Syzygy Institute

05/01/2026

Most EMDR doesn’t stall because of the memory.

It stalls because of the system protecting the memory.

When a client suddenly “can’t go there,” becomes overwhelmed, or shifts away from the target, something important is happening — a protector has stepped in.

And that’s not resistance. It’s organization.

IFS changes EMDR by helping therapists recognize who is blocking access and why. Instead of pushing forward or backing off completely, the work shifts toward understanding the protector and building enough safety for processing to continue.

This is where EMDR becomes more precise, not less.

This is a core principle of The Syzygy Model™ at Syzygy Institute™.

Learn more at syzygyinstitute.com

04/30/2026

If you’ve been cautious about integrating other modalities into EMDR, you’re right to be.

EMDR’s effectiveness is rooted in a structured, evidence-based protocol. Introducing new approaches without a clear framework can lead to confusion, loss of pacing, or drift away from what makes EMDR work.

Many consultants are asking an important question:
Does this strengthen EMDR — or dilute it?

At Syzygy Institute™, this concern is taken seriously. Integration is not about layering techniques. It’s about maintaining fidelity while expanding understanding.

Caution isn’t resistance — it’s clinical responsibility.

Learn more at syzygyinstitute.com

04/29/2026

Practice is where clinical skills become embodied — but it must happen in an environment that prioritizes safety.

At Syzygy Institute™, experiential learning is carefully structured. Participants work in small groups, guided by experienced facilitators who support both the technical and emotional aspects of learning trauma therapy skills.

Practice sessions are consent-based and clearly bounded so participants can engage fully while feeling supported. Observing live demonstrations and practicing with peers allows clinicians to integrate concepts in a way that lecture alone cannot provide.

This balance of structure and safety helps therapists build confidence while learning the practical application of The Syzygy Model™.

Explore upcoming trainings at syzygyinstitute.com

04/28/2026

When EMDR starts to feel like it’s almost working — but something keeps getting in the way — this is the work that takes you further.

Step 3: Discovery & Beyond is where integration deepens.
This advanced training builds on The Syzygy Model™ to help you move through the Discovery process and into real, sustained healing — including desensitization, retrieval, and unburdening. You’ll learn how to work with protector-led systems in a way that allows processing to continue without force, while staying aligned with EMDR’s structure.

Join Elizabeth Venart, LPC for this live, experiential workshop:

🗓 May 7–8, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM ET
💻 Live Online

Prerequisite: Completion of Syzygy Step 2 required.

If you’re ready to move beyond stuck sessions and into clearer, more effective processing, this is your next step.

🔗 Learn more + register:
https://www.syzygyinstitute.com/discovery-and-beyond

04/27/2026

Step 2 is where many therapists begin to feel the integration truly come together.

IFS-Informed EMDR teaches clinicians how The Syzygy Model™ fits within the phases of EMDR so therapists can work with protectors while maintaining structure and pacing.

Rather than switching between modalities, participants learn how parts work and EMDR operate together in a coherent framework. This clarity helps therapists respond confidently when protectors emerge or processing slows.

The upcoming June training in New Jersey offers an opportunity to explore this work in a collaborative, experiential environment.

Learn more about Step 2 trainings at syzygyinstitute.com

04/24/2026

More and more EMDR therapists are exploring parts work. The question is no longer whether to integrate IFS — it’s how to do it without losing structure or clarity.

That’s where Syzygy Institute™ stands apart. Rather than simply “adding IFS” to EMDR, The Syzygy Model™ provides a structured integration that remains aligned with EMDR’s phases while incorporating the relational depth of parts work.

Clinicians come to Syzygy trainings because they want practical tools that translate immediately into real sessions. They want a way to address blocks, backlash, and dissociation without abandoning the EMDR framework they trust. And they value learning through live demonstrations, guided practice, and a supportive professional community.

If you’re looking for integration that brings clarity rather than complexity, this is the work.

Learn more at syzygyinstitute.com

04/23/2026

What happens when a consultee asks:
“What do I do with this part?”

