About Tony

Personal greeting: Greetings. I started  Seiyu Institute for Health & Training, L3C to create a variety of ways for helping you find and experience joy despite the pain which naturally exists in our world. Our mind and bodies are whole, and we can experience that easier if we focus our intention on taking action toward meaningful living, with sincerity. My hope for this practice is to help people discover tools for doing so with as few barriers as possible, and to assist other therapists and helpers in facilitating this.

The approaches that I take as a psychotherapist, coach, and consultant are influenced by a lifetime of connection to nature, socioeconomic and multicultural issues, punk music and culture, artistic expression, military/first response culture, CAM & Integrative Medicine, and spirituality. I am a military veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, former ESL teacher, a college professor, member of a bi-cultural/bi-lingual family, and promoter of a Whole Person approach to wellness. I am also the originator of Therapeutic Fly Fishing & EMDR (TF-EMDR)℠ and creator of The Seiyu-Zuri Method of TF-EMDR. I believe that fitness of mind, body, and spirit equally important to a person's health and success.

I am familiar with the ups and downs of the human experience, and know so well how difficult it can be to stay focused and afloat in a chaotic world. However, in the center of all of this we have an opportunity to connect with desire and find our truest selves. When we see that self with sincerity and understanding, we are capable of handling and accomplishing so much. It is why the human race has existed for so long! Working together, we can harness this truth for you to thrive in your experience.

Bio for official purposes: Tony is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and an experienced mental health counselor. After an honorable discharge from the USAF in 2007, he began his mental health career as a volunteer crisis counselor while working as an ESL teacher in Tokyo, Japan. Tony holds a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science, a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a minor in Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling, and various certifications in the mental health field.

Tony specializes in treating complex and attachment trauma in adults, with a focus on religious trauma and addiction. He is also a Certified EMDR Therapist, Approved EMDR Consultant, and EMDRIA Approved Credit Provider. Tony has taught at several universities and is the owner and clinical director of the Seiyu Institute for Health & Training.

He integrates various therapeutic approaches into his practice, including Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, ego state therapy, mindfulness, somatic/energy work, nervous system regulation, and adventure-based counseling theory. Tony is known for pioneering nature-based trauma therapy, combining EMDR with fly-fishing, and offers a Continuing Education course in Therapeutic Fly-fishing with EMDR (TF-EMDR)℠. He also volunteers, consults, and facilitates resiliency retreats for first responders, military, and healthcare professionals.

Tony is licensed to practice as a counselor in Iowa, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, and California.

University Credentials

• Antioch University New England, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Substance Abuse & Addiction Counseling

• University of Maryland Baltimore County, Professional Certificate in Critical Incident Stress Management

• Bellevue University, Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science

• Community College of the Air Force, Associate of Applied Science in Information Management

EMDR qualifications at-a-glance

• EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist and Approved Consultant

• Published work - Parmenter, A. (2022). Treating combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder using therapeutic fly-fishing with EMDR (TF-EMDR). Journal of Military and Veterans Health, 30(1), 23–32. https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.389050772307534

• EMDRIA Approved Credit Provider #21015, 2021-present

• Approved Continuing Education provider, Vermont Office of Professional Regulation for Allied Mental Health Professionals & Clinical Social Workers

• EMDR Basic Training Facilitator-in-Training - Trauma Recovery/EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs, mentored by Dorinna Ruh, LCSW, 2023 - 2024

• EMDR Consultant & Training staff - EMDR & Beyond, West Des Moines, IA, 2023-2024

• EMDRIA Basic Training, EMDRIA approved (Parts 1-3, incl. Attachment-Focused EMDR) - trained by Laurel Parnell, PhD

• Consultation for EMDRIA Certification in EMDR - Aaron Koba, LMFT & Kit Dowling, LCPC

• Consultation for EMDRIA Consultant-inTraining - Kit Dowling, LCPC

• Listed on Consultant roster as Consultant-in-Training, 2020-2022 - Parnell Institute for EMDR (during Parnell Institute EMDRIA-affiliation)

• Volunteer Crisis Response Therapist with Vermont TRN - Trauma Recovery/EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs

• Ego State Therapy & EMDR - trained by Robin Shapiro, LICSW

• FLASH Technique & Advanced FLASH Technique - trained by Phil Manfield, PhD

• Internal Family Systems-informed EMDR - Bruce Hersey, LCSW

• Continuing Education coursework including: First Responder Resiliency & EMDR; EMDR & Professional Ethics; EMDR 2.0; Ego State Therapy & Dissociative Disorders; EMDR Standard Group Protocol; Buddhist Approaches to Substance Use Disorder treatment with EMDR - MET(T)A Protocol; Somatic and Attachment-Focused EMDR (SAFE EMDR) for Chronic Pain.

