Attachment-Focused EMDR – Tools & Techniques to Heal Trauma with Dr. Laurel Parnell (170)

by | Mar 1, 2022 | Attachment, Brain Science, Episodes, Guest Interviews, Neuroscience, Therapy, Trauma | 0 comments

Show Notes

When talk therapy isn't enough

How Attachment-Focused EMDR works and when to use it

While talk therapy can be an incredible resource for working through and healing traumas – sometimes it is not enough. The theory around trauma is that when it occurs it “gets locked in the nervous system” in the form of fragmented thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. This makes true healing difficult.  Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, also known as EMDR, is an evolving science that utilizes bilateral stimulation to help connect the left side of the brain to the right in order to form more cohesive, healing thoughts to better support the healing process.

Dr. Laurel Parnell is a leading expert in EMDR, and uses her vast knowledge to help train thousands of clinicians worldwide to spread the safe science. Using the “lighting it up and linking it up” methodology combined with the Four Foundational Resources, Parnell helps individuals suffering from PTSD and other obstacles better navigate their world and release some of the tension stored within the body and mind. Tune in for this episode as co-host Dr. Ann Kelley and Dr. Parnell take a deep dive into the evolution and successes of EMDR.

 

“…people can spend years in talk therapy working through some horrible accident, and they're not getting better because the therapy isn't reaching where the trauma's stored and it's not helping with that integration of the nonverbal experience…”

Join our Therapist Uncensored online community as a TU Neuronerd and help support getting this content out to the world.

For deeper dives into topics and extra episodes, join our online community for as little as $5 a month and get deep-dive content, ad-free feed, Ask Me Anything sessions, discounts on anything we produce and unique study opportunities. 

About Laurel Parnell

Clinical psychologist and director of the Parnell Institute for Attachment-Focused EMDR, Dr. Laurel Parnell is a leading expert on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She has served on the faculty of the California Institute for Integral Studies in San Francisco, as well as at John F. Kennedy University. Parnell is also the co-director of the non-profit Trauma Assistance Program-International, “TAP-IN”. She has dedicated her life to training thousands of clinicians both nationally and internationally and is the author of six books on EMDR.

 

Time Stamps

1:11 – What we do with EMDR

5:44 – Introducing the Four Foundational Resources

12:30 – Explanation of what Standard EMDR looks like

16:05 – Breaking Down Bilateral Stimulation

21:12 – The Connection between REM Sleep & EMDR

27:49 – “Little T” Traumas and “Big T” Traumas

29:57 – “Creating Ideal Communities” for Healing

35:22 – Integrating Attachment-Focused EMDR

46:53 – How to Integrate EMDR Virtually

53:04 – Making Modifications to the Practice

1:06:55 – Understanding EMDR Timelines

Resources

Dr. Laurel Parnell's Website

Parnell Institute EMDR Website

EMDR Training Workshops

Parnell Institute Facebook Group 

Find an EMDR Trained Therapist 

Christie Sprowl's Website – EMDR Expert

Dr. Francine Shapiro's Website

“Inside the Mind of Dr. Dan Siegel” – Therapist Uncensored Podcast

Laurel Parnell's Books (Click the Image to Purchase)

 

 

 

 

Not ready to join us as an official Neuronerd? We respect that, no sweat, just glad you know it's an option. But if you are this deep into the show notes we hope you have gotten something from the wealth of content in our episode library and we'd love it if you might share it with someone you think could use it.  The way new people find us is mainly word of mouth, so leaving a rating or review – that is how the good content finds its way across the world. Thanks, friend!

