The EMDR Doctor Podcast

In this week’s episode of The EMDR Doctor Podcast, we’re diving deep into one of the most painful and complex issues people face in relationships: lies. Whether it’s a small fib or a web of deception, lies can be devastating, especially when they come from the people we trust the most. Betrayal trauma and the aftermath of being deceived can feel like a loss of reality itself, and healing from that is no small feat. Today, we’ll explore why people lie, the pain of betrayal trauma, and how EMDR therapy can help untangle the webs of deceit that keep us trapped in hurt and confusion. We’ll also talk about the impact of lies on self-worth, trust, and healing, and how to work through the difficult feelings of shame and self-blame. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The difference between prosocial and antisocial lies and why people lie for different reasons — from making others feel good, to protecting themselves, to avoiding consequences. How betrayal trauma from lies can upend your sense of stability and self-worth, leaving you feeling disoriented and distrustful. Why lies often come with half-truths and how to spot the signs of deceit, especially when a person is a practiced liar. The emotional toll of being lied to and the complexities of trauma when you feel like your reality is being manipulated. The healing journey after betrayal trauma — how to rebuild trust in yourself, your relationships, and the world around you, with the help of EMDR. Key Highlights: Lies are everywhere: Lies come in all shapes and sizes. Some are small “white lies” designed to protect someone’s feelings, while others serve to protect the liar or gain an advantage. But even the “harmless” ones can leave us feeling disconnected from reality. Betrayal trauma from lies is deeply painful: When the person you trust most betrays you with lies, it’s a wound that goes beyond just being deceived. It’s a loss of trust in yourself and in others, and the pain can feel all-consuming. The big lie often hides deeper pain: Lying is sometimes a defense mechanism, stemming from unresolved past trauma. People who lie frequently may have deeply buried truths about their own past that are too painful to face. The child’s dilemma with truth-telling: When children are faced with difficult truths — like reporting abuse — the consequences of lying or withholding the truth can be staggering. Protecting someone else’s feelings may come at the expense of their own safety or well-being, which leaves deep scars. The paradox of telling the truth: While telling the truth is difficult, especially when the consequences are severe, it ultimately leads to healing. Lies, on the other hand, can erode self-esteem and happiness, leaving a person in a constant state of inner conflict. How to spot a liar: There are some classic signs of deception — like excessive details, avoiding eye contact, or changing the subject — but the best way to know if someone is lying is to fact-check or catch them in a contradiction. Healing betrayal trauma with EMDR: Betrayal trauma can absolutely be healed, but it requires deep work. EMDR therapy helps process the emotional pain, rebuild trust, and help you reclaim a sense of stability. While you can’t change the past, you can change how you respond to it and rebuild your self-worth and confidence. Resources Mentioned: Heal Your Past Online EMDR Program: For those looking to explore EMDR as a tool for healing, Dr. Lloyd’s online course offers support in processing trauma, especially betrayal trauma. Find more at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal  EMDR Therapy for Betrayal 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. Contact and Feedback: If you’ve been affected by betrayal 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 . Remember, healing from betrayal 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 — 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.

