The ICM Blog
Redefine Therapy

Our work and our mission is to redefine therapy and our conversations are about the art and practice of healing. This blog was launched in May 2018 by Dr. Jamie Marich, affiliates, and friends.

  Originally published on the Dancing Mindfulness Expressive Arts Therapy Blog, 5/4/2017 If you’ve followed Dancing Mindfulness and other projects connected to my Institute for Creative Mindfulness work, you’ve likely encountered the hashtag #redefinetherapy. What started as a book chapter and a hashtag is quickly turning into a movement that you

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Changing Lives Through Lived Experience

Tears filled my eyes when I took to the podium for my presentation at the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) Annual Conference on Sunday, September 14 in Anaheim, California. Six years ago, in this same city, I mounted a similar stage to give a talk where I formally came out to

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Beyond “Calm Safe Space”: A Phase II Resourcing Protocol for EMDR Therapists Working with Dissociative Systems

As EMDR therapists working with clients who have Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or complex dissociative systems, Phase II resourcing isn’t just a step—it’s the foundation. While the “calm safe place” is a staple in EMDR prep work, it often falls short for clients who live with dissociative systems shaped by

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Bring the Elders Their Ice Cream

During the last six weeks of his life on this earth, I brought my Baba all the ice cream that he wanted. One night in mid-May during an important discussion with Baba, a man I grew to see as my father over the last decade, Joey (another member of my

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Alicia, a white woman wearing a grey outfit with hair back and tattoos, is dancing during the "share your practice" closing ceremony at the Redefine Therapy Expressive Arts Retreat at The Villa Maria in 2025

We Are Held Screaming.

I couldn’t scream.  Yet, there were those inside that wished they did.  A little girl who wanted to scream  But instead was still.  Frozen with terror under a pink gingham comforter.  A teen who wanted to scream But instead was silent and good. Starved and disappearing into black coffee and

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Dropping the Institute

Starting in 2026, I will officially be dropping the “Institute” from our EMDR Therapy training company The Institute for Creative Mindfulness, at which time the name will formally change to The Creative Mindfulness Network. The new name more genuinely reflects how the EMDR component of the company has taken shape.

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Thank You… TikTok?

Several days before the stunt of TikTok going dark for 12 hours in the United States, many creators posted content in the vein of, farewell, this is where you can find me. These messages largely contained a potent message of Thank You TikTok for helping me find my voice. Although

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