 

 

 

Recent Episodes

From Crisis to Connection: Attachment as a Lifeline with Dr. Lisa Firestone (292)

From Crisis to Connection: Attachment as a Lifeline with Dr. Lisa Firestone (292)

Co-host Sue Marriott and guest Lisa Firestone examine how attachment wounds, emotional dysregulation, and relational disconnection can quietly escalate into crisis. Together they explore the often-overlooked link between attachment patterns and suicidality, and why understanding your relational blueprint may be one of the most important protective factors you have. Blending research, clinical experience, and practical strategies, this episode offers tools for building emotional resilience, increasing self-awareness, and supporting others through vulnerable moments. Listen to the full episode now at TherapistUncensored.com/TU292

read more
Nontoxic Guide to Healthy Living with Dr. Aly Cohen (290)

Nontoxic Guide to Healthy Living with Dr. Aly Cohen (290)

Dr. Aly Cohen and co-host Dr. Ann Kelley discuss the often-overlooked importance of drinking water quality, the impact of environmental toxins on health, and the connection between gut health and mental well-being. Dr. Cohen highlights the alarming rise of autoimmune diseases and the role of hormones and chemicals in our health. Learn practical, manageable ways to reduce toxin exposure, while exploring how nutrition, lifestyle choices, education, and community support play a vital role in empowering people to take control of their health.

read more
Celebrating 10 Years of TU: Growth, Reflections & the Future (289)

Celebrating 10 Years of TU: Growth, Reflections & the Future (289)

In this special 10-year anniversary episode, Sue and Ann reflect on a decade of Therapist Uncensored – how it began, how it’s changed, and how the relationships formed have deepened along the way. They share candidly about the influence from our listeners in keeping them curious, accountable, and grounded, as well as the ways their own thinking has evolved through conversations with leading experts and thoughtful audience feedback. Together they explore the joys and tensions of teaching in the mental health space, including the importance of humility, questioning long-held assumptions, and recognizing the limits of any single perspective. This episode is both a celebration and a recommitment – to inclusivity, to amplifying diverse voices, and to ongoing learning in a field that is constantly evolving. And above all, it’s a heartfelt thank-you to the community that has made the last ten years possible. View the full show notes at TherapistUncensored.com/TU289

read more
In Each Other’s Care: Building & Sustaining Healthy Relationships with Stan Tatkin – Replay – (288)

In Each Other’s Care: Building & Sustaining Healthy Relationships with Stan Tatkin – Replay – (288)

Conflict in relationships is inevitable – find out the ins and outs of repair for healthy relationships.

We are back with relationship expert, Dr. Stan Tatkin to explore the inner workings of relationships from a biological and societal perspective, and his new book, In Each Other’s Care. All humans are complicated creatures and if we spend enough time with each other, it’s going to get tense.  That part is OK, but what happens after arguing disconnection or tension is what really matters.

read more
Trailblazers in Love: Understanding & Advocating for the LGBTQ+ Community with Jeff Lutes – Replay – (286)

Trailblazers in Love: Understanding & Advocating for the LGBTQ+ Community with Jeff Lutes – Replay – (286)

Replay from our 2024 episode – this is a special conversation between co-host Sue Marriott and special guest Jeff Lutes. Both members of the LGBTQ+ community, this discussion dives into raising families, the evolution of the community, allyship, gender, and the importance of advocacy. While there has been some progress, the LGBTQ+ community still actively faces discrimination. Whether you’re a practicing therapist with clients in the community or have LGBTQ-identifying loved ones, this episode is for you. Through a personal and professional lens, this conversation offers new perspectives and shines a light on the significance of staying educated and being an active voice.

read more
Mind, Body, Heart, Spirit: Embodying Liberation Psychology with Dr. Shena Young – Replay – (285)

Mind, Body, Heart, Spirit: Embodying Liberation Psychology with Dr. Shena Young – Replay – (285)

Replay – Join co-host Sue Marriott and Dr. Shena Young as they dive into liberation psychology and the conflict between intuition and the traditional European model of psychology. Dr. Shena highlights embodying a holistic approach to help heal traumas and deeply root us in our most authentic selves. Whether through connections with nature or the exploration of ancestral traditions, this discussion is enriched with various opportunities to reconnect and liberate our mind, body, heart, and spirit.

