Understanding EMDR

Guest Justyn Backhouse - former police officer, author of Hidden Scars: From Crime Scenes to Crisis, The Price of Service

In this episode of Understanding EMDR, Jenny Dwyer speaks with Justyn Backhouse about the achievements of his 25-year policing career, the hidden toll of repeated trauma, and the journey from denial to recovery. Justyn shares how his secure and loving childhood led him into policing, where he found adventure and opportunities; but also traumatic events, cumulative stress, and eventually PTSD.

They discuss the culture of policing, the stigma around mental health, and why early intervention matters. Justyn explains how EMDR became a turning point in his recovery, helping him process years of unprocessed experiences and reduce the intensity of traumatic memories. The conversation also highlights the importance of family support, trusted colleagues, and honest conversations about mental health.

If you’re an EMDR therapist and interested in knowing more about how you can support police officers and other first responders, listen in to the next episode. I’ll be joined by Krystal Hawkins, a mental health social worker and EMDR consultant who has worked for many years with police in NSW, supporting them through their journey of recovery with EMDR.

Key themes in this episode

• Cumulative trauma and delayed recognition of PTSD in police
• Shame, stigma, and silence as barriers to healing
• The role of EMDR in processing disturbing memories
• Early intervention
• Family, support networks, and rebuilding life after trauma

Resources

To learn more about Justyn and to follow him on social media, visit his website

In the final episode of our Healing versus Justice series, we hear directly from Dr Katie Bird. It was Katie's case, first reported by the ABC, that exposed a serious problem in the Australian legal system: victim-survivors who had received EMDR therapy were being denied justice because of misconceptions about the therapy.

Katie shares her journey through the trauma of abuse, her healing with EMDR, and her advocacy to change the law. Although her own case has concluded, her work is helping other victim-survivors come forward and challenging the outdated assumptions about EMDR that continue to influence legal decisions.

Katie also makes a compelling case that people should never have to choose between healing and preserving their legal rights. Rather than limiting access to effective therapy, she argues that the responsibility for change lies with the legal system.

If you haven't listened to the first three episodes in this series (Episodes 3, 4 and 5), they provide important background on the legal issues, how EMDR has been viewed in Australian courts, and practical guidance for EMDR therapists working with clients who may be involved in legal proceedings.

Related articles and media

The original ABC article that featured Katie's case:

Inspired by the advocacy of Dr Katie Bird, who was denied access to justice after she had EMDR therapy, this 3-part series has explored a critical question - can EMDR therapists support their clients in healing without jeopardising their future access to justice?

In this episode, Dr Jenny Dwyer reflects on the nature of trauma, the likelihood of delayed and partial disclosure, and the circumstances that make it possible, even likely, that the legal system and EMDR may intersect for many clients.

Drawing on current discourse in the EMDR community, legal context and emerging consensus, she provides some much needed guidance for therapists. While acknowledging the real difficulties in this area, she cautions against therapists becoming unnecessarily intimidated by the legal system; and outlines a set of 'Principles for Practice' that can inform therapy and guide reflection.

Resources

This podcast is proudly sponsored by EMDR Academy Australia

This is the second episode in our series exploring the intersection of EMDR with the Justice system. It follows a decision by the Commonwealth DPP to discontinue a case of sexual assault because the complainant had EMDR before making her report to police.

In this episode Anthony Hurst, Chair of EMDRAA, explores the way EMDR has been understood, and sometimes misunderstood in Australian courts. Beginning in the early 1990's, where EMDR was conflated with hypnosis, he leads us through cases where EMDR was an issue, and courts considered admissibility and reliability of evidence.

Anthony highlights the difference over time between states, statutes and case law, and offers his own views on what this means for EMDR therapists. He shares his current ideas about how EMDR therapists can protect our client's interests and highlights some considerations for clinical practice.

Sponsors

Understanding EMDR is proudly sponsored by EMDR Academy Australia.

EMDR Academy partners with like-minded individuals and organisations to provide innovative programs, high quality training, and support for new and experienced EMDR therapists.