It’s a moment many consultants recognize. The therapist is seeing something meaningful — a protector, an internal conflict, a shift in the system — but isn’t sure how to proceed within EMDR.

Conceptually, the answer may feel clear. Procedurally, it often isn’t.

This is where consultation is evolving. It’s no longer just about identifying what’s happening, but guiding what to do next in a way that maintains structure and safety.

At Syzygy Institute™, we focus on helping consultants navigate these moments with clarity and confidence.

Because integration shouldn’t leave you guessing.

Learn more at syzygyinstitute.com

04/22/2026

Learning integration is a process, not a single workshop.

At Syzygy Institute™, clinicians move through a three-step training sequence designed to build understanding and confidence gradually.

Step 1 introduces the fundamentals of Internal Family Systems and how parts work appears in trauma therapy.

Step 2 brings the integration into EMDR through The Syzygy Model™, offering phase-specific guidance for working with protectors during processing.

Step 3 deepens the work through advanced applications that help therapists navigate complex systems and continue processing when traditional approaches stall.

Together, these workshops create a pathway from conceptual understanding to confident clinical ex*****on.

Explore the training sequence at syzygyinstitute.com

04/21/2026

It's so exciting to hear our co-founders talk about healing and the new book they've contributed to: IFS Informed EMDR: Creative and Collaborative Approaches!

Bruce Hersey articulated the Syzygy model, which integrates EMDR, IFS, and Coherence Therapy. Bruce shared that instead of calling this work "parts work" he understands it as "Self work." Recognizing the importance of Self in the system, opens up a new way to appreciate necessary elements of dual awareness.

Michelle Richardson expanded Syzygy's “Discovery” phase, and how valuable this is when working with highly protective systems.

Learn more about Syzygy at www.syzygyinstitute.com
Find the book on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/IFS-Informed-EMDR-Creative-Collaborative-Approaches/dp/103289167X

This special episode was recorded in front of a live audience. Heather and David Polidi host an incredible group of contributors to IFS Informed EMDR: Creative and Collaborative Approaches. We explored the foundational sections of the book. In this gathering we expressed our thoughts on healing, and...

04/20/2026

"I had a good bit of familiarity with the content prior to this training... Crystal was an EXCELLENT presenter... I would 100% take another training with her."

Feedback like this reflects something participants frequently notice about trainings at Syzygy Institute™ — the combination of expertise and warmth in the learning environment.

Watching experienced trainers demonstrate The Syzygy Model™ in action gives clinicians the opportunity to see how integration works in real time. The demonstrations, combined with guided practice, help translate theory into practical skill.

When therapists feel supported in the learning process, they’re more willing to take risks, ask questions, and deepen their understanding of the work.

Learn more about upcoming trainings at syzygyinstitute.com

04/17/2026

Many therapists feel inspired by the idea of integrating IFS and EMDR. The concepts resonate. The theory makes sense.

But when protectors appear mid-session, when a client becomes flooded, or when processing suddenly stalls, inspiration alone doesn’t provide direction.

What therapists often need most is clinical structure.

The Syzygy Model™, developed at Syzygy Institute™, focuses on phase-specific integration so clinicians understand how parts work fits within EMDR’s framework. Rather than improvising or switching modalities, therapists learn how to stay grounded in the protocol while responding skillfully to the system in front of them.

Integration works best when it supports clarity — for the therapist and for the client.

Discover how this model works at syzygyinstitute.com

04/16/2026

Consultants are being asked to think differently.

EMDR consultation has traditionally focused on protocol, case conceptualization, and fidelity. Those elements still matter — but now, consultants are also being asked to help therapists understand:

• Internal systems
• Protective parts
• Why processing stalls

This doesn’t replace EMDR. It expands how we think about what’s happening within the protocol.

For many consultants, the challenge isn’t willingness — it’s clarity. How do you incorporate these perspectives without losing structure?

At Syzygy Institute™, this question is central to our work. Integration becomes something that is defined, not improvised.

Learn more at syzygyinstitute.com