About Daphne Fatter

Daphne Fatter (she/her) is a licensed psychologist, clinical trainer, author, and international speaker. She is certified in IFS, EMDR, and as an ancestral healing practitioner under Dr. Daniel Foor’s Ancestral Medicine model. She is also a Certified IFS Clinical Consultant and an EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)-Approved Consultant-In-Training.

Dr. Fatter received a Master of Arts in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University. She was then awarded a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Pennsylvania State University before completing a postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Psychology at The Trauma Center under the direct supervision of Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, MD. Her varied clinical experience and mastery of multiple trauma processing models allow her to approach both clients and fellow therapists innovatively, meeting them exactly where they are.

Other accolades include her work as a:

  • Therapist in private practice since 2016

  • Former Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator for the Fort Worth Veteran Affairs Outpatient Clinic

  • Webinar instructor offering continuing education in trauma treatment for mental health providers in the United States and Canada

  • CE provider at Southern Methodist University Counseling Center, The Texas Psychological Association, The Dallas Psychological Association, The Collin County Psychological Association, and EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)

  • Program assistant and training support for the IFS Institute, Education for Racial Equity, and Ancestral Medicine organizations

Meet Daphne Fatter, PhD

As a licensed psychologist, seasoned therapist, and clinical consultant, I approach my work with curiosity and humility. I learn something from just about every person I work with, whether they’re a world-renowned instructor or client coming to me for healing and support. I believe my job as a therapist—and teacher—is to reorient the people with whom I work so they can access their innermost wisdom and resilience to move forward in their lives. 

STARR™: SELF TAPPING FOR ATTACHMENT READINESS & REPAIR

I created STARR™: SELF TAPPING FOR ATTACHMENT READINESS & REPAIR which is a multi-sensory method to use slow self-tapping for internal relational connection between one's Self and their internal parts. I have presented this at the IFS Institute 2023 International Conference and have also introduced it in my book chapter published in 2023: “IFS and EMDR: Transforming Traumatic Memories and Providing Relational Repair with Self.” In Riemersma, J. (Ed.), Altogether Us: Integrating the IFS Model with Key Modalities, Communities, and Trends. Pivotal Press.

Continuing education workshops, services and trainings in which I teach STARR™: SELF TAPPING FOR ATTACHMENT READINESS & REPAIR include:

3 CE Hours: 

Honoring Clients Where They Are: The Innovative Integration of IFS and EMDR

6 CE Hours:

EMDR & Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy: Integration Techniques to Resolve Inner Conflicts for Enhanced Trauma Processing

My History As A Trauma-Informed Clinician

Decades ago, I discovered mindfulness, Buddhist meditation, and other elements of my spiritual journey that eventually culminated in a profession as a therapist.

As I began teaching mindfulness in the early 2000s, I noticed that many clients had traumatic memories surface when practicing meditation. With this in mind, I began to pursue a clinical focus in trauma, receiving a Master of Arts in Transpersonal Counseling and eventually a PhD in Counseling Psychology. I even had the honor of completing my postdoctoral fellowship under the direct supervision of Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, the psychiatrist and best-selling author of The Body Keeps The Score, among other notable titles.

My Clinical Focus & Approach

I continue to expand my knowledge of best practices in the field and consider myself a dedicated lifelong learner. My specialties include:

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

  • Ancestral Lineage Healing

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • IFS consultation

  • EMDR consultation

  • Trauma-specific issues

  • Anti-racist cultural competence and sensitivity

That said, I still work with individual therapy clients on a case-by-case basis, especially those looking to access their ancestral guides, heal reproductive and/or sexual trauma, and explore cultural identities. My clinical style is professional as well as being relatable, empathetic, and transparent.

I use both evidence-based methods and also integrate a holistic lens that honors the culture of each client. I believe that we are impacted by many forces beyond our control, including systemic factors and our ancestors who came before us, which can completely transform our internal selves when brought into intentional consciousness. By healing internal components, we can then begin to heal ancestral and collective traumas.

How Can I Help You Or Your Practice Thrive?

Whether I am working with clients in individual counseling or fellow clinicians in training, I aim to be an open, affirming professional that honors each person’s individual experiences, identity, abilities, and goals. To find out more, contact me

Published Works

Fatter, D. M. (2023). " IFS and EMDR: Transforming Traumatic Memories and Providing Relational Repair with Self.” In Riemersma, J. (Ed.), Altogether Us: Integrating the IFS Model with Key Modalities, Communities, and Trends. Pivotal Press.

Fatter, D. M. (2023). "Ancestral lineage healing: Restoring Belonging and Reconnection with Ancestral Wisdom and Collective Self-Energy." In Riemersma, J. (Ed.), Altogether Us: Integrating the IFS Model with Key Modalities, Communities, and Trends. Pivotol Press.

Fatter, D. M. (2021). Interview on "How Ancestral Medicine informs IFS Legacy Burdens work - with Daphne Fatter". IFS Talks podcast. June 2021.

Fatter, D. M. (2021). Interview with Tammy Sollenberger. IFS and Inviting Curiosity with Racist Parts with Daphne Fatter. The One Inside: An Internal Family Systems podcast. February 19, 2021.

Zhuang, X., Fatter, D. M. & Grossenbacher, P. G. (2016). Exploring the lived experience of meditation instructors through transpsersonal lens. Kaklauskas, F., Hoffman, L., Clements, C. & Hocoy, D. (Eds.) Shadows and Light: Philosophy, Practice, and Pedagogy of Contemporary Transpersonal Counseling. University Professors’ Press.

Fatter, D. M. & Hayes, J. A. (2013). What facilitates countertransference management? The roles of therapist meditation, mindfulness, and self-differentiation. Psychotherapy Research, 23(5), 502-13.