Welcome back, everyone — and yes, I owe you an apology for disappearing last week! Life threw a few curveballs (as it tends to do right before the year wraps up), and the podcast had to take a tiny unplanned holiday. But I’m here, tea in hand, and diving straight into a topic that touches every single one of us whether we like it or not… money. We don’t usually talk about money honestly — not with friends, not with partners, and definitely not with our therapists. Yet our money beliefs, habits, fears, and even the chaos in our bank accounts are often shaped by some of our earliest experiences and unhealed emotional wounds. Today we’re unpacking all of it: the guilt, the avoidance, the “I don’t deserve it,” the overspending, the under-spending, the financial trauma, and the sneaky little messages we absorbed when we were too young to know better. And of course, we’ll talk about how EMDR helps untangle those old money stories so you can relate to finances without fear, shame, or self-sabotage. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Your money patterns aren’t random — they’re rooted in early emotional experiences and learned beliefs. Financial trauma is real, and it shapes how we save, spend, and set boundaries. You can rewire how you relate to money just like any other trauma response. EMDR helps reduce the emotional charge around past financial wounds, making practical change easier. It’s safe to have money, safe to enjoy it, and safe to keep it — those beliefs can be learned. Financial stability and emotional safety are deeply connected. Healing money beliefs can improve boundaries, decision-making, and self-worth. You deserve to feel confident, capable, and empowered when it comes to money. Key Highlights: The surprising childhood experiences that shape adult money beliefs. The hidden cultural prejudices around wealth, especially in Australia. Why so many helpers (including therapists!) feel guilty about earning well. How money trauma shows up in behaviour: overspending, hiding bills, avoiding accounts, maxing cards. How EMDR helps shift money beliefs from fear and shame to safety and empowerment. What it actually looks like to heal your emotional relationship with money.     Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback: Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations.S Subscribe & Stay Connected: Make sure you’re following The EMDR Doctor podcast so you never miss an episode! Next week, we’ll be exploring even more ways EMDR can transform your life — from deepening your relationships to building a stronger sense of self. Each episode is packed with expert insights, real stories, and practical tools to help you on your path to recovery. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she unpacks trauma, demystifies PTSD, and shares how EMDR can support real, lasting healing.  

In this week’s episode of The EMDR Doctor Podcast, we’re diving into something many people quietly relate to — the struggle to form or maintain friendships after trauma. What happens when connection feels unsafe, or when friendship becomes more exhausting than fulfilling? And what does it really mean when someone says, “I don’t do friends”? This episode unpacks how early relational wounds, social exclusion, and even subtle emotional injuries can shape how we connect with others as adults — and how EMDR therapy can help us rebuild safety, trust, and authenticity in our relationships. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How early experiences of rejection, bullying, or conditional love can shape our adult friendships. Why some people withdraw socially — not from preference, but from emotional exhaustion or fear. The difference between solitude (a healthy choice) and isolation (a protective response to pain). How EMDR helps untangle the past wounds that make connection feel risky. The role of people-pleasing in friendships — and why healing may mean losing some unbalanced relationships along the way. Key Highlights: “I don’t do friends” is often not a preference — it’s a legacy of relational trauma. EMDR helps reprocess painful memories of exclusion, betrayal, or bullying that shaped our sense of worthiness and belonging. Healing people-pleasing patterns may temporarily change friendships — but it also creates space for healthier, mutual connections. Neurodivergent individuals may find friendships draining due to masking or performance — EMDR can support self-acceptance and boundary setting. True connection begins with authenticity — the ability to show up as ourselves without fear of rejection. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback: Interested in exploring EMDR for pregnancy-related anxiety, trauma, or physical symptoms? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au. Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations. Subscribe & Stay Connected: Make sure to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. Each week, I dive into new and sometimes surprising ways EMDR can support healing — from easing anxiety to transforming how we respond to pain and stress. See me in person over on my YouTube channel — 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. Each episode is packed with expert insights, real stories, and practical tools to help you on your path to recovery. Join me, Dr. Caroline Lloyd, as we unpack trauma, explore the science of EMDR, and share real stories of recovery and resilience.