read more
Family Estrangement: The Space Between Love & Self-Protection with Dafna Lender (284)

Family Estrangement: The Space Between Love & Self-Protection with Dafna Lender (284)

Dr. Ann Kelley is joined LIVE from Psychotherapy Networker with Dafna Lender, to explore the complex dynamics of parent-child estrangement. Focusing on the emotional and psychological impacts of cutting off family relationships, together they highlight the cultural influences that contribute to these estrangements, the therapeutic perspectives on navigating such situations, and the importance of empathy and boundaries in managing family dynamics. This conversation is about learning to hold both empathy and boundaries – understanding why someone might step away, and how to stay grounded and compassionate in the process. It’s an honest look at the heartbreak, the healing, and the hope that can emerge when families face difficult truths. View the full episode shownotes at TherapistUncensored.com/TU284

read more
Autism in Polyvagal Terms with Dr. Sean Inderbitzen (283)

Autism in Polyvagal Terms with Dr. Sean Inderbitzen (283)

Join host Sue Marriott and guest Dr. Sean Inderbitzen – an autistic psychotherapist and advocate for neurodiversity – as he shares his powerful personal and professional journey in understanding autism. Together, they explore the evolution of autism diagnosis, the intersections between attachment and neurodivergence, and how polyvagal theory can both illuminate and complicate the autistic experience. Dr. Inderbitzen offers insights on self-diagnosis, identity formation, and what truly person-centered therapy looks like for autistic individuals. This conversation highlights the central role of trust, safety, and authentic connection in helping neurodivergent clients thrive. You can view the full shownotes at TherapistUncensored.com/TU283.

read more
Saving Relationships in a Polarized World: Bill Doherty on Citizen Therapists & Political Healing (281)

Saving Relationships in a Polarized World: Bill Doherty on Citizen Therapists & Political Healing (281)

Dr. Ann Kelley sits down with Dr. Bill Doherty to explore the idea of “Citizen Therapists” and how therapists — and all of us — can help bridge divides in a polarized world. Together, they dive into discernment counseling for couples on the brink of divorce, the groundbreaking work of Braver Angels in fostering dialogue across political differences, and the skills we all need for hard but healing conversations. This conversation highlights the power of curiosity, respectful boundaries, and understanding – whether in our closest relationships or across society. View the full episode show notes at TherapistUncensored.com/TU281

read more
Bonus – Harnessing “Genius Energy”: The Art of Wise Effort for Growth with Dr. Diana Hill (280)

Bonus – Harnessing “Genius Energy”: The Art of Wise Effort for Growth with Dr. Diana Hill (280)

Ann Kelley and Diana Hill dive into the concept of wise effort and its impact on how we manage our energy in both personal and professional life. They explore the difference between life force energy and anxiety, the role of emotional sensitivity, and why community resilience matters. Diana shares insights on how to wisely channel your “genius energy,” break free from stuck patterns, and cultivate compassionate connections that support growth and balance. Listen to the full episode at TherapistUncensored.com/TU280

read more
Why Diets Don’t Work—and What to Do Instead with Judith Matz (277)

Why Diets Don’t Work—and What to Do Instead with Judith Matz (277)

Dr. Ann Kelley and expert Judith Matz unpack the complex relationship between dieting, emotional eating, body image, and weight stigma. Together they challenge conventional views on weight and health, emphasizing that fitness matters more than the number on the scale, and explores why most diets fail both psychologically and physiologically. They also cover the historical roots of fatphobia, the dangers of weight
bias in healthcare, and the rise of weight loss drugs like Ozempic. Judith highlights the importance of attuned eating, informed consent, and compassionate care, offering a weight-inclusive approach to healing our relationship with food and body. View full episode shownotes at TherapistUncensored.com/TU277

read more

What else do you want to learn today?

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This