EMDRIA-Approved Training & Consultation Coaches
Vito Alberga, LCSW
Vito Alberga is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker working in the mental health field for over 28 years. He is an Advanced Certified Heart-Centered Hypnotherapist, a EMDRIA certified EMDR therapist and a Consultant in Training for EMDR Consulting. Vito has completed several advanced trainings using EMDR for treating dissociative states and complex PTSD. In addition, he has attended workshops that support EMDR evidenced based treatments. Vito has recently joined the EMDR Consulting Team in Chicago under the direction of Paula Merucci, LCSW and looks forward to supporting the team as Lead Technical Support for their virtual trainings. He has also taught as an Adjunct Professor at National-Louis University where he taught workshops on treating trauma and shock. Vito is the Founder and Director for The Center For New Pathways Integrative Wellness Center, a leading wellness center that offers acupuncture, chiropractic, energy work, massage services, as well as trauma informed psychotherapy. The Center is located in Schaumburg, Illinois. Vito has a full time private practice where he specializes in trauma informed therapies while working with adults, children, and adolescents. For more information about Vito, please visit thecenterfornewpathways.com
Rehna Becker, LCSW, CADC
Rehna Becker is an Illinois-Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). She is certified in Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting (BSP), and is currently training to become a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. Rehna is also an EMDR Consultant. Rehna currently spends her professional time treating individuals in her own private practice, Lotus Therapy, Inc (Lotus) located in St. Charles, IL. Lotus is also contracted by the outpatient substance abuse program, Lighthouse Recovery, Inc., to provide group and individual work with clients in their IOP as well as with clients who are currently incarcerated and are actively engaged in their substance addiction treatment program in the Kane County Jail. Rehna specializes in incident and complex trauma, attachment, and addictive/compulsive behaviors. Her scope of practice includes treating: PTSD and attachment/relational trauma, depression, anxiety, stress-related challenges, and addiction/compulsive behaviors. Depending on client needs, she uses a variety of treatment modalities including EMDR, BSP, SE, Attachment Theory, Internal Family Systems, Structural Dissociation, Ego State, and Polyvagal Theory. Through her extensive training, Rehna has developed a clear understanding that the brain is designed to heal and will do so if given guidance and a safe therapeutic space. Through her clinical work, Rehna has embraced a firm belief that all people, no matter what they have experienced or what they believe to be true about themselves, are capable of moving beyond their past in order to thrive in the present with genuine self-love and a renewed sense of joy in life. For more information on Rehna, please visit Mylotustherapy.com.
Erica Bench, LPC
Erica Bench is a Kansas City, Missouri based Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a National Certified Counselor, a member of the Kansas City Trauma Recovery Network (TRN), as well as an EMDRIA (EMDR International Association) Certified Therapist and a Consultant in Training for the cities of Chicago and Kansas City. She has a private practice in Kansas City near the University of Kansas City Missouri (UMKC) where she specializes in helping young adults (as well as adults of all ages) with trauma and stress related issues. She also co-leads the North KC EMDR Consultation and Study Group, and is a founding member of the North Kansas City Trauma Recovery Network. Erica utilizes a variety of EMDR, IFS and Ego Parts, Attachment Theory, Somatic Experiencing, and Cognitive Behavioral techniques. Prior to her 12 years in psychotherapy, Erica enjoyed a successful career working in the Television and Film Industry, creating on-air commercials and movie trailers. She now attempts to bring some of that creativity, innovation, and sense of humor into her counseling and training work when appropriate. Her style is laid back yet professional, and she is excited to share her enthusiasm for EMDR with other clinicians to help them become more confident in their EMDR skills. For more information about Erica, please visit ericabenchtherapy.com
Torrie Benson-Pryor, LCSW
Torrie Benson-Pryor is an Illinois-licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with expertise in trauma and dissociation using Ego State Therapy, Hypnosis and EMDR treatment. She is a member of ISSTD, and an EMDRIA (EMDR International Association) Certified Therapist and Consultant working as a coach for the Chicago north and west suburbs with the Roy Kiessling EMDR Consulting Group. She has had her own business, Secure Alliance Counseling and Consultation, in Woodstock since 2016. In her private practice, Torrie is passionate about treating clients using EMDR along with other therapy strategies with individuals and families dealing with grief/loss, trauma, anger management, depression, panic disorders, PTSD/Complex PTSD, Intimacy Issues, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Personality Disorders and Dissociative Disorders. Torrie's therapeutic approach is eclectic, psychodynamic, and client-focused, utilizing evidence-based therapies. She has been trained in EMDR, Hypnosis, Ego State Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Structural Dissociation to treat simple and complex traumas and regularly consults to keep up to date with the most current advancements. She is enthusiastic about consulting clinicians in EMDR to help them excel and feel more confident in their EMDR skills. She works closely with first responders, military, medical professionals, and others dealing with complex trauma or dissociative disorders. For more information about Torrie, please visit her website.
