Beth Bickel (She/her)

I became interested in and began studying trauma and its effects over twenty years ago, even before I started my program in mental health counseling. I worked in domestic violence shelters and programs, which ultimately led to my career as a therapist. I began learning about the brain and the nervous system in relation to trauma during my work in domestic violence, which also piqued my interest in EMDR. I completed an EMDR training two years ago. EMDR is a valuable tool in my trauma practice.

After graduating from my counseling program, I decided to obtain post-graduate training in family and child therapy. I completed a two year intensive program in Eco-systemic Structural Family Therapy (ESFT), which also led to my seeking licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist. My experience includes working with children in residential treatment, as well as with their families. I also was a family-based therapist, which is an intervention program for families on the verge of losing custody.

My perspective on trauma is based on neurobiology and attachment theory. Attachment disorders can be linked to borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, dissociation, addictions and trauma. My interest and education in attachment spans all ages, from infants to adults. I have also been trained in a specific protocol that utilizes EMDR and family therapy to treat developmental trauma.

I have been working with foster children and families for the past five years. In that time I have learned about the foster care system and understand the stressors that are associated with foster care. I have worked with foster children, foster parents, kinship parents and biological parents. Foster care is often a result of abuse, neglect or other traumatic events and is closely connected to attachment issues. I have experience and specialized training in all of these areas.

I have been trained in a model called Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol that is designed to treat developmental and other types of trauma experienced by children. The model incorporates attachment theory, family therapy and EMDR. I have also been trained in adult attachment therapy, a model which also incorporates EMDR and intergenerational trauma.