The EMDR Doctor Podcast

In this week’s episode of The EMDR Doctor Podcast , I’m answering a thoughtful listener question: “Who should not do EMDR?” It’s a great one, because while I truly believe EMDR can benefit almost everyone, there are some important physical considerations to keep in mind. From high blood pressure and heart conditions, to epilepsy, eye disorders, pregnancy, chronic illness, and even post-surgery rec...

This week, I wanted to talk about something that comes up a lot in therapy and in life: the way shame and self-pity get tangled together. So often, when we find ourselves feeling sorry for ourselves, shame quickly follows — telling us we’re weak, indulgent, or that we shouldn’t be feeling that way at all. But here’s the thing: self-pity is usually a sign that something inside us really needs care....

Hi everyone, it’s Dr. Caroline Lloyd here, and in this week’s episode I’m unpacking the   Drama Triangle   — a powerful framework that explains the roles we can slip into in relationships: victim, rescuer, and perpetrator. I share how these roles can quietly shape our families, partnerships, and even therapy spaces, and why they’re ultimately disempowering. More importantly, I talk about...

Hi everyone, it’s Dr. Caroline Lloyd here, and in this week’s episode of The EMDR Doctor Podcast , I’m talking about what I call “teeny tiny targets” in EMDR therapy — those small, everyday irritations or moments that don’t seem like a big deal… until they quietly take up space in your mind. This episode was inspired by a friend who asked me, “What’s the smallest target you’ve ever worked on?” It...

Hi everyone, it’s Dr. Caroline Lloyd here and in this week’s episode, I’m diving into a metaphor that came up in session recently: a child describing her mum’s depression as like living with a zombie. Not a Halloween monster, but that vacant, checked-out presence that feels terrifying when you're a child relying on your parent for safety and love. In this solo episode, I’m reflecting on what happe...

Hey there, in this episode, I’m answering a great little question from one of my clients: “Can you actually be traumatised by a horror movie?” Spoiler alert — yes, you can. And I share my own (slightly mortifying) horror movie trauma story from when I was 14 and watched The Exorcist at a sleepover. It stuck with me for decades… literally. But this episode goes deeper than jump scares and creepy sc...

In this episode, I’m answering a question I’ve heard a lot lately: “How can I support someone after they’ve had an EMDR session?” And honestly, I love this question — because it comes from such a caring place. We don’t often talk about what happens after EMDR. People go into sessions, things get stirred up, and then… what? If you’re the partner, the parent, the friend, or even just the person maki...

This week, I’m leaning into metaphors again — this time, inspired by a children’s classic: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt . You’d be surprised how much wisdom is tucked inside those rhythmic pages. This episode is all about why we can’t go over or under our trauma — we have to go through it. And why that’s not just terrifying, but incredibly brave… and worth it. So, if you’ve ever found yourself askin...

In this metaphor-rich episode, Dr. Caroline  Lloyd  takes us into the world of trauma and healing through stories and images that just make sense — even when emotions don’t. If you’ve ever struggled to explain what trauma feels like, or what EMDR actually does , this one’s for you. From inflatable beach balls that won’t stay submerged to the heavy wheelbarrow of life’s burdens, Dr. Carol...

In today’s episode, we’re diving into something that comes up all the time in therapy: the resistance to looking back at the past. Maybe you’ve thought it yourself — “Why do I have to dig up old memories? My anxiety is about the future, not the past!” I get it. Going back can feel pointless, painful, or even terrifying. But here’s the thing — the past holds the blueprint for so many of our current...

Welcome back to the EMDR Doctor Podcast! In this week’s powerful episode, Dr. Caroline Lloyd dives into something we’ve all felt at one point or another — pain. But this isn’t just about stubbed toes and sore shoulders. We’re going deeper, exploring how pain shows up in the body during EMDR sessions and unpacking the complex world of chronic pain. Dr. Lloyd offers compassionate guidance, myth-bust...

In this thoughtful and deeply human episode of The EMDR Doctor podcast, Dr. Caroline Lloyd unpacks a complicated emotion many of us were taught to avoid: anger . Why is it that anger feels so off-limits—especially for women? What if, instead of being something to hide or fix, anger was actually a sign of wisdom… of protection… of boundaries being drawn? Dr. Lloyd explores how our culture silences...

