Meet The Board
EMDR Canada is a non-profit association governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Our board members are dedicated EMDR practitioners and professionals who contribute their time, expertise, and passion to advance the practice of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy across Canada.
The Board of Directors provides strategic leadership and oversight to ensure EMDR Canada fulfills its mission of promoting excellence in EMDR therapy through education, research, and professional standards. Board members serve as ambassadors for our organization and work diligently to support our members and the broader EMDR community.
Below, you’ll find information about our current board members who bring diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise to guide our organization forward.
Lisa Schlosser
President
Lisa is a Registered Psychologist, licensed in both Alberta and British Columbia, who has served on the EMDR Canada Board of Directors since December 2022 before assuming the role of President.
With over a decade of experience practicing EMDR therapy, she brings extensive clinical expertise and a genuine passion for advancing this transformative treatment modality across Canada. As Clinical Director and owner of a specialized EMDR therapy clinic in Northern Alberta, she has witnessed firsthand the profound healing impact this approach offers to clients navigating trauma and complex mental health challenges.
Lisa is committed to expanding access to quality EMDR knowledge while advocating for its recognition within broader healthcare systems. As a neurodivergent professional on the autism spectrum, she brings a unique perspective to her leadership role and champions inclusive approaches within the EMDR community. She is a passionate advocate for neurodiversity acceptance and awareness, working to create more understanding and accommodating environments for neurodivergent individuals in both professional and therapeutic settings.
When not advancing the mission of EMDR Canada, she can be found exploring the natural beauty of Alberta with her family. At home, her Biewer Terrier holds the unofficial, but undisputed, position of household manager.
Demica Pusch
Treasurer
Demica is a Registered Provisional Psychologist in Alberta with a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology. She takes a trauma-informed approach to her clinical work and has supported individuals facing a wide range of challenges, including intimate partner violence, trauma, mental health, housing instability, substance use, and grief.
EMDR therapy has become a central component of her practice, integrated with other evidence-based approaches to help clients process difficult experiences and build emotional resilience. She values EMDR for its ability to create meaningful change in clients’ lives.
Demica currently serves on the Board of Directors for EMDR Canada, where she plays an active role in promoting access, education, and community among EMDR practitioners. Her passion for advancing research in the field drives her commitment to staying informed on emerging evidence and contributing to discussions that support ethical, inclusive, and effective practices.
Outside of her professional life, Demica enjoys spending time with her family, including her dog and cat, staying active, watching her son play sports, and exploring the outdoors.
Nidia Celis
Secretary
Nidia is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta with over a decade of experience supporting individuals impacted by mental health challenges and complex trauma. Drawing from her own diverse upbringing, she brings a culturally responsive lens to her practice, tailoring therapeutic approaches to meet the unique cultural and contextual needs of each client.
Her clinical work spans a wide range of populations, including individuals living with chronic mental health conditions, substance use concerns, and youth and adults navigating adversity, poverty, discrimination, and systemic oppression. Nidia works from an integrative therapeutic framework, with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as a core modality, complemented by other evidence-based interventions. Her approach is rooted in fostering resilience, healing, and hope.
In addition to her clinical practice, Nidia is actively involved in professional leadership. She has volunteered in various roles with EMDR Canada and currently serves on the Board of Directors as Secretary, contributing to the growth and development of the EMDR Canada community.
Outside of her professional life, Nidia enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, camping in the great outdoors, and taking on fitness challenges with her teenage sons.
Joanne Lagasse
Secretary
Joanne is a Registered Clinical Social Worker licensed in both Alberta and Ontario. With extensive experience in trauma-informed care, she has worked in the Alberta Public Mental Health system for over a decade. She currently owns a private practice that is based out of Edmonton, Alberta and spends time on Little Red River Cree Nation to provide counselling services.
Joanne is passionate about using EMDR as a way to help people heal from trauma and regain control of their lives. Her populations of interest include those with intellectual disabilities, psychosis and complex trauma. She is a staunch advocate for harm reduction and suicide prevention, and is committed to fostering hope in those she serves.
As a Board Member of EMDR Canada, Joanne is dedicated to advancing EMDR practice through leadership, education, and advocacy. She is committed to fostering professional excellence, expanding access to high-quality training, and promoting the continued development of EMDR as a leading trauma treatment modality.