This week on The EMDR Doctor Podcast, we’re talking about something we’ll all face eventually — getting older, and more importantly, staying happy as we do. Inspired by my mum’s 85th birthday (and her recent overseas adventure!), I found myself reflecting on what it really means to age well — beyond just staying active or eating our vegetables. It turns out, the secret to happiness in later life isn’t just health or money… it’s belonging. Research shows that social connectedness — how many groups we belong to and how supported we feel — is the strongest predictor of happiness in retirement. But what if, like me, you’re more introverted, or you find joining new groups awkward? That’s where EMDR can help. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Happiness is learned — and practiced. EMDR helps clear away old beliefs that block joy and connection. You can rewire how you relate to others. Healing early experiences of rejection or self-doubt opens space for genuine connection. EMDR isn’t just for trauma. It’s also for personal growth, confidence, and creating a more connected future. It’s never too late to change. Whether you’re planning for retirement or just wanting a richer social life now, healing old patterns can make a huge difference. Key Highlights: Why happiness in later life is closely tied to social connectedness — not wealth, health, or housing. The challenges introverts face when building or maintaining friendships and communities. How EMDR can help reduce anxiety and self-judgment around socializing. The role of EMDR in resolving old beliefs like “I don’t belong” or “I’m socially awkward.” How replacing these beliefs with positive ones — like “I can be myself” or “I deserve connection” — can transform your sense of belonging. Practical ways to bring these new beliefs to life, from joining book clubs to volunteering or simply reconnecting with old friends. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback: Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations.S Subscribe & Stay Connected: Make sure you’re following The EMDR Doctor podcast so you never miss an episode! Next week, we’ll be exploring even more ways EMDR can transform your life — from deepening your relationships to building a stronger sense of self. Each episode is packed with expert insights, real stories, and practical tools to help you on your path to recovery. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she unpacks trauma, demystifies PTSD, and shares how EMDR can support real, lasting healing.

This week on The EMDR Doctor Podcast, we’re exploring a truly fascinating (and unexpected) use of EMDR — helping with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. If you’ve ever experienced pregnancy nausea, you’ll know how relentless it can feel. But hyperemesis takes it to another level — constant sickness, dehydration, and an inability to eat or drink without vomiting. Yet, research now shows that EMDR therapy may help stop this cycle — not by treating the stomach, but by calming the brain’s learned response to triggers like smells, tastes, or even sights associated with nausea. In this episode, I unpack a series of remarkable case studies where women hospitalised with hyperemesis experienced dramatic improvement — some able to eat and go home after just one or two EMDR sessions. We’ll talk about how this works, what it tells us about the mind-body connection, and why EMDR continues to surprise us with its reach and potential for healing. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: What hyperemesis gravidarum is — and why it’s more than “just bad morning sickness.” How the brain learns to associate certain smells and sensations with danger, triggering nausea. The science behind how EMDR helps “reset” those learned responses and calm the body. Why EMDR can sometimes bring rapid relief — even in physical conditions linked to trauma or fear. How understanding the mind-body connection can help reframe the way we think about healing. Key Highlights: EMDR can interrupt the body’s nausea response by breaking the brain’s link between smell, fear, and sickness. Research shows that even one or two sessions of EMDR may significantly reduce symptoms of hyperemesis. The brain’s protective mechanisms — like heightened smell sensitivity in pregnancy — can sometimes overreact, leading to physical distress. EMDR isn’t just for trauma memories — it can also soothe the body’s learned responses to stress and danger. The power of EMDR lies in its simplicity: no medication, no IVs, just the brain’s natural healing ability guided in the right direction. Resources Mentioned: EMDR for Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Case Series by Onder Kavakci and Gonca Imir Yenicesu Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Contact and Feedback: Interested in exploring EMDR for pregnancy-related anxiety, trauma, or physical symptoms? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au. Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations. Subscribe & Stay Connected: Make sure to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. Each week, I dive into new and sometimes surprising ways EMDR can support healing — from easing anxiety to transforming how we respond to pain and stress. See me in person over on my YouTube channel — 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. Each episode is packed with expert insights, real stories, and practical tools to help you on your path to recovery. Join me, Dr. Caroline Lloyd, as we unpack trauma, explore the science of EMDR, and share real stories of recovery and resilience.

