About Us

Hi there!

We are Julie & Marleen

It's our pleasure that you're here, feel free to read more below to learn about each of us.

Our Mission

To empower mental health professionals by providing comprehensive, evidence-based EMDR training at both basic and advanced levels. Through our expert-led programs, we equip therapists with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to integrate EMDR therapy into their practice, enabling them to transform the lives of their clients.

My Why

Marleen Filimon, MSc, RP

Co-Founder, EMDR Essentials | EMDR Approved Consultant

EMDR has always been a passion of mine. My journey with EMDR began in university, where my thesis focused on the efficacy of non-verbal recall using EMDR. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how EMDR transforms trauma therapy—helping clients process deeply rooted experiences while keeping therapists engaged with cutting-edge research on the brain and trauma.

I completed my EMDR Basic Training in 2018, became a Certified EMDR Therapist in 2020, and achieved EMDRIA-approved Consultant status in 2022. In addition to working extensively with EMDR in my private practice, I have coached and facilitated at different EMDR Basic Trainings. My background as a trauma counsellor in Haiti also shapes my perspective, reinforcing the importance of adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and real-world application in EMDR therapy.

My approach to training is supportive and collaborative. I encourage questions, as they signal active learning, and I often use metaphors to break down complex concepts in an accessible way. I believe that learning should be engaging and tailored to individual needs, which is why our training environment allows flexibility—whether that means taking movement breaks, standing up, or even knitting while listening.

Through these trainings, my goal is to equip therapists with the confidence and skills to integrate EMDR into their practice effectively. I want every participant to leave feeling prepared, empowered, and ready to help their clients process trauma and heal.

You can learn more about me and my practice here

“For all of us, unprocessed memories are generally the basis of negative responses, attitudes and behaviors. Processed memories, on the other hand, are the basis of adaptive positive responses, attitudes and behaviors.”

―
Francine Shapiro,
Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR Therapy

My Why

Julie Marquis, MSc, RP

Co-Founder, EMDR Essentials | EMDR Approved Consultant

I learned about EMDR In 2014, and it changed the trajectory of my practice. In 2015 I completed my EMDR Basic Training, and have been using it ever since.

My journey in this field has been enriched by working with a wide array of clients, from young children, survivors of abuse, first responders, military, torture survivors and human trafficking survivors. The diversity of the clients has showcased the remarkable adaptability of EMDR, confirming its effectiveness irrespective of cultural and linguistic borders.

Embracing my role as both a therapist and an EMDR Consultant my methodology in preparing future EMDR therapists is both lively and exploratory, designed to actively engage and dispel any trace of boredom. At EMDR Essentials, our commitment has been to equip therapists with hands-on, essential techniques and insights for weaving EMDR therapy into their professional practice.

Moreover, my teaching philosophy gives precedence to hands-on, practical strategies rather than ambiguous theoretical concepts, which speaks to the learning preferences of a variety of individuals, including me, given my personal experiences with ADHD.

Within the training sessions, I promote an atmosphere of interaction and involvement—a learning space where participants are encouraged to partake in activities that are kinetic, ask questions, and take movement breaks as needed. Ultimately, my guiding principles are grounded in the virtues of clarity, creativity, and direct applicability when it comes to training. My aim is to support therapists in the development of their skills, ensuring they can apply EMDR techniques with a sense of assurance and effectiveness.

You can learn more about me and my practice here

Both of us are here because someone believed in us!

We know how daunting it can be to try something new. Becoming therapists meant learning new skills, approaches, and pushing ourselves outside our comfort zone on a regular basis. We both have had people who have believed in us, gave us a chance, cheered us on, challenged us, and called us on our areas of growth. We believe that these are some of the reasons why we are where we are today and it's part of what makes us want to be here to be the same for you.

We are here to cheer you on, teach you, encourage you, challenge you, push you outside your comfort zone, and support you every step of the way.

COME JOIN OUR EMDR WORLD

Say hi on Instagram

Come find us on Instagram. You'll see stories, posts, reels and all sorts of shenanigans that we get up to along the way of EMDR trainings.

Catch us on YouTube

Check out our YouTube channel, you'll find videos of us chatting about all things EMDR and being a therapist.

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