This is the first of 3 episodes where we explore the intersection of EMDR with the Justice system. It follows a decision by the Commonwealth DPP to discontinue a case of sexual assault because the complainant, Dr Katie Bird, had EMDR before making her report to police. This obviously raised many issues for EMDR therapists, but most importantly, for victims/survivors.

Following publicity about the case, many EMDR therapists were concerned their clients would have to choose between Healing and Justice. Some organisations were pausing EMDR therapy if clients might make a future statement to police. We wanted to understand how the legal system makes decisions about cases like Katie's; and how EMDR therapists could help our clients heal, without risking their right to justice.

In this episode Jenny gives a brief over view of Katie's case and important concepts of "admissibility" and "reliability" of evidence in courts. Then she is joined by Harriet Murphy, a lawyer, who walks us through the Australian legal system – a user friendly overview – what happens when someone reports an alleged crime? Who makes decisions about whether the matter will be investigated, or prosecuted? What happens if it gets to court?

The links below contain resources and information relating to this case, and themes discussed in this episode:

The original ABC report about Dr Katie Bird's case:

In this episode, Rolf Carriere shares his journey as a development economist who spent decades leading large-scale health and nutrition programs with UNICEF; to his remarkable discovery of EMDR, as he searched for scalable trauma interventions. We explore how he applied the lessons he learned in the Child Survival Revolution, to ways EMDR could help address the needs of the estimated 500 million people affected by trauma. In this insightful and thought provoking conversation, Rolf shares his vision for how task shifting and simplified trauma care can help address the global mental health crisis, especially in resource-limited settings.

Rolf Carriere has led a distinguished career.

He studied philosophy in the 1960s and has had a lifelong interest in spirituality. From 1971 till 2005, he worked in the UN system, mostly with UNICEF and the World Bank, in health and nutrition programs, including more than 10 years in India. Rolf's main interest has been in the design and the scaling up of programs in malnutrition control, selective primary health care, maternal mortality, elimination of child labour, trauma recovery and educational reform.

In the mid 1970s, Rolf co-founded the International Council on the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders to eliminate goiter and cretinism worldwide.

Following his last UNICEF positions as country director in Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Indonesia, he established the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition in Geneva and served as its first executive director.

Now in retirement, since 2005, he's been advising on a pro bono basis, civil society organisations like Nonviolent Peace Force and EMDR's humanitarian assistance program, now Trauma Aid.

And in 2017 he founded the Global Initiative for Stress and Trauma Treatment (GIST-T) to promote the scaling up of simplified trauma treatment, carried out by trained and supervised paraprofessional workers in what he describes as 'task shifting'

Resources

Join Jenny Dwyer in conversation with Ana Gomez, world renown EMDR therapist, author and pioneer in working with children. In this thoughtful discussion, Ana reflects on her personal and professional journey, revealing unique insights into EMDR's evolution and her own development as a therapist.

As she describes her childhood curiosity about the meaning of life, her years exploring the body through choreography and dance, and her discovery of EMDR and trauma therapy, Ana reveals the profound influences on her current work.

And if she could choose her therapeutic legacy? Hear her passionate reflection on the role of implicit reprocessing in EMDR therapy.

If you want to learn more from Ana:

She is providing a series of online workshops with EMDR Academy Australia for the Australasian regional time zone.

In this Episode Tracy shares the news that she will be handing over Understanding EMDR to Jenny Dwyer from EMDR Academy.

Jen and Tracy share memories, learnings and visions - Past and Future prongs!

Mish [They/Them] is a multi-identity (neurodivergent, non-binary, queer, a plural system, BIPOC, polyamorous and disabled) accredited mental health social worker of colour passionate about supporting humans to address trauma and live authentically in joy and community. In this episode, Mish and I yarn about Anti - Colonial and Identity Affirming EMDR Practice. You can connect with Mish here:

Join Tracy and Mark as they talk about Marks Journey from Standard Protocol to Attachment Informed EMDR - we talk about differences and similarities and the heart and soul of AI - EMDR.

