Committee lays over bill supporting Veteran Resilience Project’s EMDR therapy network

House File 1514, presented by Representative Clardy, would continue legislative support for the Veteran Resilience Project (VRP), a nonprofit network providing trauma‑focused therapy (primarily EMDR) to veterans, service members and spouses. VRP leaders told the committee sustained state funding is needed to maintain positions and the therapy network.

Major Jhana (Jona) Phillips, executive director of VRP, told the committee VRP has provided over 1,000 EMDR sessions this year, trained a statewide network of more than 60 EMDR therapists, and reported outcome measures showing reductions in PTSD, depression and anxiety among clients. Phillips said 100% of their clients experienced a reduction in PTSD symptoms and reported 57% reductions in both depression and anxiety in pre/post assessments; she said VRP’s care coordinator helps start clients in therapy within two to four weeks after paperwork is complete.

John Thompson, a licensed professional counselor and EMDR therapist who works with VRP, said access is the most critical issue and that VA and private provider wait times can be long. He described VRP’s referral and matching process as “very quick and seamless” and recommended continued investment to maintain access.

Committee members asked about program funding sources and comparisons with existing VA services. Phillips noted VRP receives other grants and private fundraising in addition to state support and emphasized that EMDR is recommended by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as an evidence‑based therapy but is not always accessible through VA clinics in a timely manner.

The committee laid House File 1514 over for possible inclusion; no final appropriation was adopted at the hearing.