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I'm so glad that you're here! I am going to give you the raw, genuine bio of who I am- not just as a trainer, mental health professional, coach or consultant- but of myself as a human.
So let's get down to business...I have a Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work, am an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and published Author. But really, if I were giving myself a title, it would simply be- a healer.
I want to share beyond my educational scope and talk about the living, breathing experience that I have gained not just through higher education and training, but through trials, failures, repeated mistakes, personal setbacks and miraculous victories.
I come from my own background of complex trauma and have spent much of my life living in this identity as a chaotic victim, feeling like I could never rise above these early life experiences to become the person I desperately wanted to be. I would do anything I could to escape the pain and shame I felt.
For years, I stayed stuck and emersed in my own personal victimhood. This led to repeated cycles, habits and patterns that felt inescapable, and took on a life of their own. As a result there was treacherous hurt- in myself, people I genuinely loved and cared for, as well as my career-even impacting my professional licensure. Because of my inability to fully face myself, I continued to have countless messy, imperfect life lessons that were layered with fear, failure, doubt, uncertainty, and shame.
When I finally was brave enough to face myself and the wreckage and torment of my past, I discovered something unshakeable and invaluable- real authentic love and healing that was witnessed, supported and encouraged by myself and a few select individuals that always saw my true potential and soul. Afterall, what we all crave is to be seen and heard for who we really are despite our flaws and failures. Change really is possible, no matter how long we have struggled.
My work is all about inspiring other people to step into their own authenticity, as scary as that can be. And to wrestle with the messiness of their lives while finding the inner truth of who they really are and creating the life they want to live. My clinical and personal life experience have allowed me to develop and tailor a unique way of treating individuals and training and consulting professionals across the globe to break free from the stigmas and barriers of trauma.
I hope this information and glance into my humanity will help you decide if we align in purpose and value.
Megan is dedicated and passionate to serving in various forms. She believes strongly that no one should be forgotten and supports clients in finding their voice and advocating for their individual choice.
Bill Hodson has worked in the behavioral health field for more than 30 years, serving individuals and families affected by mental health and substance abuse challenges. He has a wealth of experience in all levels of care, including inpatient, medical detox, residential, day treatment, and outpatient services for adults, adolescent, and children. With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Colorado State University and a Masters of Arts in Psychology from Chapman University, Bill’s deep compassion and unwavering enthusiasm for helping others to overcome life’s challenges and reach their fullest potential is the biggest gift he brings to those he serves.
Natalie Liberman is a multi-lingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as well as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and her first Master's degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. Natalie also holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Dubna. Natalie began teaching for Gerry Grossman Seminars in 2011, where she leads workshops helping candidates prepare for the LCSW and LMFT licensing exams, and a variety of Continuing Education courses. Natalie is recognized for her clear, engaging, effective and enthusiastic teaching style. She brings a wealth of clinical experience, knowledge, humor, and curiosity to all of her classes. In addition to teaching for Gerry Grossman Seminars, Natalie is an Adjunct Faculty Member at Pepperdine University in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology (West LA campus), as well as Pepperdine’s online Master's Degree programs. In her private practice, Natalie works with clients dealing with substance abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, career and life transitions, sexual problems, social anxiety disorders, communication issues, self-esteem and general quality of life issues. Natalie has extensive training in contemporary psychodynamic theory, and also uses Humanistic –Existential, Cognitive-Behavioral treatment, and EMDR therapy depending on the unique needs of each client.
In addition to his extensive experience as a highly skilled Nurse Practitioner certified in family health, Brian brings a diverse range of qualifications and expertise.
With over 20 years of hands-on experience in the healthcare field and a total of 40 years dedicated to healthcare, his commitment to promoting well-being is deeply ingrained. His educational background includes an undergraduate degree from Idaho State University in 1989 and a master’s in nursing (MSN) obtained in 2003. These qualifications have provided him with a solid foundation for understanding the intricacies of healthcare delivery.
However, his dedication to advancing knowledge and exploring innovative approaches goes beyond traditional medicine. He has recently expanded his skill set by becoming certified as both a Master Hypnotherapist and Neurolinguistic Practitioner. These additional certifications allow him to offer unique insights into the mind-body connection and provide valuable perspectives on holistic wellness.
His passion for empowering individuals extends beyond clinical practice. Through coaching, he focuses on helping individuals achieve their wellness goals while encouraging personal growth and self-empowerment. By combining evidence-based medical knowledge with alternative modalities, he aims to guide individuals towards creating lives that align with their true desires.
Outside of academia, he is proud to be a spouse of 37 years, a parent of four grown children, and an invested grandparent to seven grandchildren. These personal connections have taught him invaluable lessons about nurturing relationships and cherishing meaningful moments - insights that inform his approach when working with others.
Furthermore, he actively engages in various creative pursuits such as writing, painting, and exploring literature. These experiences fuel his passion for self-expression and enable him to present fresh perspectives within his work. Brian believes that creativity plays an integral role in fostering innovation and pushing boundaries within academic research.
Brian brings not only a wealth of professional experience, but also a deep understanding of the human condition and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.
Kurt Thomson is an outdoorsman hardworking father and husband with a passion for helping individuals overcome obstacles and challenges in their lives. He is a father of 6 which means he has gained extensive knowledge of dealing with multiple personalities along with facing challenges of being a stepfather and blending a family. He has over a decade of educating himself in psychology, parenting and marriage counseling. One of his biggest tools in helping individuals with their hardships in life is that he has first hand experience in extreme situations that life presents, which books sometimes can’t teach. He has dealt with the challenges such as betrayal, cancer, step-parenting, marriage conflict and self healing. Kurt's goal in life is to pass on his knowledge and experience to anyone in need, his reward is seeing the healing or education that individuals get in return.
New Harbinger’s self-help books and workbooks are grounded in science, careful research, and a tradition of empirically validated clinical practice. They are one of the leading mental health publishers in the United States. Megan's first workbook on EMDR was released in May 2023.
Megan’s education includes specialized training geared to helping individuals in addiction prevention, intervention, treatment and continuing care services.
Financial: Megan Salar is the owner of Recoverhe Counseling & Consulting. She receives honorariums from Psicologia.io of Italy, Online CECredits.com, and Telemental Health Summitt. She is an author with New Harbinger Publications receiving royalties. Ms. Salar receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from her speaking engagements. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Megan Salar is a member of the International Society of Addiction Medicine and the National Association of Social Workers.
*Megan is no longer associated with EMDRIA. None of her trainings are EMDRIA approved.
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5-Day Basic Intensive EMDR Training
Part 1: Dec 4-6, 2024
Part 2: Feb 13 & 14, 2024