Update from the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

As we welcome spring, we continue to see much turmoil and adversity globally, and it is vital that we support vulnerable groups and people. This may include our clients, peers, our environment and ourselves.

I am happy to share that Emma Mullins-Crocker will be shadowing me whilst in the position of deputy chair with a view to taking the chair position of the EDI Committee in July 2025. I will remain on the committee as past chair. I am committed to EDI (equality, diversity and inclusivity) development within the EMDR UK Association. We are grateful for the continued interest from members expressing an interest in contributing to the work of the EDI Committee, which will be revisited once Emma has transitioned into the chair position.

Whilst the beginning of 2025 brought four new members to the EDI Committee, Azucena Guzman, unfortunately, is unable to commit to the work of the committee at this time. Beverley Carrington will also be taking a break from the committee due to her outside commitments. We hope to welcome Beverley back next year.

ETQ

It was my pleasure to meet and welcome Dean Whybrow, our new editor of the ETQ. We spoke about continuing the fabulous work Beverly Coghlan started with integrating EDI into the publication. We discussed how we could monitor, maintain and further develop the work she started. We look forward to working with Dean. Like Beverly, Dean is a supportive and containing editor who strives to support new and established authors. Dean has assured me that he too will continue to support authors and promote and encourage equality, inclusivity and diversity. I would encourage you to reach out to Dean with contributions (or share ideas for publication) at d.whybrow@emdrassociation.org.uk.

Webinars

The EDI Committee has engaged in a multimedia approach in providing EDI-related opportunities for its members. We encourage members to engage with the EDI Committee by way of sharing their areas of interest via webinars, podcasts, the forum and/or ETQ articles.

The committee continues to source and deliver a multimedia approach that focuses explicitly on working with marginalised and underserved groups, adapting and developing our EMDR practice. If this is something you could offer and are an EMDR therapist (practitioner, consultant or trainer), please get in touch.

There are a number of CPD events that can be accessed here.

Bursary to come

The Association has agreed to offer some bursaries to access standard EMDR and C&A EMDR training, books and clinical supervision. We are in the process of setting up a process of application. This will take some time, so please bear with us.

Short Life Working Group (SLWG): Guidance

We are working on developing some tip sheets/guidance on accessibility to events for the Association. These will be shared via the forum when they are ready.

Regional groups (RGs) and special interest groups (SIGs)

Kamla Dadral continues to coordinate the reflective space for ethnically minoritised EMDR UK members to share their narratives and processes, and to think about the next steps as a group. Please contact Kamla Dadral via email to find out more or to join the reflective group at kamladadral7@gmail.com.

Awareness days

Thank you to the SIGs and RGs that have shared awareness and heritage days they wish the association to highlight. Soon we will be in contact to ask for contributions from relevant SIGs to consider contributing to supporting the awareness building via the ETQ, podcasts, sharing resources and webinars. Katy Bell and David Leck will be working with the Association to support the promotion and work in this area.

Forum

The EMDR UK Forum is a great place to share ideas, experiences and resources. The Association aims to develop a safe space to explore issues relating to EDI. The aim is, of course, for EDI to be overtly integrated throughout the forum. Fiona Corbett and Karen Crowe share resources in the EDI section of the forum.

Accessible answerphone

We have attempted to increase accessibility to the Association and an answerphone has been live since May 2023.
 

Accessible answerphone number: 0151 372 6802

This is an accessible answerphone line for those who cannot email the Association. The answerphone will not be monitored on weekends and during holiday periods. Please be mindful that queries will be responded to as soon as possible but may take a few days. If you are able to email, please do so on admin@emdrassocation.org.uk

Please be aware there is a process of reasonable adjustments and mitigating circumstances that members can access. Please contact admin@emdrassociation.org.uk to be directed to the right person in relation to your query.

Heena Chudasama

HChudasama@emdrassociation.org.uk

EDI Committee Chairperson