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How to find a good EMDR therapist Step by Step

21/08/2023 By Des 1 Comment

Three steps to find good EMDR Therapy and Three questions you must ask to find a good EMDR Therapist.

Are you seeking effective EMDR therapy for yourself or a loved one? As a seasoned Accredited EMDR Practitioner, I understand the importance of finding a skilled therapist who can make a difference. Here are three essential steps to locate a proficient EMDR therapist and three crucial questions to ask during the selection process.

Don’t Rely on Google Reviews for Choosing a Psychologist

When it comes to choosing a psychologist, Google reviews are not the most reliable source of information. This is because regulations from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) prevent clinical psychologists and psychologists from having reviews. AHPRA oversees various healthcare professionals like GPs, clinical psychologists, and psychologists to ensure their competence and safety in practice. Their role is to verify the authenticity of medical practitioners.

Google reviews, according to AHPRA, are considered as unlawful advertising. If you come across a psychologist with more than two of accidental reviews, it could indicate that they might not be accredited, registered, and hence, might not offer you the level of protection you need.

Watch Out for Titles: Therapist vs. Psychologist

It’s important to be cautious about titles when seeking help. Anyone can label themselves as a therapist, counselor, or psychotherapist, which might not guarantee their qualifications. However, using the titles “psychologist” or “clinical psychologist” is restricted and regulated by AHPRA. These titles are reserved for those who have undergone proper training and accreditation, assuring a certain level of expertise.

Three steps to find a good EMDR therapist.

Step 1 : Navigate EMDRAA’s Accredited Database.

Begin your journey by accessing the EMDRAA Find a Therapist tool, a trusted resource backed by the EMDR Association of Australia. The site’s load time might test your patience, but it’s a goldmine for identifying qualified professionals.

Goto EMDRAA Find a Therapist   and click Accept Terms

 

Step 2: Pinpoint Your Search

Enter your postcode and, if necessary, repeat the same search three times. Pay attention to the little blue labels, which indicate how close they are to you.

IF NO RESULT – TRY SAME SEARCH AGAIN!  You must select one of the drop down options otherwise no result.

EMDR therapy search glitch

 

The resulting list will start with the Accredited Trainers/Consultants/Practitioners (most experienced) and then Members within the radius you specified

(Look at the little blue labels EMDR therapy distance). Scroll down to find someone close to you.

 

Step 3 – Assess Availability, Experience and Medicare Rebates

Check 1. Availability – Are they Accepting new clients?

EMDRA therapy Not Accepting New Clients

Practitioners that are not accepting new clients may have a wait-list, ask to be put on it

Check 2.  Experience – Are they an Accredited Practitioner or an Accredited Consultant?  

If they are a Member – do some more research (see below) as there is no guarantee of experience.

EMDR therapy do more research no rebate no AHPRA

3. Medicare Rebates – Do they offer a Medicare Rebate? This means that your practitioner is regulated by the AHPRA. To receive a rebate, you must be referred by your GP or psychiatrist with a referral letter and Mental Health Plan. Rebates in 2023 for a 50+ minute session are – Clinical Psychologist  ($136.35),  Psychologist ($92.90) see MBS Online .

EMDR therapy Select it ticks all the boxes

 

The 3 questions you must ask to find a good EMDR therapist

Some EMDRAA Members are highly experienced, others do the training and rarely use it and its hard to know the difference. Try this.

  1. Therapeutic Approach – Call them up and ask them what therapeutic approach (modalities) they mainly practice. (Don’t specifically ask if they practice EMDR, By avoiding direct mentions of EMDR, you’ll gauge the extent to which they rely on this powerful technique.)
  2. EMDR Utilization – Ask them how often they use EMDR. I use it in 90% of my sessions each day.
  3. EMDR 2.0 Proficiency – Ask them if they have trained in EMDR 2.0?  This is using the latest techniques and clients report that it can be more energising and fun

 

There are 3 grades of EMDR experience.

In Australia, EMDR therapists are graded by the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA) according to there training and experience.

  1. EMDR Member (Basic):

This level signifies foundational EMDR training. While a starting point, further accreditations showcase heightened expertise.

  1. EMDR Accredited Practitioner (Advanced):

A practitioner at this level goes beyond basics, boasting additional supervision and experience. They would have treated a substantial number of clients  and undergone rigorous evaluation.

  1. Accredited Consultant (Exemplary):

These practitioners are Accredited Practitioners while also possessing the experience and skills necessary to provide supervision to fellow therapists.

 

Finding the right EMDR therapist is a vital step toward healing and growth. Use these steps and questions as your compass, to find the best EMDR therapist who can truly make a difference.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Desne Doman EMDR therapy Sydney

Desne Doman

Clinical Psychologist MAPS

EMDR Accredited Practitioner.

COVID-19 and rising PTSD Cases

12/01/2022 By Des Leave a Comment

Were you hospitalised with a COVID-19 or suffered severe symptoms? You may have COVID PTSD.