Dagmar Marek is a Family Therapist at heart, working primarily with individuals through the lens of EMDR and systems theory. She is an EMDR Consultant and Clinical Supervisor with extensive experience in mental health and addiction. With a specialized focus on trauma, Dagmar is passionate about the transformative power of EMDR. As a consultant, she supports clinicians not only in refining their EMDR skills but also in enhancing their overall effectiveness, confidence, and growth as practitioners.

Website:

Join us as we talk all things EMDR and young people. Marie is an experienced Accredited Mental Health Social worker and Relationship Educator, with extensive experience working with Young people and their families. Learn more about Marie and her resources here:

For more Information on RT see

Catherine Hynes is a clinical psychologist and EMDRAA consultant with a PhD in clinical psychology and neuropsychology from the University of Queensland. She is originally from Canada, and has been in Brisbane, Australia for most of the last 20 years. Through her business, Wellbeing Wisdom, she offers therapy to adults with complex trauma in private practice, consultation and mentoring to psychologists, and training workshops for mental health practitioners on trauma, dissociation, EMDR, self care and wellbeing more generally.

Ella Shannon Morter is an EMDR Consultant, Internal Family Systems Therapist and Clinical Sexologist in Private Practice in Cairns, Far North Queensland. Ella works with couples and individuals, supporting them to have fulfilling relationships and sex lives, and to overcome the past so that they can move through life with a sense of lightness and ease.

Join Tracy and Dr. Suzy Matthijssen as we discuss Suzy's incredible work and research. Suzy is also a pre-conference workshop Presenter and keynote speaker at this year's EMDRA conference.

Suzy Matthijssen, Ph. D., is a clinical psychologist-psychotherapist, senior researcher, cognitive behavioral therapist and consultant, psychotraumatherapist NtVP, NRGD registered pro-justice reporter, EFT therapist, and EMDR consultant. She also lectures at post-doctorate psychology specialisation programs. Her research focuses on optimising trauma treatments.

Join Tracy and Jenny in the last episode of our series as we connect around the Accreditation requirements of Body Scan, Closure and Evaluation.

Series :- The Standard EMDR Protocol Through an Accreditation Lense.

Part 3 Tracy Lynch and Jenny Dwyer - In todays Episode we yarn about Phase 3 Assesment. The Essential Sequence.

Image NC PC VOC Emotion SUDs Location And why it's important to begin this phase in Phase 1! Therapy Goal, History and Case Conceptualization

EMDR Facebook group - EMDR Practitioner’s Group Australia and New Zealand

Videos of new forms - EMDR Trainer & Consultant • Caroline Burrows • Australia

Jenny is an EMDRA Accredited Trainer and Consultant EMDR Training Australia — Jenny Dwyer Associates.

Part 4 Preparation - Join Tracy as she connects with Jenny Dwyer on Phase 2 EMDR Preparation.

In the preparation phase, the therapist prepares the client for the journey ahead based on Phase 1 History, they explain the EMDR therapy process, terms, and sets expectations. Internal Resources are awakened and the mechanics of EMDR prepared. Any client concerns and questions are addressed and a safe therapeutic alliance between therapist and client is continued. The therapist and client collaborate to prepare specific techniques to enable the client to hold dual awareness.

Jenny can be reached here Home - EMDR Academy

Jenny Dwyer is a Social Worker, EMDR Trainer and Consultant
In Part 1 Jenny and I begin to unpack the EMDR Training and Accreditation Pathway. We start by discussion about EMDR Basic Training.

EMDR for children and young people in trauma with Arianne Struik

It was so great to catch up with Arianne Struik from the Institute for chronically traumatised children and hear about her FIFO EMDR work along with her Sleeping Dogs Training. If you are a Therapist who works with children and young people this episode is not to be missed!

Join me as I yarn with Sue Jakes Clinical Psychologist and Nature based Therapist / Equine Therapist.

We connect on the healing power of nature and the wisdom of horses.

Nature Based Therapies Australia

Cognitive interweaves are used when: (a) processing is stopped; (b) you are running out of time; and (c) when the client is experiencing intense emotional processing.