• Member: EMDR International Association, Western NY Trauma Collaborative, Western Massachusetts EMDR Network

Professional Social Media

• Linkedin

• ResearchGate

• Instagram

Professional Licenses and Certifications

• Iowa: LMHC

• Vermont: LCMHC, LADC

• Maine: LCPC

• New York: LMHC

• New Hampshire: LCMHC

• Massachusetts: CADC-II

• New Hampshire: LCMHC 

• California: LAADC

• International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium: ICAADC

• Seiyu Institute: TF-EMDR Therapist; Senior TF-EMDR Instructor

• EMDR International Association (EMDRIA): EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist

• EMDR International Association (EMDRIA): Approved EMDR Consultant

• Parnell Institute for EMDR: EMDR & AF-EMDR Basic Training (EMDRIA-Accredited)

• Unyte/ILS - Safe & Sound Protocol Trained & Certified, Remote SSP Trained & Certified, Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) Provider

• HeartMath Institute: Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath Certified Practitioner

• Skylight Psychedelics: Ketamine Assisted Therapy Training

• Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master Practitioner

Professional Memberships

• EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)

• Vermont Outdoor Guide Association (VOGA)

• American Counseling Association (ACA)

• Psychedelic Society of Vermont (PSoVT)

• Climate Psychology Alliance - North America

• Fire Service Psychological Association

• International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF)

• Japan Society

Appointments in Higher Education

• Bellevue University, Adjunct Faculty, 2014-present

• New York University, Guest Lecturer, 2023

• Purdue University, Adjunct Faculty, 2019

• Union Institute & University, Guest Lecturer, 2014-2018

• Grand Canyon University, Adjunct Faculty, 2012-2013

• Antioch University New England, Graduate Assistant, 2010-2012

Public Service

• U.S. Department of Defense, Vermont ESGR, Basic Volunteer & Military Outreach Director, 2020-2021

• State Government of Vermont, DAIL/DVR, EAP Specialist, 2015-2021

• AmeriCorps: Students in Service, 2010 - 2012

• U.S. Department of Defense, United States Air Force, Enlisted, 2001-2007

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Integrative EMDR Intensives

Deep healing for trauma, now.

What are intensives?

When we say "intensive", we either mean "longer sessions" or a number of sessions in close frequency.

Intensives work better, in part by giving you more time to heal rather than spending valuable time checking in and closing the session every 45-50 minutes (the traditional/standard model of psychotherapy). Additionally, a growing body of research supports intensive psychotherapy, with evidence-based practices, as an effective way to treat and heal wounds caused by Complex & Developmental Trauma.

Most people seeking therapy have suffered from their wounds for a very long time - sometimes their entire lives. With that in mind, we developed an approach that helps to heal your trauma sooner so that you can live life as it happens, rather than waiting for it to happen, connecting most to what gives you meaning and joy.

Intensive formats

Available mobile, online, in office, and in nature

Half day: one three-hour block on a single day (insurance-based work may involve a shorter duration due to billing limitations).

Whole day: two three-hour blocks in one day, with a two-hour break

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MARS

Medicine-free Altered-state Recovery Système was created by Tony Parmenter to meet the need for people suffering from the effects of current life and generational ("past life") trauma with a journeying and processing experience which does not require the use of substances. This innovative therapy program merges the principles of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)/Buddhism, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), and past life regression into a concise, medication-free alternative to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy aimed at deep psychological healing and freedom. Structured in a shortened intensive model, with only a total of six clinical hours, it offers a transformative experience conducive to significant emotional and mental breakthroughs without the use of psychedelics.

The program begins by grounding participants in specific guided meditation and mindfulness practices, establishing a base of present-moment awareness and safety to explore and develop a question or intention for the journey. This foundation supports the integration of past life regression therapy and EMDR processing, offering a unique opportunity to explore and resolve deep-seated issues, potentially stemming from pain passed down to us from "past lives" and from our ancestors.

Designed for those seeking rapid yet profound psychological improvements, this unique therapy modality combines historical wisdom with modern therapeutic practices in an efficient and impactful manner, emphasizing growth, healing, and self-discovery within a non-pharmacological framework.

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Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy sessions are two to three hours in length, or integrated into a trauma intensive.

Seiyu Institute partners with the physicians and experts of Skylight Psychedelics to provide Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) for appropriate clients. KAP is a relatively new form of treatment for managing symptoms of trauma, depression, anxiety, and other issues which has gained popularity in recent years. It involves the use of the anesthetic drug ketamine, which is taken in a controlled and safe environment to allow for a brief, altered state experience. KAP through Seiyu Institute follows this with the use of integrative EMDR Therapy to further understand and process the material which you experience on your journey.

