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Welcome to the Phoenix Rising Wellness blog—a space dedicated to growth, understanding, and healing. Here, you’ll find insights and resources to help you navigate life’s challenges, whether you’re managing anxiety, exploring your identity, or learning to thrive with ADHD. You’ll also discover guidance for mental health professionals seeking support through licensure supervision or EMDR consultation. My hope is that each post helps you feel seen, supported, and inspired to rise into the life you deserve.

Spiral notebook with EMDR written at the top and lines of blurred writing below. Blue-green pen resting across the notebook

EMDR Certification: Why Basic Training is the Foundation but Consultation is Crucial to Mastering EMDR

You've Finished Basic Training. Now What? So, you've completed EMDR Basic Training. Congratulations! You're officially "fully trained." But if we're being real... Can you confidently explain the difference between a Floatback and an Affect Bridge without looking it up? Do you know exactly how to organize targets for a client with developmental trauma, dissociation, or a history that looks more like a tangled ball of Christmas lights than a neat timeline? Have you ever found y

Carolyn Morris, LCSW

Jun 254 min read

What I Wish Clients Knew Before Starting EMDR

There are a handful of things clients almost always find out after starting EMDR—and honestly, it would save everyone a lot of stress if we just said them upfront.

Carolyn Morris, LCSW

Jun 82 min read

Woman writing in a notebook with "I KNOW BETTER" and checklist; contrasts with a grayscale figure tangled in lines, text reads "STILL REACTING."

Clinician's Corner: When Should You Refer a Client for EMDR (And When Should You Not?)

Determining whether EMDR therapy is a good fit is vital to the success of your clients. Read on to see what factors you should be considering before making a referral.

Carolyn Morris, LCSW

May 252 min read

Eye-level view of a calm therapy room with soft lighting and comfortable seating

Unlocking Healing: How EMDR Consultation Enhances Therapy for Complex Trauma and Neurodivergence

This post explores how expert consultation supports therapists in delivering more effective EMDR therapy, ultimately unlocking deeper healing for clients.

Carolyn Morris, LCSW

Mar 163 min read

Therapist sitting outside taking notes in a notebook

Practical Tips to Maximize Your EMDR Consultation

To get the most from your ongoing learning and consultation, consider these strategies: Set clear goals Identify specific skills or areas you want to improve. Share these goals with your consultant to focus sessions effectively.

Carolyn Morris, LCSW

Feb 162 min read

Therapist’s workspace with EMDR training materials and notes

Continuing Consultation after EMDR Training is Essential for Your Success

Starting your journey as an EMDR therapist is exciting....and overwhelming. You complete your EMDR Basic Training and feel excited to help clients transform their lives. Yet, many emerging therapists find themselves stuck, unsure how to apply their new skills confidently. Without ongoing support, it’s easy to get confused, feel lost in the steps, forget techniques, or hesitate to use EMDR in therapy sessions. Continuing EMDR consultation and education are crucial steps to avo

Carolyn Morris, LCSW

Jan 194 min read

Brown haired person in a dark blue suit in front of a teal background, hands on head with a question mark above

WTF is a “happy place” and why are you telling me to go there?

When I was in graduate school, I made a promise to myself. I was learning so many different approaches to therapy and I noticed something: many of my peers were taking on this persona of someone almost mystically serene. As I was reflecting on this with a friend, I made a promise. In retrospect, it was really a promise to be authentic. But what I actually said was: “I will never say something to a client that I cannot say with a straight face."

Carolyn Morris, LCSW

Jan 62 min read

Female cartoon from shoulders up embarrassed with an empty speech bubble

EMDR Therapy: But What if I Don't Want to Talk About It??

Talking about your trauma is hard. It can feel embarrassing, overwhelming, or even shameful. So how does anyone begin to heal if they don’t want to talk about it? Honestly, many people don’t — at least not right away. And that’s okay. But here’s the good news: there is a way forward.

Carolyn Morris, LCSW

Dec 23, 20252 min read

EMDR Reprocessing: The Jenga Tower of Trauma

Knowing where to start with reprocessing past trauma is challenging. With this metaphor it becomes much easier to see how all the different experiences fit together, and more importantly, come apart.

Carolyn Morris, LCSW

Nov 24, 20252 min read

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