If you’ve ever been called a “strong, independent woman” (or man!) and felt a quiet exhaustion behind the compliment, this episode will speak to you. In this week’s episode, I’m unpacking something many of us carry without realising it — hyper-independence. That deep belief that you have to do everything on your own — not because you want to, but because somewhere along the way, you learned that asking for help wasn’t safe or worthwhile. We’ll explore where this pattern comes from, how it quietly shapes our relationships and sense of belonging, and most importantly, how trauma therapy — especially EMDR — can help soften those edges. Because healing doesn’t just mean surviving alone. It’s about learning to trust, to connect, and to let others in again. If you’ve ever felt lonely in your strength, this one’s for you. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Independence can be healthy — until it starts to isolate you. Hyper-independence is often a trauma response, not a personality trait. EMDR therapy helps uncover and heal the old wounds that created the need to “do it all alone.” True strength isn’t about avoiding help — it’s about allowing it. Letting others in can be one of the most healing experiences of all. Key Highlights: What hyper-independence really is — and how it hides behind “strength” The roots of self-reliance in childhood trauma, neglect, or betrayal How hyper-independence shows up in adulthood: work, relationships, and loneliness Why accepting help can feel uncomfortable — and what that reveals How EMDR therapy can release the pain driving over-independence, helping you open up to trust and connection again Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback: Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au. Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations. Subscribe & Stay Connected: Make sure you’re following The EMDR Doctor podcast so you never miss an episode! Next week, we’ll be exploring even more ways EMDR can transform your life — from deepening your relationships to building a stronger sense of self. Each episode is packed with expert insights, real stories, and practical tools to help you on your path to recovery. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she unpacks trauma, demystifies PTSD, and shares how EMDR can support real, lasting healing.

This week’s episode is a special one — we’re revisiting one of the most popular topics of all time: What actually is EMDR? Whether you’ve just discovered EMDR therapy or you’re curious about how it works, this episode breaks it all down — from what “Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing” really means to how it helps your brain process trauma and move toward healing. I’m also thrilled to share that The EMDR Doctor Podcast has officially made it to the Top 100 Mental Health Podcasts in Australia! Thank you to everyone who’s tuned in, rated, and shared the show — your support truly helps this healing conversation reach more people who need it. If you’ve ever wondered how EMDR helps turn painful memories into “just something that happened that time,” this episode is for you. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Traumatic memories get “stuck” in the emotional part of the brain — EMDR helps them move safely into long-term memory. Healing doesn’t mean erasing what happened — it means reducing its emotional charge. You don’t need to process every single painful event — working on key memories helps the whole network heal. EMDR isn’t just for PTSD — it can help with anxiety, depression, phobias, eating disorders, and more. The brain’s capacity to heal is powerful — EMDR simply helps it do what it’s naturally meant to do. Key Highlights:  What EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) really is — explained in simple, human terms. How EMDR helps the brain reprocess traumatic or distressing memories. The role of bilateral stimulation — and why moving your eyes from side to side can actually calm the emotional brain. How EMDR transforms trauma from a current crisis into a past event. Why EMDR works across many diagnoses — because it’s memory-based, not diagnosis-based. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback: Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations.S Subscribe & Stay Connected: Make sure you’re following The EMDR Doctor podcast so you never miss an episode! Next week, we’ll be exploring even more ways EMDR can transform your life — from deepening your relationships to building a stronger sense of self. Each episode is packed with expert insights, real stories, and practical tools to help you on your path to recovery. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she unpacks trauma, demystifies PTSD, and shares how EMDR can support real, lasting healing.

