When people ask me how I got into this field my answer is usually the same. I have always
known I would eventually become a therapist. Serving on active duty in the U.S. Army as a
commissioned officer and completing a combat deployment to Afghanistan from 2004-2005
reshaped my life in a myriad of ways. I was personally introduced to Eye Movement
Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) upon my redeployment and
have directly experienced its life changing results.
I left active duty in 2012 to attend graduate school at the Catholic University of America. While
attending their National Catholic School of Social Service, I completed two advanced
internships. At the Fort Meade Behavioral Health Clinic, I worked with Soldiers, civilians, and
their families throughout the deployment lifecycle. While at the Maryland Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA), I worked with Veterans of all ages navigating their needs, healthcare
services, and earned benefits. After graduating in 2014 and earning my Master of Social Work
(MSW), I relocated south to Fort Bragg, NC.
I completed my residency in the Fayetteville area working at a private practice offering outpatient
therapy, and a local community health clinic where I provided clinical and diagnostic support for
adults with serious and persistent mental illnesses (SPMI). Upon completing my independent
licensure requirements, I relocated to the Northern Virginia (NOVA) area with my family.
From 2019-2021 I worked at a local private practice as an outpatient therapist and principal
member of their graduate training team. It was here that I developed an amazing community of
talented professionals and began working in a virtual capacity. During the COVID-19 pandemic,
I closed the doors of my traditional brick-and-mortar office and began working fully virtual from
my home office. It was during this timeframe that I completed my basic training with EMDR of
the Rockies, an approved training institute by the Eye Movement Desensitization and
Reprocessing (EMDR) International Association (EMDRIA). I completed my basic level
consultation under the talented Tamra Hughes, LPC and earned my EMDR certification in
January of 2025. I also became a consultant in training (CIT) and am currently working under
the brilliant consultation of Katie Chandler, LCSW.
I can say without a doubt that NovaEMDR has been a passion project of mine for years. A place
for anyone to learn more about healing and have someone walk with them during this process.
Saying that, I have been inspired by the art and teachings of Kintsugi for the last decade. Built
upon the idea of finding strength in imperfections, Kintsugi or kintsukuroi is an ancestral
Japanese art and philosophy from the fifteenth century. Focusing on repairing and strengthening
broken objects by accentuating the cracks with gold- instead of hiding them. This process is extremely long and detailed, executed in numerous stages, lasting several weeks,
months, or even years. The broken pieces symbolize healing and resilience. They are cared for,
accepted, honored, and become more robust and beautiful and precious than before. A beautiful
metaphor of physical or emotional healing, it reminds us that our scars, whether visible or
invisible, are proof that we can overcome difficulties. Like a living kintsugi, we too can be
transformed and strengthened by hardship.
~With paraphrasing respect to the author, Celine Santini.
