I'm on the board of the Humanitarian Assistance Program of EMDR. We are a non-profit organization whose goal is to "expand access to effective mental health treatment for traumatized and underserved communities through direct service and training of local caregivers, anywhere in the world."
HAP's current projects include training therapists in Lebanon, the West Bank,India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Domestically, it has a big project on the Gulf Coast (post-Katrina), and many projects training staff of community mental health centers, rape crisis centers, child treatment agencies, VA's, military counseling staff, and where ever a non-profit group, serving underserved populations asks them to go (given specific criteria, of course). It is often described as "Doctors Without Borders" for mental health. All trainers and facilitators are volunteers. Trainees are encouraged to become facilitators, and then trainers, so as to create a training infrastructure in each area. (This has happened in Israel, and is well on its way in both the West Bank, and India.)
HAP sends volunteer therapists to some disaster scenes. Many HAP volunteers assisted New Yorkers, post-911, and people in the Gulf Coast, post-hurricanes. In my town, Seattle, we've worked with people in the aftermath of a shooting incident, and with some Katrina transplants. HAP in the midst of formalizing our Trauma Recovery Network (TRN) to be able to connect volunteers to people who need them. Volunteers give 5 free stabilization and EMDR sessions to clients, and are not allowed to see the people, for fee, at anytime. If you are a certified EMDR-therapist, you can volunteer for the TRN here. If you'd like to know more about HAP or make a donation, click here. It's a great organization, well-managed, with most of the money going to direct service. For having a tiny staff, it does alot. HAP's goal for next year is to train 1200 people, who would not otherwise have its traumatology or EMDR trainings. I'm proud to be part of it.
This note was most welcome. I read with interest about the services introduced into the Philippines. I contacted the nonprofit organization but received no reply. Perhaps I could ask here how I can find trauma services for a friend living in the Philippines (per your note). I was unable to obtain this information from HAP.
Posted by: Mark | May 08, 2007 at 12:21 AM
Try calling HAP. The email may not get to the right person. (203) 288-4450
I don't know if they can help you, but it's worth a try.
Here are 3 people I found at the EMDR Institute site.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Johnny B Decatoria PhD Part 2 Bacolod City 6100 63 64 7075891
Marlene Gonzales-Abola MA Part 2 Quezon City 1108 632-922-6574
Mary Rebecca Jameiro Part 2 Tagaytay City 4120 6346-413-1346
I hope it's helpful for you.
Posted by: Robin Shapiro | May 08, 2007 at 09:13 AM
About 3 years ago I dropped into a black hole – four months of absolute terror. I wanted to end my life, but somehow [Holy Spirit], I reached out to a friend who took me to hospital. I had three visits [hospital] in four months – I actually thought I was in hell. I imagine I was going through some sort of metamorphosis [mental, physical & spiritual]. I had been seeing a therapist [1994] on a regular basis, up until this point in time. I actually thought I would be locked away – but the hospital staff was very supportive [I had no control over my process]. I was released from hospital 16th September 1994, but my fear, pain & shame had only subsided a little. I remember this particular morning waking up [home] & my process would start up again [fear, pain, & shame]. No one could help me, not even my therapist [I was terrified]. I asked Jesus Christ to have mercy on me & forgive me my sins. Slowly, all my fear has dissipated & I believe Jesus delivered me from my “psychological prison.” I am a practicing Catholic & the Holy Spirit is my friend & strength; every day since then has been a joy & blessing. I deserve to go to hell for the life I have led, but Jesus through His sacrifice on the cross, delivered me from my inequities. John 3: 8, John 15: 26, are verses I can relate to, organically. He’s a real person who is with me all the time. I have so much joy & peace in my life, today, after a childhood spent in orphanages . God LOVES me so much. Fear, pain, & shame, are no longer my constant companions. I just wanted to share my experience with you [Luke 8: 16 – 17]. EMDR was the icing on the cake, for me. I wanted to live and was prepared to do anything to RECOVER that "Little Boy", who was lost for all those desperate, and lonely years. God helps those who help themselves.
Thank you, Jesus for being with me in my LONG DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL!! What I experienced was nothing compared with what you did for mankind - YOU died on a cross for our sins. I love you so much Jesus, because you LOVED me first. I was lost and was found.
PEACE BE WITH YOU
MICKY
Posted by: Micky | July 05, 2007 at 02:50 AM
Dear Micky,
I'm so sorry about the "black hole". I'm glad that you were able to climb out of it. God's help is crucial. And I'm glad that EMDR could be part of your healing.
Bless you,
Posted by: Robin Shapiro | July 05, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Hello... I am newly trained CISD facilitator and our trainor/speaker was dr johnny decatoria. He did very well in his lecture and i learned a lot. I just wanna ask if u can couch/teach me later to become an effective facilitator. As of now, i haven't experience conducting CISD except in our simulation a while ago. By the way ma'am i work in a military hospital as a psychologist. Thank you very much and more power. Godbless
Posted by: fe | June 18, 2010 at 08:06 AM