The EMDR Doctor Podcast

About The EMDR Doctor Podcast

Dr Caroline is a Mental Health GP who is passionate about helping her clients resolve their difficult memories using EMDR. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing is an amazingly effective therapy for trauma and difficult memories. This podcast demystifies EMDR. Dr Caroline shares all her knowledge and experience to help you decide if EMDR is for you, and how best to get the most from your EMDR journey.

Publisher

Dr Caroline Lloyd

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Aug 2024

Latest episode

27 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

78 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   27 Sept 2026

   78. How to choose an EMDR target to process

   In this episode, Dr. Caroline Lloyd addresses how to choose a memory target for EMDR, emphasizing that there's no "wrong" choice, but some will be more effective than others. She introduces the "wheelbarrow of trauma" analogy, explains the concepts of "memory networks”, “chunking”, and working with past, present and future targets. Key Points: 1. No target is truly "wrong" – Any memory chosen for EMDR that carries distress will contribute to healing in some way. Practitioners and clients shouldn't get overly anxious about picking the "perfect" target, as even an imperfect choice will still create progress, just perhaps via a longer route. 2. The "wheelbarrow of trauma" analogy – Trauma can be visualized as a wheelbarrow containing big rocks (major traumas) and sand (smaller distressing experiences). Removing a big rock creates faster relief but risks destabilizing the person, while sand takes longer to clear but is safer to start with. 3. Start small, especially in a first session – For an initial EMDR session, it's best to choose a standalone memory of small-to-medium distress rather than diving into a major trauma or a heavily connected memory network, allowing both therapist and client to build trust and gauge tolerance/resilience. 4. Memory networks matter – Distressing memories are often linked together thematically (e.g., "things being stolen from me" or "I'm not lovable"). Resolving one memory within a network can help dismantle the broader network, making memory selection strategically important. 5. Chunking down large or unmanageable memories – For memories that feel too big or overwhelming to process all at once (especially those tied to severe or complex trauma), it can help to break them down into smaller, more manageable pieces rather than attempting to tackle the entire memory in one go. This might mean focusing on just one aspect, moment, a trigger, or sensory detail of the memory rather than the whole event, allowing the nervous system to process the distress in more digestible portions. 6. Past, present, and future targets – EMDR often addresses three time points within a memory network: the past (original memories that created the distress), the present (current triggers activating that distress), and the future (a future template to build confidence for similar situations ahead). Targeting all three helps ensure the healing is complete and reduces the risk of relapse. Resources Mentioned: • EMDR Therapy for Trauma: If you're in Australia and want personalized support, Dr. Lloyd’s individual or group therapy sessions may be right for you. • EMDR Doctor Membership: If you’ve worked with Dr. Lloyd before and need ongoing support, check out the EMDR Doctor Membership page for monthly opportunities to continue EMDR therapy. • Consultation & Supervision: Book a supervision session (https://www.emdrdoctor.com.au/consultation) with Dr. Lloyd. Contact and Feedback: • If you’ve been affected by trauma, or if you want to discuss how EMDR can help you heal from past wounds, get in touch with Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au (https://www.emdrdoctor.com.au/) • Appointments for consultation or supervision, with Dr. Lloyd, can be made via Halaxy (https://www.halaxy.com/book/appointment/caroline-lloyd/location/799391). Remember, healing from trauma is a journey — you don’t have to do it alone. Subscribe & Stay Connected: • Be sure to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. Each week, we dive into the powerful ways EMDR therapy can help you heal, grow, and reclaim your life. If you’ve found today’s episode helpful, share it with someone who could benefit from this information. • See me in person over on my YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@CarolineLloyd-n8y)— it’s a great way to connect face-to-face, learn more about EMDR, and get a sense of how we might work together in therapy. Join me, Dr. Caroline Lloyd, as we unpack trauma, explore the science of EMDR, and share real stories of recovery and resilience.

2. 

