired EMDR skills with their clients.


 
The classroom was tightly packed, but the lunchtime feasts gave everyone a chance to be outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather. Friendships blossomed, consultation and study groups were formed, and planning for Part 2 in March of 2010 is already underway.

During the next two weeks, Catherine and I will consult with all 27 therapists to help make sure they get a good start with EMDR. Catherine is also teaching a Psychodrama class on Thursday and an Advanced Trauma, Grief & Mourning class next Sunday, right before she flies home. I will stay an additional week to wrap up the consultations.



Many thanks to so many of you whose donations to Hope For Children-US and to HAP helped finance this training and helped us bring supplies, laminated materials, books, pointers, finger puppets and more to these therapists. They are off to a wonderful start thanks to your generosity!

Dorothy
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2 comments:

  1. SharonNovember 10, 2009 at 11:01 AM

    Wow! What great joy has begun and will continue as many are helped through the EMDR practiced by the participants in the first EMDR workshop! What mountains of gratitude lie in the future for both those who administer this work and those who receive this healing!!!! So happy for all involved!!!!...sharon

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  2. Terry HNovember 10, 2009 at 9:42 PM

    Dorothy – Kudos to you. From a simple request only a year ago, you planned, organized, implemented and have now executed a training program that will have a significant benefit for the long-suffering people of Ethiopia. Along with HAP and your fellow therapists, you have started a whole new line of mental health therapy for an entire country. The long-term beneficial effect of your efforts will be enormous. Good luck on the consultations over the next two weeks.

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