Project 4

A water pump worth of Rs 1,02000/- was given to a resident of Mahakumbukgollawa, Punewa, to cultivate his 4 acre land. He was selected by the Divisional Secretariat of Madawachchiya as a deserving person. He would cultivate rice, Cowpea, Kurakkan etc and vegetables which will benefit a great number of people. With a food crisis looming ahead dangerously over this land we felt that this is a worthy contribution we can make.

Project 3

EMDR Association also distributed Gardening tools (Mamoties, Crowbars, Axes, Spades and Machetes) amounting to Rs.90,000/= to 28 families selected from the Ratnapura and its suburbs, to promote Home-Gardening.

In addition, a 16 Liter Spray Machine for Rs 12,800/ was donated to a single Mother with 2 children in Dambulla for paddy cultivation in 1 Acre land owned by her. (July 2022)

Project 2

Mahiyangana in Uva Province

15 families from Mapakada, Girandurukotte, Arawatte and Hasalaka which are around Mahiyangana were given dry rations. The hampers included rice, Sugar, flour, dhal, noodles, tea, Coconuts, Nestomalt and spices etc. ( June 2022)

FMM Sisters from Mahiyangana convent supported us in distributing the hampers.

Charity Projects

Considering the severity of the economic crisis that has come upon Sri Lanka, EMDR Association of Sri Lanka took urgent steps to initiate several programmes in remote areas of the country, to help the needy people to survive the crisis.

Following are the programmes done so far:

Project 1

Minneriya in North central Province

30 families struggling to get their basic daily necessities were helped with dry rations. They were selected from the villages of Ambagaswewa, Bendiwewa, Kottapitiya, NiKapitiya, Medirigiriya, and Giritale which are at the outskirts of Minneriya.

F.M.M Sisters of MInneriya Convent helped us in carrying out this work.

EMDR Level 1 Training

EMDR basic training, Level, 1 took place on the weekends of 22nd -23rd and 29th -30th of July, 2022 on Zoom. There were 16 participants mainly from India. The international training team included Ms Indira Weerasinghe and Sr Janet Nethisinghe from Sri Lanka.

EMDR Level 1 Training

EMDR Level 1 basic training took place virtually via Zoom, during the weekends of 19th -20th and 25th -26th March 2022. 29 participants mostly from India followed the programme. As usual Dr Sushma Mehrotra led the training team which included trainers, consultants, facilitators and observers coming from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

EMDR training 2022

Training for EMDR Therapy Level 2, took place virtually during the two weekends of 15th and 16th and 22nd and 23rd of January 2022. There were 22 participants from other countries and 6 from Sri Lanka.

The training was led by Drs Sushma Mehrotra, Dusyant Bhadlikar, Parul Tank, and a host of consultants and Facilitators.

Participants from Sri Lanka

Participants from Other Countries

9^th Annual General Meeting

9th Annual General meeting of the Sri Lanka EMDR Association was held virtually on the 9th of October 2021, at 4:00pm through Zoom. There were 21 members present. The President Ms Indira Weerasinghe presided at the meeting.

One important objective achieved during this meeting was the amendment of the Constitution of the Association, which was a felt need for several years.

Due to the prevailing Covid pandemic, activities of the Association was limited to virtual meetings. Few Important activities carried out by the Association during the past year were the following:

• EMDR training programmes: From the 25th to 30th April 2021 Level 1 training programme was successfully completed virtually with 18 participants.
• Level 2 – Virtual training program is scheduled for later this year.
• The EMDR Basic Training (Level 1) Manual was translated to Sinhala language and virtual training sessions were conducted via zoom. This session was done to benefit all the trained members who predominantly work in the Sinhala medium

The new Office bearers were elected for the year 2021 to 2022
President - Ms. Navindra Fernando
Vice President - Ms. Jeevani Seneviratne
Secretary - Ms. Jananee Chandramohan
Treasurer - Mr. Naveneth Mendis

Committee members
Dr. Chamari Palika
Mr. Neville Thilakaratne
Ms. Sutharshini Ramesh
Ms. Usha Mohan
Ms. Indira Weerasinghe