After a brief break over Easter and ANZAC Day, Dr. Caroline is back—and this week, she’s taking listeners behind the scenes as she prepares for her presentation at the upcoming EMDR Association Conference. With humour, honesty, and a healthy dose of self-reflection, she explores how EMDR can support performance enhancement—whether it's public speaking, elite sports, or simply pushing through procr...

In this solo episode, Dr. Caroline Lloyd reflects on how EMDR therapy can subtly (and sometimes dramatically) shift our relationships — even when we're not directly working on them. From calming parent-child dynamics to challenging long-standing patterns like people-pleasing, Caroline explores the ripple effects of healing, and why sometimes things might get messy before they get better. Plus, she...

Motherhood is life-changing—but for many, it comes with unexpected challenges, trauma, and emotional struggles. In this episode, we’re diving into the perinatal period, the mental load new mums carry, and how EMDR therapy can help process distressing memories. Plus, I’ll be sharing details about my exciting new collaboration with Mums Matter Psychology and how you can join our upcoming Group EMDR...

This episode builds on last week's discussion about the body's response to trauma and the Five F’s—Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn, and Flop . This time, we’re diving deeper into how memories are stored in the body and the powerful connection between body sensations and past experiences . In This Episode, You'll Learn: How memories are made up of multiple sensory components beyond just images. The rol...

Welcome back to The EMDR Doctor Podcast ! In this episode, Dr. Caroline Lloyd dives into the fascinating world of trauma and the body’s instinctive responses. From the fight-or-flight reaction to the lesser-known ‘Flop’ response , she breaks down how our brains and bodies work in high-stress situations. She also unpacks how EMDR therapy helps rewire the brain —moving traumatic memories out of the...

In this episode, Dr. Caroline dives into a term that's often thrown around but not always fully understood — triggers . We hear it all the time: “That was so triggering!” — but what does being triggered really mean? Spoiler alert: it’s not just about feeling annoyed or disagreeing with someone. Dr. Caroline breaks down the true definition of a trigger , why using the term incorrectly can trivializ...

In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Caroline Lloyd reflects on her own experiences as a therapy client and a therapist. She explores what makes a great therapist, critiques outdated methods like the "all-knowing" distant therapist and the "silent treatment" approach, and shares why she prefers EMDR over traditional CBT. Dr. Lloyd passionately explains how EMDR fosters change without conflict, all...

In this episode, Dr. Caroline Lloyd addresses a common question — How do I prepare for EMDR and get it right? She reassures listeners that there is no "right" way to do EMDR, debunking the pressure to perfect the process. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of allowing thoughts to flow freely and trusting your therapist to guide you through each step. In This Episode, You'll Learn: No "Right" o...

In this episode of The EMDR Doctor Podcast , Dr. Caroline Lloyd explores Complex PTSD (CPTSD) —what it is, how it differs from PTSD, and how it impacts emotions, self-perception, and relationships. She explains how CPTSD often stems from prolonged trauma, particularly in childhood, and how it shapes beliefs about oneself and others. Dr. Lloyd highlights the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in helping...

In this essential episode of the EMDR Doctor Podcast , Dr. Caroline Lloyd breaks down Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) —what it is, how it develops, and the different ways it manifests in people’s lives. PTSD isn’t just something that affects soldiers or first responders; it can emerge from medical trauma, childhood experiences, bullying, or even a distressing event in adulthood . Dr. Lloyd e...

In this fascinating episode of the EMDR Doctor Podcast , Dr. Caroline Lloyd explores aphantasia —the inability to visualise images in the mind’s eye—and its impact on EMDR therapy. Many EMDR exercises rely on visualisation, but what happens if a person simply can’t form mental images? Dr. Lloyd unpacks how EMDR can still be effective for people with aphantasia, how therapists adapt techniques, and...

In this episode of the EMDR Doctor Podcast, Dr. Caroline Lloyd takes a deep dive into online group EMDR therapy , a relatively new and innovative way to process difficult memories. She explains how her Heal Your Past program works, addressing common concerns about privacy, effectiveness, and suitability. If you’re curious about how EMDR can work in a group setting while still maintaining confident...

In this episode of the EMDR Doctor Podcast , Dr. Caroline Lloyd explores the concept of post-traumatic growth —the powerful transformation that can occur after resolving trauma. She explains how healing isn’t just about reducing distress, but about discovering newfound strength, purpose, and a deeper appreciation for life. Using the analogy of weeds and seeds , Dr. Lloyd illustrates how EMDR helps...