Have you woken up feeling exhausted despite an average amount of sleep? Are you having vivid nightmares? Do you find yourself feeling angry, depressed, or anxious more often than usual? Are you feeling isolated and withdrawn? If you answered yes, you might be suffering from the less-talked-about, long-lasting impact of your COVID-19 PTSD.

I’ve been noticing increasing clients who had COVID appearing in my office with all the PTSD symptoms of having suffered a life threatening trauma. I have been treating them with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitation and Reprocessing) Therapy and seeng the symptoms markedly diminished. A quick look at recent research shows:

Rates of PTSD Symptoms in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

A study (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Patients After Severe COVID-19 Infection) published in 2021 observed COVID-19 patients 30-120 days after their recovery . Out of the 381 study participants, 309 had been hospitalised. Here are the diagnostic rates the researchers found within the experimental group:

  • PTSD: 30.2%
  • Depression: 17.3%
  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder: 7%
  • Hypomanic Episode: 0.7%

Women experienced PTSD symptoms the most. These findings led the researchers to determine that factors associated with COVID PTSD are gender, delirium, agitation, and persistent medical symptoms (Janiri, D. et al.).

Another study (Mental health outcomes after hospitalisation with or without COVID-19) observing COVID-19 patients found 25% tested positive in PTSD screeners compared to 7% of patients experiencing similar physical symptoms without a COVID-19 diagnosis. Researchers at Michigan University Health Lab also found that COVID-19 hospitalisation and feelings of social isolation led to an increased risk of developing PTSD, what is worse is that no-one is recognising it as PTSD and treating for it. (Imhoff, 2021).

How Do I Know If I’m Experiencing COVID PTSD?

If you’re concerned about yourself or your loved one, look out for the following symptoms of PTSD listed in the DSM-5 (APA, 2013):

  • Difficulty falling and staying asleep
  • Nightmares
  • Difficulties concentrating; brain fog, short-term memory challenges
  • Diminished interest in pleasurable or daily activities
  • Easily changed mood
  • Inability to relax and feel calm
  • Reduced socialisation
  • Flashbacks to traumatic moments while hospitalised
  • Hypervigilance
  • Fatigue
  • Avoidance of external reminders (people talking about COVID)

Seeking treatment as soon as possible is vital to a full recovery. While it may feel scary to seek help, know that nonjudgmental care is available and that you do not have to suffer alone.
COVID PTSD Treatment

As a clinical psychologist and accredited practitioner, I use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment to support patients healing from COVID PTSD. EMDR helps treat COVID PTSD by lessening the stressor’s impact, decreasing intrusive thoughts, reducing emotional reactivity, and more (Lazzaroni et al., 2021). I can guide you through emotional recovery through my empathetic, nonjudgmental approach. Contact me today to learn more about EMDR and see if we are a good fit.

Sources COVID-19 PTSD:

  1. Burgos, C. (2021). Why PTSD May Plague Many Hospitalised COVID-19 Survivors. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-ptsd-may-plague-many-covid-19-survivors-180976715/
  2. Janiri D, Carfì A, Kotzalidis GD, et al. (2021). Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Patients After Severe COVID-19 Infection. JAMA Psychiatry;78(5): 567–569. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.0109
  3. Spencer-Segal, J.L. (2021). Mental health outcomes after hospitalisation with or without COVID-19. General Hospital Psychiatry; Vol 72 p. 152-153.
  4. Imhoff, J. (2021). Risk of PTSD, anxiety, loneliness after COVID-19 hospitalisation. Michigan University Health Lab. https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/lab-report/risk-of-ptsd-anxiety-loneliness-after-covid-19-hospitalization
  5. Kaseda, E.T. & Levine, A.J. (2020) Post-traumatic stress disorder: A differential diagnostic consideration for COVID-19 survivors. The Clinical Neuropsychologist; 34(7-8): 1498-1514.
  6. Lazzaroni, E., et al. (2021). Coronavirus Disease 2019 Emergency and Remote Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Group Therapy with Adolescents and Young Adults: Overcoming lockdown with the butterfly hug. Frontiers in Psychology.

 

You are not alone, and help is available from EMDR therapy Sydney.

Desne Doman EMDR therapist Sydney
Hi,

I’d like to help you feel better about your life, your relationships and, most importantly, about yourself.

In addition to anxiety and depression, I focus on, trauma, anger and grief.

I’m a skilled, experienced and empathic Clinical psychologist who offers a supportive and non-judgmental environment for counselling.

I am an EMDR Accredited Practitioner with extensive experience and qualifications, utilizing the latest EMDR 2.0 protocol in my practice at EMDR Therapy Sydney.

Let's see if we are a good fit.

EMDR Therapist Sydney signature
Clinical Psychologist MAPS

Medicare Rebate with GP Mental Health Plan

Recent Posts

  • How does EMDR work? A neuroscience explanation.
  • How to find a good EMDR therapist Step by Step
  • How is the new enhanced EMDR 2.0 different from EMDR?
  • COVID-19 and rising PTSD Cases
  • EMDR therapy side effects

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