Attachment-Focused EMDR
Healing that reaches
the depths of who you are
Dr. Laurel Parnell has pioneered a gentler, more relational approach to EMDR therapy — helping thousands of clinicians and clients heal trauma at its root.
30+
Years of Experience
7
Published Books
20K+
MEMBERS Trained
20+
Countries Reached
"Healing isn't just the absence of pain — it's the return to your whole self."
EMDR International Association
Omega Institute
Alliant International University
Esalen Institute
NY Open Center
ID Institut Germany
Dr. Parnell is a leading expert on the therapeutic tool, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing — more widely known as EMDR. While Dr. Parnell has trained thousands of clinicians in EMDR both nationally and internationally, she has also taught transpersonal psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco and was core faculty at John F. Kennedy University in the Graduate School for the Study of Human Consciousness.
Dr. Parnell has written seven books on EMDR and is one of the most respected leaders of EMDR trainings and workshops. Her latest book is Attachment-Focused EMDR: Healing Relational Trauma.
EMDR International Association
Omega Institute
Alliant International University
Esalen Institute
NY Open Center
ID Institut Germany
Free EMDR Ebook — Download Now
Get our FREE "Introduction to Attachment-Focused EMDR" ebook to learn the basic principles of EMDR with an attachment focus, its powerful benefits for your clients, and how you can integrate it into your practice.
Offerings
Trainings, Workshops & Resources
Every year, Dr. Parnell's schedule of EMDR trainings and workshops takes her across the country and abroad. Whether you're a clinician seeking certification or deepening your practice, there's a path here for you.
Every year, Dr. Parnell's schedule takes her across the country and abroad. The online schedule includes full training and workshop registration information.
7 Seven Books on EMDR
Dr. Parnell has written seven books on EMDR and is one of the most respected leaders in the field. Her latest: Attachment-Focused EMDR: Healing Relational Trauma.
Instructional Videos
Considered a master clinician, Dr. Parnell has produced many videos of live EMDR demonstration sessions with volunteer clients. Home-study workshops are also available.
Certification Program
Access Dr. Parnell's trainings from anywhere in the world through Alliant International University, ID Institut in Kassel, Germany, Omega Institute, and more.
Find an EMDR Therapist
Looking for an EMDR therapist? Browse the full directory of trained clinicians all over the world — certified through the Parnell Institute network.
Search Directory
Contact Dr. Parnell
Members of the media and those wishing to arrange for additional training or workshop programs may contact Dr. Parnell directly. Thank you for your interest!
Books by Dr. Laurel Parnell
Dr. Parnell has written seven books on EMDR and is one of the most respected leaders of EMDR trainings and EMDR workshops. Her latest book is Releasing What Isn't Yours: Living from Your True Self Through Multidimensional Integrative Healing.
About Dr. Parnell
Dr. Laurel Parnell
Laurel Parnell, Ph.D. is an internationally recognized clinical psychologist, author, teacher, and pioneer in trauma healing. A leading innovator in the field of EMDR since 1991, she is the originator of Attachment-Focused EMDR and Resource Tapping, approaches that have transformed trauma treatment for clinicians around the world. Through her compassionate, client-centered approach, Dr. Parnell has helped shape a model of healing that integrates attachment theory, neuroscience, and the wisdom of body, mind, and spirit.
Dr. Parnell is the author of seven books, including Attachment-Focused EMDR: Healing Relational Trauma, Rewiring the Addicted Brain with EMDR-Based Treatment, A Therapist’s Guide to EMDR, Tapping In, Transforming Trauma with EMDR, and EMDR in the Treatment of Adults Abused as Children. Her newest book, Releasing What Isn’t Yours: Living from Your True Self Through Multidimensional Integrative Healing, will be released in June 2026 and expands her work into a multidimensional approach to healing.
In addition to her clinical and teaching work, Dr. Parnell has contributed to the fields of transpersonal psychology and relational trauma through decades of clinical practice, training, consulting, writing, and professional presentations. Her work continues to bridge cutting-edge trauma treatment with profound personal and spiritual healing.
An internationally sought-after trainer and keynote speaker, Dr. Parnell has trained thousands of clinicians worldwide and taught through respected institutions including Alliant International University, Esalen Institute, Omega Institute, Kripalu Center, and beyond. Considered a master clinician, she is known for adapting therapeutic approaches to honor each individual’s psychological, emotional, cultural, and developmental needs, while emphasizing safety, compassion, and deep transformation.
The Approach
Attachment-Focused EMDR
A deeper, more relational way of healing trauma — integrating the latest attachment science with EMDR's evidence-based framework.
01
Relational Safety First
Before processing begins, we cultivate a secure therapeutic relationship. Safety is the foundation of all lasting change.
02
Resource Installation
We build internal resources — calm places, nurturing figures, protectors — giving the nervous system tools to regulate during and after processing.
03
Attachment-Attuned Processing
EMDR reprocessing is adapted to be gentler and more attuned to the client's relational needs — honoring developmental wounds.
04
Integration & Consolidation
We close each session with care, integrating gains into the client's life and supporting long-term neurological and emotional integration.
Interview with Guy McPherson, Ph.D. — Trauma Therapist 101
A deep conversation on the evolution of Attachment-Focused EMDR, working with developmental trauma, and the role of the therapeutic relationship.
Tapping In — Dr. Parnell & Dawson Church in Conversation
An engaging exploration of somatic healing, EMDR's neurological foundations, and the intersection of energy psychology and trauma recovery.
Get in Touch with Dr. Parnell
Email is the best and most efficient way to get a quick answer from us. If you need to call, please do so at (415) 493-8691.
Members of the media and those wishing to arrange for additional trainings or workshops may contact her team directly. Thank you for your interest!
If you are looking to attend one of Dr. Parnell's trainings, you can see the full schedule here.
If you are looking for an EMDR therapist, click here to see a full directory of clinicians all over the world.
Please note: Dr. Parnell is no longer accepting private patients.
If you are looking to have Dr. Parnell come and train for your organization, you must have 36+ committed participants. Please note the cost will be significantly higher for in-person trainings. You might consider one of our virtual trainings.
An internationally recognized clinical psychologist, author, consultant and EMDR trainer. Pioneering Attachment-Focused EMDR for over three decades.
© Copyright 2006 - 2026. Laurel Parnell, Ph.D. ·
All Rights Reserved
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