Tamarack Health Psychotherapist goes global; Custom therapy for autistic people developed in Ashland is sought after around the world

Ashland Medical Center Behavioral Health Psychotherapist Sherri Paulson recently took her expertise to Warsaw, leading a training conference for 200 therapists in Poland.

The two-day conference focused on sharing her work and protocols on therapy for autistic or neurodevelopmental patients who suffer from mental or physical traumas. Paulson has been practicing the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy model with autistic individuals since 1998, according to a news release.

EMDR therapy is a mental health treatment technique that involves moving your eyes a specific way while you process traumatic memories. Compared to other therapy methods, EMDR is relatively new, with its first clinical trial in 1989. Paulson introduced her adapted protocol for using EMDR with autism to her peers in 2006. Since then, she has practiced and presented case studies demonstrating the proven long-term benefits of using EMDR with autistic individuals. Her protocol has been shared with therapists in more than 23 countries and in most of the United States.

“I work with people of all ages to help them overcome trauma or abuse,” Paulson said in the release. “The protocol also works for autistic individuals with varying degrees of complexities. My philosophy of care is positive reinforcement, or affirmation, especially with autistic patients. Instead of being ashamed or trying to just be normal, we work on acknowledging, owning the fact that they are autistic, that it’s ok, and there is still a good life to live and a path through it that is intentional and meaningful. I really get to know each person, to find out what they really want and then help them get it.”

Thomas Jensen, director of behavioral health, appreciates having Paulson on the team.

“Her work and her positive impact in our area is more than admirable. Although she continues to help individuals in our community, her work is shifting to a world-renowned level. It is truly an honor to have such an experienced psychotherapist right here in Ashland,” he said in the release.