Virtual training from 25th to 30th of April, 2021

Our annual EMDR training programmes were held back from 2020, due to Covid 19. As the situation is not yet promising and going by the current trend of having all Sessions on line, we also decided to try out the EMDR training on line. Thus, with the collaboration of EMDR Asia and Trauma Recovery /Hap, we launched out the first Virtual training from 25th to 30th of April, 2021. We had 11 participants from Sri Lanka, 6 participants from Maldives, and 1 participant from Indonesia. As usual Dr Sushma Mehrotra was our chief trainer. She had an efficient international team of trainers and facilitators. The team included Dr Parul Tank, Dr. Dushyant Bhadlikar, and Mr. Chintan Naik from India, Dr.Mahajabeen Haque, and Dr. Shaheen Islam from Bangladesh and, Sr Janet Nethisinghe and Ms Indira Weerasinghe. from Sri Lanka. It was a very successful Training and created a lot of hope for future training, if the pandemic situation continues to hamper our physical gatherings.

Trainers and Facilitators

Participants

8^th Annual General meeting of Sri Lanka EMDR Association

The 8th Annual General meeting of Sri Lanka EMDR Association was held on the 5th of September 2020, at St Anthony’s Convent, Colombo 08.The President Ms Indira Weerasinghe presided at the meeting. Though many members excused themselves due to other engagements, it was held successfully with the members present. At the end of the meeting Ms Seema Omar shared how creative therapies could be used in EMDR therapy

4^th EMDR Asia Association International Conference

EMDR Asia Association held its 4th international conference in Bangkok, Thailand from 3rd to 5th January 2020.There were about 175 participants from most of the Asian countries.The venue was Chulalongkorn Hospital,There were 4 participants from Sri Lanka.

Training of community workers in Thangalla

Training of community workers in Thangalla around villages around. It was held 6th and 17th of December 2019. There were 25 participants.

6th Level 2 Training

6th Level 2 training took place in No 114, Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research Institute, Colombo 7, from 2nd to 5th November 2019. Dr Sushma Mehrotra and Dr Parul Tank conducted the Training for 16 participants.

Workshop Minneriya (2019)

4th -6th of October 2019, Minneriya: Workshop on " Mental health awareness and Communication skills"

Work at the village of Katuwapitiya

Work at the village of Katuwapitiya, Sri Lanka where one of the bomb blasts triggered by an ISIS terrorist took place on Easter Sunday.(21.4.2019)

At the request of the school principal, a team of EMDR practitioners visited Ave Maria convent, Bolawalana, to conduct EMDR sessions using Group protocol. This school was seriously affected by the bomb explosion in the Church, as 9 of the school children died in the blast.

The work will continue as long as it is necessary.

Workshop Bopitiya (2019)

The 3rd workshop to train “Barefoot counselors” in Bopitiya . in January 2019

Skype meeting with Dr.Sushma (28/04/2019)

Skype meeting with Dr.Sushma on 28th April, 2019 . After the tragic bomb blasts in the city of Colombo on the 21st of April , the EMDR therapists had a Skype meeting with Dr Sushma in order to prepare to deal with those affected.

Barefoot Counsellors center opening

After the training of “barefoot counsellors” at Bopitiya, a center was opened on the 12th May 2019, so that people in the area who need a listening ear can come to share their stories.

7th EMDR Level 1 Training (2019)

The 7th EMDR Level 1 training was held from the 6th- 9th June 2019, in Colombo, with 18 participants. It was conducted successfully by Dr Sushma Mehrotra and Dr.Parul Tank from Mumbai, India.

Workshop Hambantota (2018)

We felt that a great need existing in our country is the lack of mental health workers in the remotest areas of our country. They have no one to go to in case of psychological problems. So, a decision was made to train community workers as “barefoot counsellors” where they can be trained in basic counselling skills. We had our first programme from 19th to 21st April 2018, in Hambanthota where we gathered a group of 15 young women who are already working with children and parents, to be trained. They were from the areas of Lunugamvehera, Ambilipitiya and Hambanthota. The feedback from the participants was very positive and we were more motivated than ever to continue this work in the future. May be at a later stage they could learn EMDR to help people who need it.