Interweaves can make the difference between success and failure when treating blocking or looping,.Tracy summarises some of the magic of Interweaves. For further information Deborah Korn -An EMDR Therapy primer.

In this episode Larissa and I connect around her reflections of the European conference "Pathways to Peace with EMDR"

Join us as we hear some of Larissa's takeaways on the latest Research and developments in our International EMDR community.

Tracy shares some reflections on her EMDR Intensive work.

Jump in and listen along to some reflections and answers to questions about EMDR Intensive work raised during and after the EMDR Intensive Panel presentation at Conference. Tracy also shares ways to connect with her fellow Panel presenters and her Intensive Focused Consultation groups.

You can join Tracy's Intensive Focused Consultation groups by booking via this link https://tracylynch.as.me/EMDRIntensivesGroupConsultation

Panel Contacts:

After loss, Critical Incidents, Natural disasters our Nervous System is in overdrive leaving little room for logic reason and calm

Last week the events in Bondi, NSW have left a community in grief, fear and shock.

Pam Brown from the TRN Trauma Recovery Network teaches us a quick accessible useful tool to help regulate and bring stress down.

This is not EMDR so can be used by lay people in a safe and effective way.

On today’s episode we yarn together with Anna Clarke. Anna helps us to better understand Neurodiversity affirming practice and shares her story with us. Anna and her company https://www.divergentfutures.com/ have some incredible resources and trainings on offer - check em out!

Anna Clarke (they/them)

Anna is a Psychologist and Play Therapist with a passion for supporting children and young people. With a background in Out of Home Care, they are passionate about the transformative powers of play in building healthier relationships and supporting emotion regulation. Anna holds a Master in Child Play Therapy and collaborates with parents, carers, schools, and stakeholders to provide collaborative care. They are passionate about early intervention, approaching behaviours through a trauma-informed and Neurodiversity-Affirming lens.

Anna actively advocates for Neurodiversity-Affirming approaches to therapy. Anna is also experienced working with survivors of sexual assault and family violence. They are currently part of the Witness Intermediary Pilot Scheme within the Tasmanian Department of Justice, where they conduct communication assessments during police interviews and court proceedings.

Anna is an EMDRAA Accredited Consultant and has undertaken advanced training in EMDR Therapy. Anna is an active member of the Australian EMDR Therapy community, contributing through collaborative research, facilitating a Neurodiversity-Affirming EMDR Peer Group, and providing support for therapists wishing to integrate Neurodiversity-Affirming practise into EMDR Therapy.

As Co-Director of Divergent Futures, they offer education, training, and consulting in Neurodiversity-Affirming practice. Anna is an experienced public speaker, addressing topics such as violent behaviours, trauma-informed care, managing power imbalances in therapy, and strengths-based treatment for eating disorders.

Outside of their professional pursuits, Anna enjoys hiking in the Tasmanian bush, reading, boxing, and art.

Workshop link

Dr Jamie Marich - A Yarn about Dissociation

Dr. Jamie Marich is the author of over fifteen books and manuals in the field of trauma, recovery, and expressive arts. With her work increasingly appealing to wider audiences than just her clinical colleagues, Jamie seeks to create material that facilitates transformation. Jamie is the keynote speaker at the 2024 EMDRAA conference, today we connect over the topic of dissociation.

The Innate Healing wisdom of the body in EMDR Therapy

In this episode Sarah shares her wisdom with us about EMDR as an integrative transdiagnostic therapy.

We talk about the AIP model being a body based model, Symptoms as a reflection of memory being triggered and once adaptive and much more!

Madeleine Jablonski (she/her) is a Clinical Supervisor, Senior Clinician and EMDR Consultant at Mindful Living.

 She has experience supporting people with a range of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, grief, loss, transition difficulties, identity issues, trauma (including complex childhood trauma). In todays episode we connect around Group EMDR, what is different? What is Similar? In this exciting new approach to EMDR.

Join with me as I yarn with Caroline Burrows Accredited EMDR Trainer, Consultant, All round wonderful human. Caroline shares with us her learnings about what new EMDR Therapists find as their challenges- what gets in the way of using EMDR after your training. We discuss a few themes that Caroline has discovered.

