Expanding EMDR for Psychosis, Birth Trauma, Somatic Distress and more

International treatment guidelines recommend EMDR therapy as a first-line intervention for PTSD. However, its ability to reduce the emotional intensity of damaging experiences has led to EMDR being used – and proven effective – in treating a wide range of other mental health conditions.

In this two-part online workshop, Dr Suzy Matthijssen and Dr Ad de Jongh present key findings and AIP-informed treatment recommendations grounded in empirical research. The training focuses on effective case conceptualisation in EMDR therapy and its application across various mental health conditions that are often considered complex or challenging to treat.

Participants will learn how EMDR can be used to support individuals presenting with:

• Psychosis (e.g. hallucinations and delusions)
• Anxiety disorders
• Major depression
• Somatic symptom disorders (e.g. tinnitus)
• Psychological trauma related to childbirth
• Fear of childbirth

These approaches will be brought to life through clinical video demonstrations, showcasing how EMDR is applied in real therapeutic contexts.

This training is ideal for EMDR-trained clinicians looking to strengthen their clinical application of EMDR across a wide range of mental health presentations.

Training Details

• Format: Two 2-hour webinars (live with recorded access for 90 days)
• Cost: $200 + GST
• Dates: 1^st and 8^th December 2025, 6pm-8pm AEDT

Learning Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe the indication areas for EMDR therapy
• Describe how EMDR therapy can be used with individuals with:
  • Psychotic disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Major depression
  • Somatic symptom disorders
  • PTSD following childbirth
  • Fear of childbirth

About the Presenters

Ad de Jongh, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Anxiety and Behaviour Disorders at the University of Amsterdam. He is also an Honorary Professor in Psychology at the School of Health Sciences of Salford University in Manchester, at the Institute of Health and Society of the University of Worcester, and at the School of Psychology of Queen’s University in Belfast. He was involved in establishing the Psychotrauma Expertise Centre (PSYTREC), where he is the head of the research department. He is an expert in the treatment of anxiety disorders and is involved in research on the efficacy of evidence-based treatments for a wide variety of patient groups, including traumatised children, people with intellectual disabilities and other complex psychiatric conditions such as psychosis. He has published more than 400 scientific articles, book chapters and books on his areas of expertise, is an approved trainer for the EMDR Europe Association and is a member of the Council of Scholars, the Future of EMDR project.

Suzy Matthijssen, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist, senior researcher, CBT consultant, EMDR Consultant and Psychotraumatherapist NtVP. She is the vice president of the Dutch EMDR association, is in the scientific committee of EMDR Europe, and is the former co-chair of the Council of Scholars, the Future of EMDR project. She is also the head of the Enhancing Trauma Treatment Institute. She is responsible for research and education as head of the PSYTREC Academy. The focus of the research she conducts is on the optimisation of trauma treatments. She is involved in research on the enhancement of trauma therapy, intensive trauma treatments, and the working mechanisms of trauma therapy.