EMDR Readiness Academy Meet Our Team

EMDRIA Certified Therapist, Approved Consultant & Trainer
Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress
Diplomate of the National Center for Crisis Management
Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies
Certified Level 3 Advanced Team-CBT Therapist
Amen Method Professional & Certified HeartMath Practioner

Specializing in Complex/Developmental Trauma & Dissociation

Susanne (Susie) Morgan specializes in the treatment of PTSD and Complex/Developmental Trauma. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA License LMFT41442) in private practice in Encinitas, CA. She is Board Certified by and a Diplomate of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, as well as a Diplomate of the National Center for Crisis Management. She is a member of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, a member of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and Fellow of the American Psychotherapy Association.

In order to be able to effectively address the complexity of symptoms experienced by her clients, she continually pursues further development of her clinical skills. Early in her career, Ms. Morgan completed California State Certification as a Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Advocate. She has completed the Certificate Program in Traumatic Stress Studies through leading trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk. Ms. Morgan was originally trained in EMDR therapy in 2005. She is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist, has been an Approved Consultant since 2011, and has completed extensive advanced training in EMDR therapy and related physiologically-based intervention protocols for the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Dissociative Disorders, and other mental health conditions. She is an approved EMDRIA Training and Credit Provider and for provision of basic training and continuing education to EMDR therapists. Ms. Morgan authored and created the professional training The Readiness Course for EMDR Clinicians: A Model & Practicum for How to Begin with Non-Dissociative Complex Trauma Cases as well as The EMDR Readiness Course: Powerful First Steps to Heal & Transform Your Life Story, a self-help resource for clients and those considering EMDR therapy.

Ms. Morgan has substantial training in Cognitive-Behavioral treatments for trauma, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, most significantly with David Burns of Stanford University. She is a Certified Level 3 Advanced TEAM-CBT Therapist through the Feeling Good Institute, applying David Burns's cutting edge approaches to assessment and treatment. Ms. Morgan has been fully trained and accredited by the the Amen Clinics and is a Certified HeartMath Practitioner through the Institute of HeartMath. Ms. Morgan also completed a continuing education certificate in the treatment of Eating Disorders and worked with Team Mermaid, a women's triathlon association, in the development of a body image and self esteem curriculum for the Mini-Mermaids Girls Running Club.

Basic Training Group Consultation: $75/hr
Basic Training Individual Consultation: $200/hr

Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Supervisor
EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Approved Consultant
EMDRIA San Diego Regional Co-Coordinator
Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies
Past Adjunct Professor at UC San Diego, San Diego State University, Alliant International University, and Argosy University
Author of the textbook: Understanding Eating Disorders: Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery

Specializing in Eating Disorders

Dr. Danielle Hiestand is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA License LMFT48529) in private practice in Scripps Ranch, San Diego. She currently specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, PTSD, and complex trauma. Dr. Hiestand has treated eating disorders, depression, anxiety and PTSD at all levels of care including residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient facilities. She has completed advanced training in EMDR therapy, eating disorders, personality disorders and dissociative disorders including a Certificate Program in Traumatic Stress Studies provided by trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk. Dr. Hiestand is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Supervisor (CEDS-S), a Certified EMDR Therapist and Approved EMDR Consultant

In addition to providing therapeutic services Dr. Hiestand has been an adjunct professor at University of California, San Diego, Alliant International University and San Diego State University. Dr. Hiestand is an invited guest lecturer and has provided numerous trainings and workshops on the topics of eating disorders and trauma. She is the author of the textbook Understanding Eating Disorders: Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery. In 2013 Dr. Hiestand co-created Savor Podcast. For three years she recorded over 40 episodes on topics such as nutrition, body image, mindfulness, yoga, eating disorders, dieting, and EMDR.

As an EMDR Consultant, Dr. Hiestand helps consultantees weave EMDR therapy into their practice and build their confidence when introducing clients to EMDR. Consultantees will thoroughly understand all eight phases of EMDR and will have the opportunity to work toward being EMDR Trained and Certified. Dr. Hiestand especially focuses on the self of the therapist when providing consultation and supervision to mental health professionals. Her grounded presence creates a calm and comfortable atmosphere for professionals to learn and ask questions.