To reach Caroline and access her Training, Workshops and Consultation

Resource Therapy Foundation Training RT Informed EMDR Intensives

Feb 2024

Dr Sarah Dominguez is an EMDR Trainer, Consultant and Researcher.  She serves on the EMDRAA board, is a member of the EMDRAA Accreditation and Standards Committee, a committee member of the Australian Psychological Society EMDR Interest and is involved with EMDR Internationally.

Today we yarn about Sarah's experience as a trainer and the way EMDR is evolving around the world and changing from being seen as a therapy primarily for PTSD, to a broad therapy approach that can be used alone or alongside other approaches.

Resource Therapy is a Trauma Informed empowering pychotherapy based on the understanding that the personality is composed of parts. Resource Therapy offers us a completed Parts model with clear structure and protocol.

Jump in and have a listen to Tracy and Philipa as they begin to explain Resource Therapy and what a wonderful compliment it can be to EMDR.

Dr Cecile Boganin is a  Clinical Psychologist who worked in the public and community mental health sectors for many years, as a result, she is highly experienced and skilled working with complex presentations and individuals from a variety of cultural and religious backgrounds.

Cecile wrote her doctoral dissertation on the impact of memory in self-harming behaviours. She therefore has a particular interest in supporting people who engage in self-harm.

I really enjoyed connecting with Shannon Bowman from create balance psychotherapy.

Shannon is an Accredited Mental Health Practitioner and EMDR Therapist with an interest in burnout.

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. It affects millions annually and can lead to severe mental health issues if left unchecked. Therapists are definitely not immune!

Check out Shannon's Burnout to Balance mentoring program and more about Shannon below.

About Shannon Bowman:

Shannon is an integrative psychotherapist. He helps his clients get to the underlying cause of their mental health concerns.
Shannon is the founder of Create Balance Psychotherapy & Counselling. ​He is an experienced and accredited mental health social worker (AMHSW), an Accredited EMDR Practitioner, psychotherapist and counsellor with the knowledge and skills to assist you through life’s difficulties.

Some handy links:

Kambria Evans from Zero disturbance Interviewed Tracy back in Jan 2022 on Tracy's work with EMDR Intensives. Tracy has now completed more than 100 EMDR Intensive sessions, both with Individuals and Couples.

Registered with the Psychology Board of Australia since 2008, Patricia has a breadth and depth of experience over the past decade.

Patricia has worked in schools, colleges, not-for-profit agencies, community health clinics, corporate settings and private practice. She has provided counselling, assessments, facilitation of workshops and group therapy.
Patricia is an EMDR Accredited Practitioner working toward Consultancy, She has particular interest in working with those overcoming family and domestic violence and associated trauma, as well as overcoming bullying and childhood trauma, in addition to improving confidence and mindset.

In this episode we talk about the intersection of case Work and Therapy in the DV FV space. Phase 4 Readiness and Patricia's learnings around DV FV Myths.

Registered with the Psychology Board of Australia since 2008, Patricia has a breadth and depth of experience over the past decade. Patricia has worked in schools, colleges, not-for-profit agencies, community health clinics, corporate settings and private practice. She has provided counselling, assessments, facilitation of workshops and group therapy.
Patricia is an EMDR Accredited Practitioner. She has particular interest in working with those overcoming family and domestic violence and associated trauma, as well as overcoming bullying and childhood trauma, in addition to improving confidence and mindset.

Join us as we yarn with Marie Vakakis,  Mental Health Social Worker, Family Therapist, presenter, podcaster, and trainer. Marie's passion lies in supporting young people to improve their mental wellbeing by building strong relationships and connections.

Marie reminds us of the importance of the system our clients are part of and how EMDR Therapy can be a useful tool to go deeper.

Connect with Marie:

Today Liam and I yarn about EMDR and grief...

Liam is currently completing his Phd on EMDR and the impact on prolonged grief. As humans one certainly is that we will all face loss along with our clients, equipping ourselves with knowledge and understanding about grief is essential.

Join us as we continue this important conversation. 

You can learn more about Liam via: