A screening tool is only as helpful as the conversation that follows… the Dissociative Experiences Scale isn’t a shortcut to diagnosis or a score that determines who is “appropriate” for treatment. It’s an invitation to get curious. When we slow down and interview the experiences behind the answers, we create space to understand the full picture - whether that includes ADHD, autism, complex trauma, dissociation, or something else entirely. Our job isn’t to label quickly. It’s to listen well enou
1:24
A screening tool is only as helpful as the conversation that follows… the Dissociative Experiences Scale isn’t a shortcut to diagnosis or a score that determines who is “appropriate” for treatment. It’s an invitation to get curious. When we slow down and interview the experiences behind the answers, we create space to understand the full picture - whether that includes ADHD, autism, complex trauma, dissociation, or something else entirely. Our job isn’t to label quickly. It’s to listen well enou
680 views4 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
In real-world practice, what we call PTSD often looks very different, it’s complex, layered, and frequently comes with dissociation. That’s why understanding the brain, nervous system, and dissociative patterns is essential for effective EMDR. Our basic training goes beyond the standard approach. You’ll leave with more than techniques, you’ll gain the confidence and clinical insight to truly see and support clients with complex trauma. This is science-backed, forward-thinking, and practical, des
1:12
In real-world practice, what we call PTSD often looks very different, it’s complex, layered, and frequently comes with dissociation. That’s why understanding the brain, nervous system, and dissociative patterns is essential for effective EMDR. Our basic training goes beyond the standard approach. You’ll leave with more than techniques, you’ll gain the confidence and clinical insight to truly see and support clients with complex trauma. This is science-backed, forward-thinking, and practical, des
371 views5 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
This is what unblending actually looks like in session. This is exactly what we will be teaching in our Small Intensive: Intro to Internal Family Systems (IFS) for Complex PTSD. Working with clients who have complex trauma or dissociation can bring up real challenges. Sometimes clients have little access to their own Self, parts are blended in ways that aren’t obvious, and it can be tricky to know how to work safely while fostering real connection. In this training, you’ll learn how to: * Identi
1:38
This is what unblending actually looks like in session. This is exactly what we will be teaching in our Small Intensive: Intro to Internal Family Systems (IFS) for Complex PTSD. Working with clients who have complex trauma or dissociation can bring up real challenges. Sometimes clients have little access to their own Self, parts are blended in ways that aren’t obvious, and it can be tricky to know how to work safely while fostering real connection. In this training, you’ll learn how to: * Identi
651 views4 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
I cannot even begin to describe how excited I am about WeMind! The updates are finally here, and it makes EMDR 2.0 not just usable but absolutely powerful. Today I worked with polarized parts, used two-handed interweaves, increased tasks when needed, and had the client repeat the hardest parts, and the results? Mind-blowing. This is the way trauma-informed care should be done, and I genuinely believe this is the platform that will take EMDR 2.0 to the next level. Seriously, I am saying this with
1:05
I cannot even begin to describe how excited I am about WeMind! The updates are finally here, and it makes EMDR 2.0 not just usable but absolutely powerful. Today I worked with polarized parts, used two-handed interweaves, increased tasks when needed, and had the client repeat the hardest parts, and the results? Mind-blowing. This is the way trauma-informed care should be done, and I genuinely believe this is the platform that will take EMDR 2.0 to the next level. Seriously, I am saying this with
510 views5 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
Just finished your EMDR basic training and wondering, “Now what?” This one-day workshop is exactly for you. Bridging the Gap: From EMDR Basic Training to Complex Trauma & Dissociation is designed to take everything you learned in basic training and connect it to the real work of treating complex PTSD. We’ll explore what dissociation really looks like in complex trauma and how to work with the parts that hold and protect it. You’ll get practical tools for understanding Polyvagal states, modificat
1:48
Just finished your EMDR basic training and wondering, “Now what?” This one-day workshop is exactly for you. Bridging the Gap: From EMDR Basic Training to Complex Trauma & Dissociation is designed to take everything you learned in basic training and connect it to the real work of treating complex PTSD. We’ll explore what dissociation really looks like in complex trauma and how to work with the parts that hold and protect it. You’ll get practical tools for understanding Polyvagal states, modificat
379 views5 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
Phase four of EMDR is where the real transformation happens, and the beauty is how adaptable it is to each client’s needs. From the original EMD that shifts visual memories to “little r” EMDR that gently guides reprocessing, these tools let us meet people exactly where they are. This flexibility means we can help someone stay grounded while still processing the memories that need attention. Having these options isn’t just convenient—it’s what makes EMDR so powerful and precise in helping people
1:20
Phase four of EMDR is where the real transformation happens, and the beauty is how adaptable it is to each client’s needs. From the original EMD that shifts visual memories to “little r” EMDR that gently guides reprocessing, these tools let us meet people exactly where they are. This flexibility means we can help someone stay grounded while still processing the memories that need attention. Having these options isn’t just convenient—it’s what makes EMDR so powerful and precise in helping people
477 views5 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
When EMDR suddenly gets stuck, it’s rarely about technique. What we’re seeing over and over in consultation is nervous systems doing exactly what they’re designed to do protect. Sympathetic avoidance and dorsal vagal shutdown are not the same thing, and if we don’t know which one we’re working with, we end up pushing when the system is actually asking for safety. This year we’re slowing down and learning how to recognize dorsal vagal parts in the moment, befriend the shutdown, and work with the
1:25
When EMDR suddenly gets stuck, it’s rarely about technique. What we’re seeing over and over in consultation is nervous systems doing exactly what they’re designed to do protect. Sympathetic avoidance and dorsal vagal shutdown are not the same thing, and if we don’t know which one we’re working with, we end up pushing when the system is actually asking for safety. This year we’re slowing down and learning how to recognize dorsal vagal parts in the moment, befriend the shutdown, and work with the
844 views5 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:26
Worry gets treated like the enemy, but most of the time it is trying to keep the system from collapsing 🧠 For many people with trauma histories, worrying is safer than going numb. It keeps energy moving and awareness online, even if it feels miserable. When we see worry as a protector instead of a problem, the work changes . We stop trying to shut it down and start helping the nervous system feel anchored in the present . #EMDR #TraumaInformed #PolyvagalTheory #PartsWork #NervousSystem | EMDR C
632 views6 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
2:07
Sometimes the body is saying things our words haven’t caught up to yet. That’s why the BASK Body Cards have become one of my favorite ways to help clients name what’s happening underneath the anxiety. It creates this bridge between that nonverbal experience and the part of them that can finally speak ✨ In the video I’m walking through how I use the BASC Body Worksheet alongside nonverbal parts interview questions inspired by Rachel Walker’s brilliant work. It gives clients language, clarity, and
2.1K views6 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:20
When dissociation is present, it’s a protective part stepping in to keep your client safe. Often it shows as dorsal vagal energy, lethargy, shutdown, the body preparing for danger. In those moments, the goal isn’t to push energy or try to “wake them up.” Think of it like being with someone at the end of life, you don’t need an agenda, you don’t need to advocate, you just hold space. Presence, compassion, and steady self-energy can be more healing than any technique. Trust grows in the quiet mome
4.1K views5 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:17
Every client walking into our office carries some form of trauma. As therapists, that means we need to understand trauma—how it affects the brain, the body, and the nervous system—so we can truly bring hope and healing. EMDR basic training gives you the foundation you need to work confidently with trauma. You won’t learn it all at once, but you’ll leave fired up with tools, understanding, and hope for your clients. ✨ Two ways to get trained: 💻 Virtual (Live Online) Part 1: March 13-15, 2026 Par
138 views5 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:16
The two-hand interweave is one of those interventions that seems so simple but completely changes the session. Robin Shapiro introduced it in Easy Ego States, and it’s become one of my favorites for working with polarized parts. You can literally have one part in each hand, add bilateral stimulation, and let the process unfold. The parts begin to communicate, and the prefrontal cortex comes online - that’s where the integration starts happening. It’s such a powerful way to move stuck material an
5K views7 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:27
There is something powerful that happens when you stop treating dissociation like a barrier and start relating to it like a part with wisdom, history, and purpose. When we can name the dorsal vagal shutdown, understand the physiology behind it, and then meet that part with warmth and curiosity, the work opens up in ways that feel almost limitless. This is the doorway. This is where the real healing starts to move. And honestly, this is where my passion keeps pulling me lately, because the moment
2.5K views7 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:06
Dissociation can feel mysterious until you realize your client is the expert sitting right in front of you. You don’t have to guess what out of body means or assume what derealization feels like. When you let your client guide you, dissociation stops being this abstract clinical idea and becomes something you can actually understand, track, and work with. Tools like the color coded DES aren’t just worksheets, they’re a doorway into your client’s world. When they hand it back to you, you’re holdi
3.4K views7 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:17
Working with dissociative parts starts with noticing them, whether it’s a shadow, a heaviness, or an energy you can’t quite name. Using BASC cards, we explore Behavior, Affect, Sensations, and Knowledge to see what each part is experiencing. This step helps us connect with the part and begin building self-energy so parts feel seen, heard, and understood. It’s the first step toward healing and helping the parts carry less of the weight they’ve been holding. #EMDRTherapy #PartsWork #DissociationHe