   8 Sept 2026

   77. Myths about DID

   In a preview of the upcoming webinar on Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), on 17th September 2026, Dr. Caroline Lloyd dispels five common myths: that DID is rare, that it is dangerous, that it isn't real, that everyone has DID, and that therapy aims to eliminate alters through fusion. Key Points: 1. Myth: DID is rare. In reality, DID affects an estimated 1–1.5% of the population worldwide, making it more common than schizophrenia (0.7%) and even more common than the proportion of people who are Australian (0.33% of world population). 2. Myth: DID is dangerous. Despite dramatized portrayals in TV shows and Netflix series, there is no evidence that people with DID are more violent or untrustworthy than anyone else. Most people with DID are simply doing their best to cope with life. 3. Myth: DID isn't real. DID is a genuine condition, supported by functional MRI studies showing real brain differences (particularly in the default mode network) between people with and without DID. Most people with DID actually hide their condition rather than seek attention. (Note: This is distinct from "Tulpamancy," an online subculture unrelated to the clinical diagnosis.) 4. Myth: Everyone has DID. This confuses the concept of having "parts" of oneself (as in IFS therapy) with having true dissociative alters. The key difference is dissociation—true alters lack communication/awareness of each other, whereas everyday "parts" are simply different moods or aspects of a single, continuous self-awareness. 5. Myth: Therapy aims to eliminate alters (fusion). The goal of therapy isn't to erase a person's different parts or "make them normal," but to help resolve the difficulties stemming from childhood trauma while respecting and preserving their personality structure, so clients can live functional, fulfilling lives aligned with their own goals. Resources Mentioned: • Upcoming webinar on Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) (https://www.emdrdoctor.com.au/training)along with Dr Cate Bearsley-Smith • EMDR Therapy for Trauma: If you're in Australia and want personalized support, Dr. Lloyd’s individual or group therapy sessions may be right for you. • EMDR Doctor Membership: If you’ve worked with Dr. Lloyd before and need ongoing support, check out the EMDR Doctor Membership page for monthly opportunities to continue EMDR therapy. • Consultation & Supervision: Book a supervision session (https://www.emdrdoctor.com.au/consultation) with Dr. Lloyd. Contact and Feedback: • If you’ve been affected by trauma, or if you want to discuss how EMDR can help you heal from past wounds, get in touch with Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au (https://www.emdrdoctor.com.au/) • Appointments for consultation or supervision, with Dr. Lloyd, can be made via Halaxy (https://www.halaxy.com/book/appointment/caroline-lloyd/location/799391). Remember, healing from trauma is a journey — you don’t have to do it alone. Subscribe & Stay Connected: • Be sure to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. Each week, we dive into the powerful ways EMDR therapy can help you heal, grow, and reclaim your life. If you’ve found today’s episode helpful, share it with someone who could benefit from this information. • See me in person over on my YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@CarolineLloyd-n8y)— it’s a great way to connect face-to-face, learn more about EMDR, and get a sense of how we might work together in therapy. Join me, Dr. Caroline Lloyd, as we unpack trauma, explore the science of EMDR, and share real stories of recovery and resilience.

3. 

   30 Aug 2026

   76. EMDR for FND

   In this episode, Dr. Caroline Lloyd explores functional neurological disorder (FND), which produces real, medically unexplained physical symptoms (like tremors, seizures, or gait problems), rooted in unconscious emotional distress rather than deliberate deception. FND is often linked to trauma, and can be shaped by cultural attitudes toward emotional expression. Research is limited on the role of EMDR in treating FND, but the “Modify Protocol”, using EMDR's three-pronged approach is promising: (1) targeting past trauma (including events preceding symptom onset), (2) present-day bodily sensations tied to the symptoms, and (3) a future template of life without FND, tailored individually based on each client's need for preparation and coping skills. Key Points: 1. What FND is: FND causes real, medically unexplained neurological symptoms (tremors, non-epileptic seizures, gait issues) that stem from emotional distress the person can't otherwise express. 2. What FND is not: FND is not malingering—it's an unconscious process with real symptoms, though doctors sometimes respond to their own helplessness by withdrawing or blaming patients. 3. Trauma is central: Nearly all people with FND have a trauma history, and cultures that suppress emotional expression tend to see more distress expressed through physical symptoms instead. 4. Strong link with autism: FND is much more common in autistic people due to greater trauma exposure, alexithymia, sensory/interoceptive differences, and moral injury sensitivity—yet many are only diagnosed as autistic after their FND diagnosis. 5. EMDR as a promising treatment: Despite limited research, EMDR (including rapid, single-session approaches) shows promise for FND, often using the "Modify Protocol" to target past trauma, present bodily sensations, and a future free of symptoms. Resources Mentioned: • Upcoming webinar on Dissociative Identity Disorder (https://www.emdrdoctor.com.au/training) (DID) along with Dr Cate Bearsley-Smith • EMDR Therapy for Trauma: If you're in Australia and want personalized support, Dr. Lloyd’s individual or group therapy sessions may be right for you. • EMDR Doctor Membership: If you’ve worked with Dr. Lloyd before and need ongoing support, check out the EMDR Doctor Membership page for monthly opportunities to continue EMDR therapy. • Consultation & Supervision: Book a supervision session (https://www.emdrdoctor.com.au/consultation) with Dr. Lloyd. Contact and Feedback: • If you’ve been affected by trauma, or if you want to discuss how EMDR can help you heal from past wounds, get in touch with Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au (https://www.emdrdoctor.com.au/) . • Appointments for consultation or supervision, with Dr. Lloyd, can be made via Halaxy (https://www.halaxy.com/book/appointment/caroline-lloyd/location/799391). Remember, healing from trauma is a journey — you don’t have to do it alone. Subscribe & Stay Connected: • Be sure to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. Each week, we dive into the powerful ways EMDR therapy can help you heal, grow, and reclaim your life. If you’ve found today’s episode helpful, share it with someone who could benefit from this information. • See me in person over on my YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@CarolineLloyd-n8y)— it’s a great way to connect face-to-face, learn more about EMDR, and get a sense of how we might work together in therapy. Join me, Dr. Caroline Lloyd, as we unpack trauma, explore the science of EMDR, and share real stories of recovery and resilience.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

16 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 47 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

55

Social presence

91

YouTube

0

Engagement

51

Contact The EMDR Doctor Podcast

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about The EMDR Doctor Podcast