Francine Shapiro believed that EMDR therapy could resolve traumatic memories and reduce and prevent the transfer of trauma from one generation to the next, and in doing so, building trust between people and nations, helping to create the conditions for lasting peace. This is what EMDR therapists are doing every day, directly or indirectly, all over the world. This is the mission of the EMDR Global Alliance: The International Society for EMDR Therapy
In 2011, the EMDR Global Alliance began as a consortium of the leaders of EMDR Regional Associations worldwide. The composition of the group included elected representatives from each Regional Association, some observers and two facilitators. It grew out of the need for the initial regional associations representing Asia, Europe, South and Central America and the United States to discuss matters impacting the entire international EMDR Community, to develop minimum standards for training, and to offer guidelines for developing EMDR associations world-wide cooperatively.
In 2024, the EGA is changing and evolving into the EMDR Global Alliance: The International Society for EMDR Therapy. The change is occurring to include more of the EMDR global community. Although the regional associations are still our primary members, we are growing to include Associate Members and Affiliates whot will give voice and contributions to the growing EMDR-related needs in different sectors such as research, humanitarian interventions, and the development of EMDR therapy in special situations and populations.
The mission of the EGA is the following:
- To provide support for developing EMDR Regional, National, and Special Administrative Region Associations in order to increase the number of stakeholders committed to the advancement of EMDR therapy; and
- To cooperate in the development of best training practices and standards in order to promote and facilitate the growth of EMDR therapy world-wide; and
- To share resources to facilitate the development, acceptance, and utilization of EMDR therapy in our various global communities.
- To provide an international forum for the communication, discussion and decisions relevant to the research, the teaching, the practice and the development of EMDR therapy, and the adherence to the guidelines concerning these domains.
