Brendan McDonough, Only Survivor of Deadly Arizona Fire, to Speak at EMDR International Association Conference in Philadelphia

    PHILADELPHIA, PA, August 26, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- For those suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), the annual conference of the EMDR International Association, August 27-30, 2015, at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel will be closely watched. Why? EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is one of only two therapies recognized by the World Health Organization for the treatment of PTSD in adults, adolescents and children.

More than 1000 clinicians from 22 countries will attend the organization's 20th Anniversary Conference themed "The Freedom to Heal". In recognition of the Conference, Michael A. Nutter, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, has proclaimed August 27th through August 30th to be EMDR Week in Philadelphia.

While PTSD is now widely known both inside and outside the medical community, the unique qualities of EMDR and its success as a psychotherapy treatment are not as well-known to the lay community. But to those who have benefitted from it, such as Brendan McDonough, it is lauded as a lifesaver. McDonough, is the sole survivor of the Granite Mountain Hotshots in Prescott, Arizona, in which 19 courageous brothers were killed fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire. McDonough will address the Conference attendees at the Awards & Recognition Dinner on Saturday, August 29th starting at 7:00 PM in the Liberty Ballroom of the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel. In addition, Philadelphia-based experts, as well as EMDR patients, will be available for interviews before and during the Conference.

A Wildland Firefighter from 2011, until tragic events unfolded in 2013, McDonough's job was to save lives, to protect property, and to preserve the forest, fighting some of the most historical and devastating fires our country has seen. His world changed June 30, 2013 when he emerged as the only survivor among the 20 members of the crew from the devastating Arizona fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association it was the greatest loss of life for firefighters in a wildfire since 1933, the deadliest wildfire of any kind since 1991, and the greatest loss of firefighters in the United States since the September 11th attacks. EMDR therapy was used to treat Brendan, helping him back to a normal healthy life, and he'll be thanking EMDR therapists for what they do in giving back people's lives as well as reaffirming the power of EMDR as an evidence-based psychotherapy.

Successful outcomes are also well-documented for treatment of other psychiatric disorders, mental health problems and somatic symptoms. The eight phase, three-pronged process of EMDR facilitates the resumption of normal information processing and integration, through a treatment approach which targets past experience, current triggers, and future potential challenges resulting in the alleviation of presenting symptoms, a decrease or elimination of distress from the disturbing memory, improved view of the self, relief from bodily disturbance, and resolution of present and future anticipated triggers.

Mark G. Doherty, Executive Director of the EMDR International Association, "EMDR is an efficacious evidence-based psychotherapy that has demonstrated its capacity to treat big T and little t traumas. EMDR therapy gives people back their lives and gives them the capacity to deal with their traumas."

In addition to McDonough, there will be three notable plenary speakers: Rachel Yehuda, Ph.D. will address attendees on epigenetics and trauma on Friday morning; Ruth Lanius, M.D., Ph.D. of Canada will speak Saturday morning about healing the traumatized self (consciousness, neuroscience, and treatment); and Marco Pagani, M.D., Ph.D. of Italy will discuss imaging EMDR related neurobiological changes. These talks will be complemented by 34 other educational sessions. Preceding the Conference on Thursday, special day-long workshops will take place. Ad de Jongh, Ph.D. of the Netherlands will present on the treatment of fears and other anxiety-related conditions with EMDR therapy, and Jim Knipe, Ph.D. and Carol Forgash, Ph.D. lecture on EMDR treatment of complex trauma.

For more information or to schedule interviews with any of the speakers, conference organizers, or locally-based participants/EMDR patients, please contact Mark Doherty at 703-304-0054 or [email protected] or contact Nina Zucker at 610-457-3287 or [email protected].

The EMDR International Association is a professional membership association of more than 6,000 mental health professionals dedicated to the highest standards of excellence and integrity in EMDR therapy assuring quality of care and client safety.

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