1.1K views8 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:16
People think I’m “too aggressive” about the MID. But honestly? I’m just passionate about giving therapists the best tool we have for understanding dissociation. The Multidimensional Inventory of Dissociation (MID) is brilliant. It tells you more about your client than your client even knows about themselves. And we are so lucky to have people like Michael Coy and Jennifer Madera behind the math, constantly refining and improving it. So yeah, I’ll keep saying it: use the MID!!!! Because if we wan
892 views7 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:27
Polyvagal theory has completely shifted the way I see myself and my clients. I used to think healing was all in the head, analyzing and figuring things out. Now I see our bodies are running the show. Most of our communication is body to brain and if we are not tuned in, we miss so much of what is really happening. For me, this is both humbling and exciting. I can see where I have been out of touch with my own body and how trauma keeps my clients disconnected as well. This is not just learning a
633 views7 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
0:59
Make 2026 the year you master Complex Trauma. Stop letting dissociation and parts work stall your EMDR reprocessing. | EMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1.2K views6 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:05
Teaching EMDR has been life-changing – not just for me, but for the hundreds of therapists I’ve had the privilege to train. There’s nothing inherently special about me – what’s special is the work itself, and being able to share tools that truly help therapists serve their clients better. EMDR isn’t just a therapy technique – it’s a trauma-informed education that equips you to understand and work with anyone, whether you use EMDR or not. I can’t wait to share this with you in an upcoming trainin
279 views7 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:12
This week I summarized the work my clients have been doing and the growth I saw was amazing. Healing comes from more than techniques; it’s about giving clients the language and tools to understand themselves, notice their parts, and build trust within. When we help them honor and listen to each part, supporting attachment repair through our relationship, they begin to step into their own higher self, compassionate, present, and loving toward themselves. This is where real transformation begins.
493 views7 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
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Short videos

1:24
A screening tool is only as helpful as the conversation that follows… the Dissociative
680 views4 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:12
In real-world practice, what we call PTSD often looks very different, it’s complex, layered,
371 views5 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:38
This is what unblending actually looks like in session. This is exactly what we will be
651 views4 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:05
I cannot even begin to describe how excited I am about WeMind! The updates are
510 views5 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:48
Just finished your EMDR basic training and wondering, “Now what?” This one-day workshop
379 views5 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:20
Phase four of EMDR is where the real transformation happens, and the beauty is
477 views5 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:25
When EMDR suddenly gets stuck, it’s rarely about technique. What we’re seeing
844 views5 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:26
Worry gets treated like the enemy, but most of the time it is trying to keep the system
632 views6 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
2:07
Sometimes the body is saying things our words haven’t caught up to yet. That’s why
2.1K views6 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:20
When dissociation is present, it’s a protective part stepping in to keep your client safe. Often
4.1K views5 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:17
Every client walking into our office carries some form of trauma. As therapists, that
138 views5 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:16
The two-hand interweave is one of those interventions that seems so simple but
5K views7 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:27
There is something powerful that happens when you stop treating dissociation like a
2.5K views7 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:06
Dissociation can feel mysterious until you realize your client is the expert sitting
3.4K views7 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:17
Working with dissociative parts starts with noticing them, whether it’s a shadow, a
1.1K views8 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:16
People think I’m “too aggressive” about the MID. But honestly? I’m just passionate
892 views7 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:27
Polyvagal theory has completely shifted the way I see myself and my clients. I
633 views7 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
0:59
Make 2026 the year you master Complex Trauma. Stop letting dissociation and parts work
1.2K views6 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:05
Teaching EMDR has been life-changing – not just for me, but for the hundreds of therapists
279 views7 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
1:12
This week I summarized the work my clients have been doing and the growth I saw
493 views7 months ago
FacebookEMDR Chicago Paula Merucci
Static thumbnail place holder