CompassionWorks

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Dallas, TX
CompassionWorks

CompassionWorks was founded in 1998 by Jordan Shafer, MS, LPC. Through EMDR we can let your brain change the way emotional information is linked.

CompassionWorks offers EMDR & Mindfulness Distance Counseling to individuals, EMDR training & Continuing Education courses to mental health professionals. EMDR is a type of therapy that helps people move past difficulties, so they can be more present and enjoy their daily lives. Similar to other psychotherapies, we talk about what is happening in your life and explore practical solutions. However,

we take it another step further by leveraging EMDR processing to work directly with your ‘limbic’ brain. This process allows neural networks, old and new, to link-up allowing the mind to become more open in its ability to find creative solutions. As a result, anxiety will lessen and life can begin to ‘feel’ more manageable; even better. We offer EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) approved EMDR Basic Training to Mental Health Professionals such as psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, professional counselors and graduate students in the field of mental health (completing their internships). Partnering with the Advanced Education Institute, we teach the EMDR training program developed by DaLene Forester, PhD, LMFT. For EMDR trained therapists and mental health professionals, we also offer an EMDR Boot Camp. This is for professionals who have completed the basic training (previously EMDR L1 & L2) from an EMDRIA approved training or the EMDR Institute. This two day EMDR skills refresher course is specifically designed for professionals that have not had the opportunity to practice EMDR. This is the perfect course for professionals that would like hands on practice to their build technical competence. Continuing Education credits for EMDR trained professionals are also available. For more information, visit us at www.CompassionWorks.com or call (972) 342 - 2448.

08/13/2025

👤 Therapist. Facilitator. Human.

As therapists, we often carry our own wounds into the room—not as a liability, but as a source of empathy, depth, and attunement.

You’ve likely learned to show up with presence, not certainty. To regulate while witnessing pain. To hold space even when something inside you aches.

🌿 This post isn’t a list of what to do, but a reminder of how to be. Because wellness for therapists isn’t just about bubble baths or boundaries—it’s about honoring the lived experience you bring into the room.

💡 “It is your own hurt that gives you the measuring stick with which to heal.” — Clarissa Pinkola Estés

💬 What wisdom is your healing offering you today? Let us know in the comments below.

08/07/2025

🧠 What if healing isn’t about what happened—but about what the nervous system learned to expect?

In this Founder’s Corner reflection, Jordan Shafer explores how trauma reshapes our internal world—not just through events, but through patterns of prediction.

🔁 A sound. A face. A subtle shift in tone.
The nervous system stores these cues, and over time, it builds a script: This isn’t safe. This will go wrong.

But EMDR offers a way to rewrite that script—to meet the moment with presence, not just protection.

✨ This piece is for therapists, clients, and anyone walking the path of re-patterning.

📖 Read: When the Nervous System Rewrites Its Script
👉 https://compassionworks.com/nervous-system-trauma-emdr/

08/01/2025

Culturally responsive care isn’t an extra—it’s essential.

While EMDR therapy offers powerful tools for healing trauma, it must be practiced with cultural humility and awareness to truly meet the needs of BIPOC clients.

Our latest blog post explores:
📊 Racial disparities in mental health care
🧠 How trauma intersects with systemic oppression
🛠️ Practical ways to adapt EMDR protocols with cultural intention

From naming cultural emotional injuries in the therapy room to integrating ancestral resources in resourcing phases, this article offers actionable guidance for EMDR clinicians ready to grow.

📖 Read: Providing Culturally Responsive EMDR Care to BIPOC Clients
👉 https://compassionworks.com/culturally-responsive-emdr/

07/28/2025

BIPOC Mental Health: Why Culturally Responsive Care Matters

📊 In 2022, 56% of White adults with mental illness received care—compared to just 37.9% of Black and 39.6% of Hispanic adults (SAMHSA, 2022).

⚠️ These disparities reflect systemic barriers: inequitable access, cultural stigma, and the lasting impact of discrimination. They’re not just numbers—they’re real people left without the support they deserve.

💡 Mental health equity means care that’s accessible, inclusive, and responsive. For clinicians, it also means committing to cultural humility in every session.

💬 How do you bring cultural awareness into your work?
We’d love to hear your perspective.

07/24/2025

🗨️ “First you learn the steps. Then you start dancing with the client.”

This new Founder’s Corner entry draws a powerful parallel between therapy and improvisational art—reminding us that structure is only the beginning.