Eric Bruemmer, MS, LPC
Eric Bruemmer MS, is a licensed professional counselor and a certified EMDR Therapist, National Certified Counselor, and Consultant in Training. He enjoys providing EMDR Basic Training and Consultation and EMDR Certified Consultation to consultees in North America and Brazil. Eric came to his love of "all things brain" through his initial career and graduate work as a software systems engineer, initially counseling with science graduate students at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He transition to Oregon in 2019. Eric received his Masters of Science (MS) from National-Louis University. He has recently joined the EMDR Consulting Team in Chicago under the direction of Paula P. Merucci LCSW, CADC, EMDR LCSW and looks forward to supporting the team as Lead Technical Support for their virtual trainings. He has done extensive training before making EMDR his primary modality including Neurofeedback, Psychodynamic Therapy including Psychodrama Group therapy, Family Systems Therapy, and brain injury including neurodevelopment and epilepsy. Though he works generally with clients, he specializes currently in working with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury, gifted students and adults, somatic processing, and working with men. He runs Drawbridges EMDR full time outside of Portland, OR. For more information about Eric, please visit his website.
Laura McKeon, LCSW
Laura Laura McKeon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) and EMDRIA Approved Consultant based in Colorado. Laura has experience working with individuals and groups across outpatient, inpatient, and crisis settings and provides trauma-informed help to a variety of clients, supporting individuals in recovering from dissociative disorders, grief/loss, depression, anxiety, panic, phobias, addictions, mood and dissociative disorders.
Laura utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches including EMDR, internal family systems and ego-state therapy, motivational interviewing, dialectical behavioral therapy, and emotion focused therapy, all within a trauma-informed framework of care. Laura earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Arizona and a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Fort Lewis College. For more information about Laura, please visit www.springcreekemdr.com.
Alicia Rowley, LMHC
Alicia Rowley is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) now serving clients and consultees in Illinois and Iowa. Alicia was first trained in EMDR in 2016 and continued her path to becoming an EMDRIA Certified Counselor and an EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Alicia’s therapy path began in outpatient and residential substance abuse treatment facilities as a CADC counselor in 2010. She furthered her clinical path to obtain her MS at Drake University in Des Moines, IA. Alicia is now a private practice clinician where she specializes in serving individuals impacted by addiction, adult children of alcoholic families, attachment-based trauma, and a variety of trauma-related disorders. She has specific EMDR training related to addiction EMDR protocols, somatic disorders, toxic shame, Jim Knipe’s EMDR Toolbox, Ego State therapy, and dissociation. Alicia has a passion for the clinical work she does with clients as well as individual and group EMDR consultation. Her hope is to support therapists in finding their own rhythm with EMDR skills. To connect with Alicia Rowley, email her directly at alicia@aliciarowleycounseling.com.
Lisa Stear, LCSW
Lisa A. Stear, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and a certified EMDR therapist. She works in a private practice at Glenwood Center in the Rockford, Illinois area where they specialize in providing Better Mental Health. Lisa works with children and adults and specialize in complex PTSD as well as the full array of children’s mental health diagnosis and their accompanying behavior problems. She especially enjoys helping families build more effective skills for resolving ineffective communication. Lisa been using EMDR since 2015 growing in her skills and confidence each year. As part of the EDMR Chicago team she works as the Virtual Training Coordinator. Lisa’s goal as your EMDR consultant is to help new EMDR therapists pull all the pieces of training together to become comfortable and confident in their ability to successfully integrate EMDR into their existing practice. Most people enjoy the gentle yet effective approach to consultation where consultees can comfortably move forward with their EMDR skills. For more information about Lisa, please visit glenwoodcenter.com
Krista Kastler, LCSW
Krista Kastler is a Clinical Social Worker, licensed in Kansas and Missouri who is a Certified EMDR Therapist, Certified Parent Child Interaction Therapy provider, and a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. She specializes in working with children ages 2-7 and their caregivers to strengthen relationships and increase a felt sense of safety. Currently, Krista manages the Counseling Program at The Children’s Place, a nonprofit agency in Kansas City that serves this specialized population. She also has a private practice where she works with people of all ages to address symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other issues related to stressful or even traumatic experiences. She has been an EMDR Consultant for the past 4 years and enjoys teaching clinicians creative ways to integrate EMDR into their practice. For more information about Krista, please visit kccenterpoint.com/post/krista-kastler-lcsw-sep
Latasha Gary, LCMHC
Latasha Gary is a North Carolina-Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) . She is certified in Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and Brainspotting (BSP). She is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) through Behavioral Tech and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). She is training to become an Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapist. Latasha is also an EMDR Consultant in Training and has recently joined the team as a coach for EMDR Chicago under Paula Merucci. She also functions as a Guide for IFS Informed EMDR with the Syzygy Institute. Latasha has completed several advanced trainings using EMDR for treating dissociative states, BPD, chronic pain, OCD, major depressive disorder, and complex PTSD. She incorporates IFS with EMDR. In her private practice, Anchored Hope Counseling & Consulting, she treats adolescents, teens, and adults. Additionally, she spends time with several non-profits and ministries counseling marginalized communities including sex trafficking survivors. Her specialized training allows her to focus on single incident and complex trauma, sexual abuse, borderline personality disorder, insomnia, and OCD/compulsive behaviors. Her EMDR consultation provides guidance on treating: PTSD and complex trauma, depression, borderline personality disorder, dissociation, and OCD. Through her training and experience, she is able to provide consultation integrating a variety of treatment modalities with EMDR including DBT, Brainspotting, Exposure Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Structural Dissociation, Ego State, and Polyvagal Theory. To schedule consultation with Latasha, please visit her sign up page.
