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EMDR Unveiled: Transforming Trauma through Therapy

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Sam

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Who Is Jemma?

Jemma (she/her) is an Accredited Mental health Social Worker (AASW Full member) and Accredited EMDR Practitioner (EMDRAA member) with a background primarily in specialist sexual assault and family violence services. 

She is incredibly passionate about using evidence-based practice to support female-identifying humans, children, and adolescents to thrive, whilst assisting them to deepen their connection to themselves. 

As well as this, Jemma is particularly passionate about working with complex trauma presentations and has an interest in dissociative identity disorders.

Jemma primarily uses attachment informed and relational EMDR, Animal Assisted Therapy, and parts work and approaches therapy from a compassionate, person-centred approach. She works alongside co-therapists Dexter and Mali (both qualified Therapy Dogs). 

Outside of Bloom Jemma enjoys spending time in nature, visiting the ocean as often as possible, travelling to new places and hanging out with her partner and fur kids. 

Episode Summary

  • Jemma kicks us off by explaining what EMDR is and what it involves.
  • I ask Jemma to explain how REM sleep is connected to EMDR and how it is the brain that is doing the work.
  • We explore how EMDR doesn’t require us to retell our trauma story for processing to occur. Jemma also explains what ‘activation’ means.
  • I ask Jemma what drew her to EMDR and how she found herself working in this space.
  • Jemma explains the different aspects/types of EMDR and what the training she undertook involved.
  • I ask Jemma to explain what bilateral stimulation is and the different ways that she simulates that in the room.
  • Jemma shares the reason why there are some people that may need multiple forms of bilateral stimulation.
  • We explore the different presentations and issues that EMDR can be helpful for, including that many people may not call what they have experienced trauma.
  • I ask Jemma about the misconception that EMDR and Hypnosis are similar in some way.
  • Jemma further explains the desensitisation and reprocessing part of EMDR.
  • I ask Jemma about people/presentations that EMDR may not be as effective for.
  • We reinforce that the therapeutic relationship is still a vital part of the EMDR process.
  • Jemma shares that EMDR can still be effective for those who do not initially present with trauma.
  • Finally, Jemma shares the myth about EMDR that she wants to smash.