6th EMDR Level 1 Training (2018)

The 6th EMDR Level 1 training was held from the 19th -22nd May, 2018 in Colombo, with 22 participants. It was conducted successfully by by Dr Sushma Mehrotra and Dr.Parul Tank from India.

2nd Module of Barefoot counsellor training (2018)

2nd Module of Barefoot counsellor training in Hambanthota from 4th-5th June 2018.

Two day workshop to train community leaders on Listening skills

Two day workshop was conducted on the 24th and 25th October to train community leaders on Listening skills in Bopitiya, Pamunugama.

Workshop at Lunugamvehera

Module 3 of the training programme to train community leaders in Hambanthota, lunugamvehera, Ambilipitiya and Thanamalwila was conducted on the 30th and 31st of October 2018 at Lunugamvehera. Ms Seema Omar and Sr Janet Nethisinghe facilitated the programm

5^th Level 2 training

The 5^th Level 2 training took place from 3rd to the 6th of November 2018 at Samutthana , 419 Nawala Road, Nawala facilitated by Drs Sushma and Parul Tank. There were 13 participants.

3rd EMDR Asia Conference - Shanghai, China

The 3rd EMDR Asia Conference was held in Shanghai, China from the 21st to 23rd April 2017.Sr Janet,the President of EMDR Sri Lanka and Ms Indira Weerasinghe attended the Conference.The Pre- Conference and the Conference were very enriching as various therapists shared their research experiences on various mental health conditions. There were participants from 20 countries in addition to experts from Europe and the United States. The Theme of the Conference was "Treating Trauma through EMDR for Peace". There was also a consultants training after the Conference which both our participants attended.

Parts of Sri Lanka experienced a devastating flood about two months ago and many people were affected. Many died and many lost everything they had. Children were affected very much. In addition to losing their material possessions they also lost their class mates,schools and school books etc. A few of the members of Sri Laka EMDR Association took the initiative to go to some of these affected children. With the cooperation of one school they gathered about 30 school children who were affected much and worked with them using group protocol. It was conducted on the 16th of July 2017 at the Subodhi Integral Education Center, Piliyandala. Sr Janet's students at Aquinas College of Higher Studies who came to observe and also contributed by conducting activities that the children highly enjoyed.

It is our wish that we go to other schools to continue our work in the coming months.

Level 1 Training 2016

The 5th Level 1 training was conducted by Dr.Sushma Mehrotra and Dr. Parul Tank from the 21st to 23rd October.There were 20 participants.

Level 2 Training 2016

The 4th, Level 2 training once again conducted by Drs Sushma Mehrotra and Parul Tank 23rd to 25th October ,2016.

Activities

Sri Lanka EMDR Association conducted a counsellor training workshop for psycho-social workers, from the 11th to the 13th of May 2016, at Sudharshana Meditation Center, Yatiyana , Minuwangoda. 25 enthusiastic participants came from Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mannar districts.The workshop was facilitated by Sr.Janet Nethisinghe, Ms Indira Weerasinghe and Ms Rekha Aththidiye and financial support was extended by Mr.Chrishan Thuraisingham from U.S.A.

Workshop 11

Workshop on Counselling and skill building , Kilinochchi from 12th-14th, July 2016.

EMDR Level 01 (2015)

The fourth Level 1 training programme took place from the 18th to the 21st May with 9 participants.

EMDR Level 02 (2015)

The third Level 2 training took place from the 21st- 24th May, with 6 participants. Our very devoted trainers, Prof Sushma and Dr.Parul were once again at hand to train both the groups.

First conference of EMDR Association India.

The first conference of EMDR Association India took place from the 27th February to 1st March 2015, in Hans Hotel, New Delhi. Its theme was “Integrating EMDR for Diversity”. EMDR therapists from Asia and other parts of the world attended this momentous conference and shared very valuable research information with the participants.Two members from the Sri Lanka EMDR Association also participated in the conference on invitation by the Indian colleagues.

The main attraction was the pre-conference workshop conducted by Richard A.Chefetz, MD who is a psychiatrist with many involvements in the clinical field and Kathryn J,Chefetz ,an experienced psychotherapist on “Understanding and working with dissociative disorders”. Their contribution to the Conference was very valuable. This was followed by the presentation of various papers by EMDR therapists highlighting their experiences in applying EMDR to various clinical situations.