Alisha Saucedo, LSCSW, CST, SEP, RPT-S
Alisha Saucedo is a Kansas Licensed Clinical Social Worker, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, APT Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and EMDR Certified Therapist. She specializes in working with individuals and couples with trauma, depression, anxiety, and relationship concerns including but not limited to sexual dysfunction, infidelity, and nonmonogamy. Alisha is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant in Training. She has a history working with nonprofits, private practice, acute psychiatric facilities, and in educational settings, as well as providing consultation and supervision to those seeking credentialing or licensure. Alisha enjoys incorporating EMDR with Somatic Experiencing and expressive approaches. To find out more about Alisha please visit, www.risewithalisha.com
Sarah Williams, PsyD.
Sarah Nani Williams, PsyD, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S), an Approved EMDR Consultant, & a Certified EMDR Therapist. She enjoys providing EMDR Basic Training Consultation and EMDR Certified Consultation to consultees located all around the world. Dr. Sarah is highly skilled at using EMDR across the lifespan. She has extensive experience utilizing EMDR to treat children, dissociation, & first responders/military. She integrates Hawaiian cultural components and the spirit of aloha into her work. Dr. Sarah received her Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago and has successfully worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families since 1995. She is certified in Child and Adolescent Gestalt Play Therapy. Dr. Sarah has presented numerous times throughout the United States and Canada at various schools and conferences. Some of the topics she has presented on include anxiety, depression, embodied presence, learning disabilities, and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults and children. For more information about Dr. Sarah, please visit her website.
Gabrielle Greif
Gabrielle Greif is the Social Media Manager and Virtual Assistant for EMDR Chicago. She also currently runs her own online business. She is a content creator and Certified Soul Purpose + Confidence Coach, guiding women who are looking to find heart centered careers.
At EMDR Chicago Gabby manages social media and performs other administrative responsibilities as well. Her skills include, social media, graphic design, video editing, website development and design, and administrative and tech duties. For more information about Gabby please visit www.gabbygreif.com
Andy Gail, MBA
Andy Gail is the Business strategy and Marketing Lead for EMDR Chicago through Gail Consulting Group. At Gail Consulting Group we are committed to assisting you and your business through our comprehensive range of services. Led by Andy Gail and his team, we specialize in delivering tailored solutions that cater to your specific needs. With Andy's vast experience in Corporate America, Nonprofits, and the events industry, we offer a unique perspective and possess the ability to enhance your business's value while alleviating the burden from leaders and owners. Whether it's expert marketing and graphic design, seamless event planning and execution, or top-notch concierge services, Gail Consulting Group goes the extra mile to ensure the success of your business. For more inofrmation about Andy and his offering please visit www.gailconsultinggroup.com
Roxanna Carcamo, LCSW
Roxanna A. Carcamo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensed and working in the states of New York and Connecticut. She is an EMDR certified clinician and a consultant in training. She is trauma-informed and deeply committed to offering compassionate and effective mental health support. She has completed several advanced trainings using EMDR for treatment of complex trauma and dissociation. She is also a certified cognitive behavior therapist. She works in community mental health and, in an intensive outpatient program. She is understanding and respects the profound impact of trauma on an individual's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. As a bilingual clinician fluent in English and Spanish, she bridges language barriers, providing a space where clients feel truly heard, understood, and respected in their language and cultural context. She is committed to professional development, and she continues to engage in advanced training, consultations, and continuing education to enhance her skills and stay current with the latest research and advancements in EMDR therapy. She is looking forward to becoming an EMDR basic trainer.