KAP is gaining popularity as a treatment for mental health disorders due to its potential to provide rapid relief from symptoms such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which can take months or even years to produce results, KAP may produce improvements in mood and emotional resilience within hours or days of treatment.

Insurance coverage issues: The only form of ketamine covered by health insurance is Spravato/Esketamine nasal spray. Because of DEA regulatory issues, we use either a form of sublingual (under the tongue) or nasal spray alternative which allows for more flexibility and lower cost. Managed insurance rates for KAP with Spravato can cost as much as $1,700 per two-three hour session, over 12 sessions, and only in specific clinics. Working with Seiyu Institute, your care will cost just a portion of that and over 6-10 sessions, with an individualized treatment plan. Some insurance coverage may be possible, and we will meet where it is most convenient for you - including nature or the comfort of your own home through virtual means. Sessions are 2.5 hours in length, and may be combined into a longer trauma therapy intensive for deeper, faster, and longer lasting results.

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Fees for clinical services

To assist with self pay, Seiyu I.H.T. participates as a Certified Care Credit Provider and recommends this for EMDR Intensives and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. CareCredit allows all people the ability to receive the highest level of care, now.

Learn more at CareCredit.com

Base private pay levels for psychotherapy

These levels are the hourly rates as based on the average cost of a Certified EMDR Therapist/Consultant in your local area.

Level A (standard rate): $336 | Level B: $295  | Level C: $250  | Level D: $198 

Individuals paying privately for hourly psychotherapy services, without seeking a receipt for insurance reimbursement, are offered rates on levels as noted above. 

Advance payment for ten sessions at once will allow for the total cost decreased by 10%.

EMDR Intensives

Full Day model: $3,636 - comprehensive, includes 90-minute intake/preparation session, full treatment day, and 90-minute follow up appointment.

Half Day model: $4,032 - comprehensive, includes 90-minute intake/preparation session, two half day sessions, and 90-minute follow up appointment.

Other costs such as travel, accommodations or daily per-diem, rent of the facilitation space if one is not already reserved, rent of outdoor equipment or permits (in the event of nature-based work), or any other costs are considered and applied to an initial quote in addition to the base costs listed above.

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

Six sessions: $5,040 total or Ten sessions: $8,000 total (discounted). The cost of your medical evaluation with Slylight Psychedelics will be subtracted from your final invoice.

Insurance reimbursement may be possible, but is not guaranteed.

*Compare this cost to hospital-based Spravato (Esketamine) treatment which require a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder and a minimum of 12 sessions, which may cost at least $15,000 to $20,000 due to federal regulations and managed insurance rates.

Payment for the first session is due upon scheduling it. Self pay clients who require a super bill for Out of Network insurance reimbursement, see below. 

Specifics for mobile therapy

Travel costs and per diem are calculated for mobile therapy sessions and mobile intensives.

Health Insurance

Insurance coverage is not guaranteed and is explored on a case by case basis. Insurance coverage is possible with:

• BCBS PPO Plans in all states licensed

• BCBS HMO plans in Iowa only

• Aetna via Headway in Iowa, New York, Vermont, & Maine 

• Cigna via Headway in Iowa, New York, Vermont, & Maine

For other insurance companies:

• Out-of-Network reimbursement: clients pay the standard fee for service rate ($336 per clinical hour) for services and receive a superbill (receipt) to submit to their insurance provider for personal reimbursement according to their own policy.

• 30-minute intake screening consultations are billed to health insurance as CPT code 90791.

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EMDR Consultation

Professional support for EMDR Therapists only

Fees for EMDRIA-approved EMDR Consultation

Areas: EMDR Certification, Consultant-in-Training, EMDR Basic Training

• Four to Eight people, group @ 90 minutes, all areas - $50 USD / person

• One person, individual @ one hour, EMDR Certification/CIT - $150 USD

• One person, individual @ 90 minutes, EMDR Certification/CIT - $215 USD

• Two people, individual @ one hour, EMDR Certification/CIT - $80 USD / person

• Three people, individual @ 90 minutes, EMDR Certification/CIT - $85 USD / person

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Missed appointment/late cancelation policy for services

Two business days are required to cancel a one-hour appointment. Two weeks are required to cancel any appointment longer than 60 minutes. All late or missed appointments, except in cases of environmental or medical emergency, are charged using the authorized billing method at the full rate of the services scheduled. Discounts may be applied at the discretion of the clinical director. For questions about this policy, please reach out.