Second EMDR Asia International Conference

The second EMDR Asia International conference took place in Manila, Philippines from the 9th – 11th January 2014 in Dusit Thani Hotel. The theme was, “Activating resources through collaboration”. Once again, EMDR therapists from many countries beside Asia came together to share their research findings and experiences.

Prior to the Conference there was a three day basic training in EMDR which also became an opportunity for new comers to learn EMDR. A Consultants training workshop also took place at the end of the Conference.

EMDR Level 01 (2014)

The second Level 1 EMDR Training took place from the 8th to the 11th May at No. 8 Kynsey road, Colombo 8. The trainers were Prof Sushma Mehrotra and Dr Parul Tank. There was a group of 14 participants which included trained Counsellors and practicing Psychologists.

EMDR Level 01 (2014-November)

EMDR Level 02 (2014-November)

Tsunami (2004) Humanitarian Assistance programme U.S.A

EMDR training in 2005 after the devastating Tsunami (2004).which killed thousands of Sri lankan people..A team from Humanitarian Assistance programme U.S.A led by Dr.Nancy Errebo trained the first EMDR therapists.

International Conferences

First Asian EMDR Conference and the establishment of the EMDR Asia Association

Thus from the 9th -11th July, 2010, first EMDR conference was held with participants from all over the world. Many EMDR colleagues from developed countries were there to support and share their experiences in EMDR. The theme of the Conference was, “Building bridges between East and West through EMDR”. The theme chosen was very fitting as Asia still depends much on the expertise of EMDR therapists from the developed countries. An important person who attended the conference was Francine Shapiro, the person who introduced EMDR to the world. She was there in person to support and encourage the Asian therapists.

Besides the conference and the workshops organized, it was also the occasion to launch out EMDR Asia Association. The countries that represented the Association were, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Korea, Japan, Singapore, China, Australia, Hong Kong, Israel and Sri Lanka. One member from each country became part of the Board of EMDR Asia Association. Most of these countries have their own National EMDR Associations. The Board members were elected at the inaugural meeting. Dr Sushma Mehrotra was elected the President of the Association and under her able guidance the Association is forging ahead successfully towards the future.

Training Programs

EMDR Level 01 (2012)

The first Level I Training was held from the 2nd to 5th July, 2012, venue being Nagarodhaya Hall, Baseline Road, Colombo 8. Trainers were Professors Sushma Mehrotra and Dr.Parul Tank of India, both being Trainers approved by the EMDR International Association. Lectures and Practicals took place from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm, with a break for Lunch, and two short breaks for tea, morning and afternoon. There were 25 Participants, 20 being new trainees, and 5 doing a revision course, (having trained to practiceEMDR in 2005).

Refresher Course (2012)

Since this was the first time that an EMDR training has taken place after the training in 2005, an opportunity was offered to those who were trained then, to refresh and hone their skills. Thus on the 6th of July, a day’s programme was conducted for 12 Counsellors to update their EMDR skills.

EMDR training

As our greatest need at the time was to train new clinicians in EMDR, the Association was able to plan the first Level 1 training, with trainees hand-picked by the President along with the trainers on their educational, and / counseling credentials. As there were no funds available to cover the expenses of the Training Program, an appeal was made to Dr. Carol Martin of the Humanitarian Assistance Program, who along with the International Relief Team, came to our aid and made available some funds for the said purpose.

EMDR Level 02 (2013)

In 2013, Level 2 was held from the 11th -13th October 2013, at No. 8 Kynsey road, Colombo 8, the Trainers being Prof. Sushma Mehrotra and Dr. Rosalie Thomas of EMDRIA, from Canada. Only those who had completed the mandatory Case Studies on schedule, in addition to those undertaking study for the purpose of updating, were permitted to participate. The result was that there were only 9 new members to follow Level 11. We were able to reduce the expenses for this programme and charge less from the participants as a very dear benefactor hosted the two trainers and allowed the Course to be conducted in her residence. In fact she continues to support us with the same generosity regarding all the training workshops. We are very grateful to her and her family for tolerating us whenever there are training programmes going on at her residence.