It is with sadness that we mourn the loss of Francine Shapiro, PhD. this week. Francine is the originator and developer of EMDR therapy, and the inspiration for all of our work. She was also the Executive Director of the EMDR Institute and the Founder and President Emeritus of Trauma Recovery, EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs. She will be greatly missed.
Francine was a visionary. She had a vision to bring hope and healing to those suffering from the effects of emotional trauma through EMDR therapy. This vision started more than 25 years ago with the establishment of the EMDR Institute and was expanded with her creation of Trauma Recovery/HAP.
Francine was a philanthropist. When Francine founded Trauma Recovery/HAP more than 25 years ago, it was to provide pro bono therapy to those suffering from a man-made or natural disaster. The response to the Oklahoma City bombing was the first with many to follow. This continues to this day with our work from Chico to Parkland to Las Vegas and Puerto Rico, and internationally to Sri Lanka and the West Bank. Francine was delighted that there are now nearly 60 TRNs (Trauma Recovery Networks) throughout this country and other parts of the world with more than 1,000 members.
She was generous with her time and treasure. Francine gave us her manual, the one used by the Institute, for our training’s. This incredible act of generosity allowed us the privilege of training our participants in Francine’s EMDR therapy model. It is this training that was recognized through SAMSHA as evidence based allowing it to be eventually recognized by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Defense and the American Psychiatric Association, among many.
She also supported us generously through regular donations, most recently to the Francine Shapiro Disaster Recovery Fund (now called the Francine Shapiro Disaster Recovery Memorial Fund) to allow our work in the U.S. and abroad to continue.
Francine was a teacher, mentor and thought leader. For many years, Francine traveled throughout this country and other parts of the world teaching and training in EMDR therapy. She was also asked to lecture throughout the world and was recognized as a pioneer in mental health. Collaborating with Francine, our Faculty training process was developed, from facilitator-in-training through Trainer. It reflects Francine’s high standards. Until just a few years ago, Francine continued to train our Faculty with regular Trainer Candidate training at Sea Ranch, California, her home.
Francine was an author. Francine was the author of nine books, numerous articles and research papers. She standardized procedures for EMDR to maximize patient outcomes and published empirical studies with trauma victims, proving the efficacy of her protocols.
Francine is an inspiration. Francine continues to inspire. This is her legacy – a passion to guide healing through EMDR therapy so that those affected could make a full recovery. This passion is the cornerstone of our work and it lives in the commitment of our volunteers. As Robbie Dunton, Francine’s colleague and our Board member shared, “Francine had two lifelong goals; to see peace throughout the world; and to bring EMDR therapy throughout the world.” We know that she succeeded in bringing EMDR therapy to the world; we hope that we will see world peace.
Sadness troubles our hearts with the passing of our Founder and friend. We will forever be grateful for her discovery and tireless efforts to bring relief and restore hope to those suffering from trauma. We are committed to achieving Francine Shapiro’s vision of trauma healing to those suffering around the globe. Join us if you are able.
Sincerely,
Carol R. Martin
Read more here https://www.emdrhap.org/content/about-hap/a-tribute-to-francine-shapiro/