Davis, D. M.  & Hayes, J. A. (2012). What are the benefits of mindfulness? Continuing Education, APA Monitor, July-August issue.

Davis, D. M. & Hayes, J. A. (2011). What are the benefits of mindfulness? A practice review of psychotherapy-related research. Psychotherapy, 48(2), 198-208.

Davis, D. M. (2010). Mindfulness and supervision: What psychotherapists need to know. Psychotherapy Bulletin, 45(1), 9-17.

Presentations

*Note these listed presentations do not include on-going live and on-demand webinars that I present on a rotating basis. You can read more about my trainings here .

 

Fatter, D. (2023). "Navigating Racist Comments in Therapy". Presented as part of PESI's Summit of "Beyond Cultural Competency Summit: Leading the Way Towards More Inclusive and Empowering Therapy," hosted online, Feb, 2023.

Fatter, D. 
(2022). "Befriending white parts that get activated about Race & Racism." Presented to the Rocky Mountain IFS Community, hosted online, May, 2022.
 
Fatter, D. (2022). “White Race Socialization & Equity in Treatment:
Considerations Addressing Racial Traumas among BIPOC Clients.” Presented to the Mountain Child Advocacy Center, Asheville, North Carolina, hosted online, May 2022.
 
Fatter, D. (2022) "Integrating Traumatic Memories: Conceptualization and Clinical Considerations in Evidence-based Approaches to Trauma Processing.” Presented to The Family Service Society, Inc., Corning, New York, hosted online, May 2022.

Fatter, D. (2022). "Using Internal Family Systems for Therapist Self-Care." Presented for Good Therapy, Hosted online, April 2022.
 
Fatter, D. (2022). "Examining White Supremacy Culture and White Race Socialization" Presented to the Southern Methodist University Counseling Center, Hosted online, March 2022. 

Fatter, D. (2022). "Using Internal Family Systems Therapy in Trauma Treatment." Presented for Good Therapy, Hosted online, March 2022.

Fatter, D. (2021). "White Race Socialization" Presented to the Diversity, Community & Culture Special Interest Group, EMDRIA, Hosted online, July, 2021.

Fatter, D. (2021). "Examining White Supremacy Culture and White Race Socialization as an Ethical Imperative." Presented for the Dallas Psychological Association for the Annual Diversity and Ethics Workshop, Hosted online, December 10, 2021.

Fatter, D. & Love, V., (2021). “IFS & Working with Ancestral Guides to repair legacy
burdens related to racism, oppression, attachment, belonging and intergenerational trauma.” Presented for the International 2021 Annual Internal Family Systems Conference: Restoring Wholeness through Collective Transformation, hosted online, October 2021.

Foor, D., Willis, S. & Fatter, D. (2021). “Ancestral Lineage Healing” 6-week experiential
group series and international professional development for IFS therapists hosted online from Portugal, September – October 2021.

Love, V., & Fatter, D. (2021). "Ancestral and Trauma-Informed Skills for Healing Legacies of Anti-Black Racism." Presented for the Ancestral Medicine Practitioner Network, hosted online, April 2021.

Fatter, D. (2021). "White Privilege and White Therapists: Race socialization, Whiteness, and Treatment Considerations Surrounding Racial Traumas among Clients of Color." Presented for Pat's Place Child Advocacy Center's CHAT Collaborative, Charlotte, North Carolina, hosted online, March 2021.

Fatter, D. (2020). "A Self-Inquiry on Race Socialization and Internalized Whiteness for White Therapists" Presented online for the Texas Psychological Association Conference, hosted online, November 2020.

Fatter, D.
 (2016). “Utilizing Phase-Oriented Treatment & Adjunctive Interventions to Regulate Arousal in Trauma Treatment” Presented at the Collin County Psychological Association, Allen, TX. 
 
Fatter, D. (2014). “Military Sexual Trauma”. Presented at the Texas Association Against Sexual  Assault Conference, Dallas, TX. 
 
Grossenbacher, P. G., Gravesz, K. A., Davis, D. (2012). “Cultivating Concord through Inter- Viewing: A New Method for Inter-Lineage Contact”. Presented at the International Association of Buddhist Universities Conference, Ayutthaya, Thailand. 
 
Davis, D.  (2011). “Regulating Your Arousal by Breathing: Training in Heart Rate Variability,”  Presented as part of the Professional Development Series on Complex Trauma, Trauma Center, Brookline, MA. 
 
Davis, D., Bingham, J., Marks, M. & Daly, K. (2011). “Bridging the Gap: A Needs Assessment  of UT Student Veterans and Student Affairs Services.” Presented to the Vice Chancellor and the Department of Student Affairs, Professional Development Series, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.  
 
Diyankova, I., Daly, K. & Davis, D.  (2011). “Introducing stress and wellness clinic to increase  college student success and well-being.” Presented at the 2011 American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Conference, Baltimore, MD. 
 
Bingham, J., Marks, M., Bartsch, M., Briscoe, C., Davis, D., & Daly, K. (2011). iConsult:  Assessing the Needs of Student Veterans. Presented at the 2011 National Outreach Conference for Counseling Centers, Park City, UT. 
 
Hayes, J.A., & Davis, D. (2011). Therapist mindfulness, meditation experience, and  differentiation of self as predictors of countertransference management qualities.  Paper presented at the meeting of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, Bern, Switzerland. 
 
Vinca, M., Hayes, J. A. & Davis, D. (2007). “Cultivating therapist qualities known to be efficacious for clients: Is mindfulness the way?” Presented at Mid-Atlantic Regional Group Meeting of the Society for Psychotherapy Research (MASPR), New York City, NY.