Basic Training Group Consultation: $65/hr
Basic Training Individual Consultation: $175/hr

EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Approved Consultant
San Diego Regional Co-Coordinator
Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies
Certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Professor at San Diego State University

Specializing in Health Issues, Chronic Illness, and Chronic Pain

Kathleen Phelps, LCSW (CA License LCS20058), has been providing mental health therapy for more than 20 years and clinical supervision for approximately 15 years. She specializes in using EMDR to treat complex trauma and health issues, including eating disorders and issues related to chronic illnesses and chronic pain at her busy private practice in Carlsbad, California. Ms. Phelps is the current EMDRIA San Diego Regional Co-Coordinator, and is an EMDR Certified Therapist and Approved Consultant (expected December 2019).

Ms. Phelps began treating eating disorders in 2001, which led to treating clients with multiple other health conditions, including chronic illness and chronic pain. Ms. Phelps is certified in DBT and uses that modality in conjunction with EMDR. She has completed extensive advanced training in EMDR therapy and related trauma based intervention protocols for the treatment of eating disorders, chronic illness, chronic pain, and other mental health conditions. For example, she recently completed the Certificate Program in Traumatic Stress Studies through leading trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk.

Ms. Phelps has also been teaching undergraduate and graduate students since 2006 and is currently a professor at the School of Social Work at San Diego State University, where she teaches future clinicians how to be competent therapists. Ms. Phelps’ many years of teaching, EMDR consultation, clinical supervision and speaking at training events make her a very knowledgeable and patient EMDR consultant.

Basic Training Group Consultation: $60/hr
Basic Training Individual Consultation: $100/hr

EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Approved Consultant
Certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C)
Past-President of the Postpartum Health Alliance Board
Adjunct Professor at University of Phoenix
Trainer Nationwide on EMDR and Maternal Mental Health

Specializing in Perinatal Mental Health, Birth / Reproductive Trauma and Loss

Bethany (Beth) Warren, LCSW (CA License LCS22623) has a passion for women’s reproductive and mental health issues and has worked in this field for around 20 years. She has a private practice where she specializes in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, working with women experiencing pregnancy loss, infertility, birth trauma or facing adoption or surrogacy. She also focuses on women's trauma across the lifespan, particularly finding attachment and developmental work to be particularly rewarding as secure attachment remains so foundational to mental wellness.

Ms. Warren has served for years as President of the Postpartum Health Alliance Board, as well as several other positions. She has earned her Certification in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C). She is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Approved Consultant.

Ms. Warren provides trainings to many organizations around the country to discuss EMDR, trauma, and maternal mental health issues. Additionally, Ms. Warren is an adjunct professor at a local university and provides clinical supervision for clinicians working towards their licenses as teaching others in the same field is a passion of hers.

Ms. Warren is frequently featured as a maternal mental health and trauma subject matter expert on podcasts such as: Mom on Mind, Newbies Podcast, and Healing Developmental Trauma. She is finishing her work on a book aimed at new mothers, utilizing her decades of work in the maternal mental health field.

Basic Training Group Consultation: $60/hr
Basic Training Individual Consultation: $100/hr

EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Consultant-In-Training
Certified Transgender Care Therapist
Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies
Completed EMDR Adult Complex Trauma & Dissociation Specialist Intensive Program
Diplomate of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress

Specializing in Transgender & Non-Binary Issues

Colette Lord, PhD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (CA License 21497) in private practice in Del Mar, CA. She is a member of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.  She is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and a Consultant in Training, and has completed extensive advanced training in EMDR therapy for PTSD, attachment-focused work, and Dissociative Disorders. She has completed the Certificate Program in Traumatic Stress Studies with Bessel van der Kolk, the leading expert in trauma.

Dr. Lord is a member of the World Professional Association on Transgender Health.  She has completed an intensive Certificate Program on working with transgender and non-binary individuals and has sought on-going training to hone her skills in working with the range of gender identities and associated struggles.

Dr. Lord has spent much of her professional career working in community mental health. There she honed her skills and her love of working with individuals with complex, difficult situations and diagnoses. She continues to maintain these skills in private practice by taking Medi-Cal insurance.

Basic Training Group Consultation: $60/hr
Basic Training Individual Consultation: $175/hr