Independence Health System Behavioral Health Therapists Earn National Certification Through Pitt Grant to Address Growing Need for Trauma Therapy

GREENSBURG, Pa., September 25, 2025 … Independence Health System announced that two behavioral health therapists have earned national certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) — an increasingly prevalent therapy used to heal trauma — through a University of Pittsburgh grant program. Melissa Bish, MA LPC, TF-CBT, EMDR Therapist, and Marcie Stover-Jividen, LCSW and EMDR Therapist, electively applied for, pursued, and earned the certification, with the grant covering the $4,000 investment per therapist. 

Bish and Stover-Jividen are both school-based therapists helping students overcome anxiety that results from trauma caused by various types of scenarios — from witnessing substance abuse to domestic violence. EMDR is a type of therapy that enables individuals to process difficult events individually while coupling it with bilateral stimulation for healing. 

Stover-Jividen explained that trauma often involves memories that become "stuck," making it difficult for individuals to move forward. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, incorporates physical actions such as eye movement or tapping to support traditional therapy. These techniques mimic REM sleep and can help relieve symptoms of trauma, including intense emotions, somatic complaints, flashbacks and nightmares, while reducing the severity of negative feelings. “I use EMDR techniques with children, so I have to be a little more creative,” Stover-Jividen said. “Sometimes I use drumsticks, bouncy balls, bells, or other toys that stimulate both sides of the body for bilateral engagement. Art is also a powerful tool to help the brain process trauma and support healing.”

According to the EMDR Institute, some studies show that 84% to 90% of single-trauma victims no longer have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after only three 90-minute sessions. Another study, funded by the HMO Kaiser Permanente, found that 100% of the single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple-trauma victims were no longer diagnosed with PTSD following six 50-minute sessions. 

“Since COVID-19 entered our lives, we’ve seen a significant increase in students suffering from trauma from tense situations, and EMDR is becoming more prevalent to address this,” said Bish. “EMDR involves taking a negative core belief, as a result of an experience, and attaching a positive core belief to it with bilateral stimulation. By following a multi-phase method, it clears the brain. It helps students reduce their anxiety and instead focus on school. There are not a lot of clinicians who specialize in it, especially with a national certification, so we are proud to bring this expertise to Independence Health System to help support our community schools.” 

To learn more about Independence Health System’s Behavior Health programs, visit www.independence.health.

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Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 7,000 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than 10 counties. 

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health