In “Learning Like an Artist”, Jordan Shafer explores how real therapeutic presence emerges when we stop aiming for perfection and start tuning into the moment. Like dancers or musicians, EMDR therapists evolve from following the script to moving with nuance, flexibility, and trust.

✨ For anyone learning to balance precision with presence—this one’s for you.
📖 Read it now: https://compassionworks.com/learning-like-an-artist/

07/22/2025

Let’s bust some myths. 🧠

From hypnosis confusion to misconceptions about who it’s for, EMDR therapy is often misunderstood—even by mental health professionals.

Here’s the truth:
✔ You’re awake and in control
✔ It’s effective beyond PTSD
✔ And no—it’s not magic. It’s evidence-based therapy.

✨ Swipe through for more—and let’s clear up the confusion, one myth at a time.

💬 Surprised by any of these? What myths have you heard about EMDR?

07/17/2025

Ready to start your EMDR journey? Your seat is waiting. 🧠✨

Whether you're looking for in-person, hybrid, or online training—we’ve got a format that fits your needs and your schedule.

📍 Train with us in Texas—multiple in-person trainings across the state
💻 Join us online—full EMDR certification and specialty workshops, all from the comfort of your home
🧑‍🏫 Try hybrid—combine in-person connection with online flexibility
EMDRIA-approved, expertly led, and designed to support your growth as a trauma-informed clinician.

👉 Claim your seat now and take the next step in trauma-informed care.
🔗 www.compassionworks.com

07/14/2025

🎙 Real Voices. Real Impact.

We’re kicking off a new series featuring feedback from those who’ve trained with CompassionWorks—because nothing speaks louder than the voices of clinicians in the field.

In this first spotlight, a trainee shares how our History & Prep workshop helped sharpen their approach with combat veteran clients—preparing them for EMDR processing with more focus and effectiveness.

Whether you're just starting or refining your skills, our trainings are built for real-world impact.
🧠 Explore upcoming opportunities:
👉 www.compassionworks.com

07/09/2025

Men are struggling—and many are doing it silently 🫥

While men report mental health concerns at similar rates as women, they’re far less likely to seek help—often due to stigma, cultural expectations, and fear of being judged.

In our latest blog post, we explore:
📉 Why men underreport symptoms
🧠 The unique pressures they face
🛠️ How EMDR therapy can support healing—without forcing disclosure

It’s time to shift the conversation from silence to support.

👥 Read the full post: Supporting Men’s Mental Health
👉 https://compassionworks.com/supporting-mens-mental-health/

07/08/2025

🗳️ Vote Now: EMDR International Association – Board of Directors 2025 Election

We’re proud to support Dr. Jinnelle Powell, PhD, LPC-S, CompassionWorks Trainer and Consultant, as a candidate for the EMDRIA Board of Directors.

Jinnelle brings:
✔ A deep commitment to equity in clinician development
✔ Proven experience training and mentoring EMDR therapists
✔ A clear vision to expand access to EMDR

✅ Voting is open now through August 1st.
📩 If you’re an EMDRIA member, check your email for your ballot and cast your vote today.

Let’s shape the future of EMDR—together.

06/27/2025

Trauma is more common than we think.

According to the WHO World Mental Health Surveys, over 70% of people have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime—many report several. These events range from accidents and disasters to violence, loss, or war.

And yet, access to effective trauma treatment remains limited in many parts of the world.

That’s where EMDR comes in.
🧠 As a trauma-focused, evidence-based modality, EMDR is helping clinicians support healing in real, lasting ways—even across diverse cultures and crisis settings.

💡 Training matters. Whether you're beginning your EMDR journey or expanding your skills, we're here to support you.

👉 Explore upcoming EMDR trainings: https://bit.ly/EMDR-Training-Schedule

06/26/2025

🎨 “We teach it by the numbers, but you learn to use it by the beauty.”

The newest Founder’s Corner entry explores a truth every EMDR therapist eventually discovers:
Structure matters—but so does improvisation.

💡 In Structured Yet Alive, we invite you to consider how EMDR evolves from a step-by-step method into something more alive, intuitive, and attuned.

📚 This piece is for every therapist who’s ever wondered:
When do I stick to the script? And when do I trust the moment?

🌀 Read it now on the CompassionWorks blog → https://compassionworks.com/emdr-structured-yet-alive/

Address

Dallas, TX

Telephone

(972) 342-2448

Website

https://compassionworks.com/

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