This week on The EMDR Doctor Podcast, I’m taking you on a slightly different kind of journey. As I pack my bags for a holiday adventure, I couldn’t help but think about how EMDR itself is an adventure too. It’s a therapy that invites us to step into the unknown, follow the brain’s natural pathways, and sometimes even get creative with imagination and new perspectives. Just like any great adventure, it’s full of surprises, discoveries, and the potential for transformation. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Healing can be an adventure — curiosity and openness often lead to breakthroughs. Creativity isn’t separate from therapy; it’s a powerful part of how our brains heal. Imaginative resources (like nurturing figures) can help us feel safe when facing tough memories. You don’t have to “have it all figured out” before EMDR — your brain knows where it needs to go. Simple preparation tools, like practicing calm or safe place visualisations, can make EMDR more effective and less overwhelming. Key Highlights: How EMDR unfolds after the setup: client-led, fluid, and organic. The role of creativity in EMDR — from re-scripting moments to introducing nurturing or wise figures. Why imagination can help unlock stuck points in healing. Ways EMDR connects current distress to earlier memories, uncovering deeper roots. Practical tips on how to prepare for EMDR sessions (like calm place visualisations). Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback:  Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au. Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations. Subscribe & Stay Connected: Make sure you’re following The EMDR Doctor podcast so you never miss an episode! Next week, we’ll be exploring even more ways EMDR can transform your life — from deepening your relationships to building a stronger sense of self. Each episode is packed with expert insights, real stories, and practical tools to help you on your path to recovery. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she unpacks trauma, demystifies PTSD, and shares how EMDR can support real, lasting healing.

This week, I want to share something powerful that I recently learned at an EMDR Association of Australia training event. It’s a new way of looking at violence against women — not just through the cycle of violence, which many of you might already know, but also through the vortex of violence model, which offers a deeper understanding of how violence impacts survivors over time. As a therapist working with women who’ve experienced trauma, I’ve seen how naming and understanding these patterns can be life-changing. When survivors recognize the cycle and the vortex, they often feel relief — because it’s no longer just “their fault,” but part of a much larger pattern. In this episode, I’ll walk you through both models, explain how they can help survivors understand their experience, and share how EMDR therapy can support healing by restoring safety, strength, and self-worth. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why violence in relationships so often follows a cycle — and how to recognize the phases. How the “vortex of violence” explains the losses survivors face, from health to confidence to relationships. Why education is vital: understanding these frameworks can give survivors knowledge and language to protect themselves. How EMDR can help survivors process trauma, release fear and grief, and rebuild a sense of safety and strength. Key Highlights: The cycle of violence: what it looks like and why it keeps repeating. The vortex of violence: a new model that shows how violence spirals, pulling in safety, trust, and health while spinning off hope and stability. How recognizing these patterns can empower women to understand it’s not their fault and spot the signs earlier. The role of EMDR therapy in healing after violence — restoring confidence, rebuilding self-worth, and helping women feel safe again. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback: Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au. Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations. Subscribe & Stay Connected: Don’t miss next week’s episode — we’ll be exploring even more about how EMDR can shape our lives and relationships. You won’t want to miss the insights. Each episode is packed with expert insights, real stories, and practical tools to help you on your path to recovery. And if you’d like to put a face to the voice, come join me on YouTube. Sometimes seeing the person behind the mic makes the connection feel a little more real — and who knows, it might even give you the nudge you need to book your own session. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she demystifies PTSD and provides hope for recovery, showing that healing is possible with the right tools and support.  Please reach out if you need help:  Police 0001800 RESPECTKids helpline 1800 55 1800Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491WIRE (Women's Information and Referral Exchange) 130013413013YARN 13 92 76

Hi everyone,  in this week’s episode of The EMDR Doctor Podcast I’m diving into a topic that so many of us wrestle with — Imposter Syndrome. Whether you’re a doctor, a teacher, in corporate, or even just starting something new, that nagging voice of “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t belong here” can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I unpack what imposter syndrome really is (and isn’t), share some of my own experiences with it, and explore how EMDR therapy can help you rewrite those old, unhelpful beliefs into something much more supportive and freeing. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re unqualified — it means old wounds are still shaping your present. Thoughts are not truths — that critical voice doesn’t define your reality. EMDR therapy helps uncover and reprocess the origins of imposter beliefs, reducing their power. Strengthening positive experiences is just as important as resolving painful ones. Confidence isn’t about never feeling anxious — it’s about removing the blocks that stop you from stepping into your flow. Key Highlights: Honest conversations with young doctors feeling stretched thin by fear, anxiety, and “not good enough” thoughts. Why imposter syndrome isn’t about lack of skill — it’s about deep, old beliefs that resurface in adulthood. How imposter syndrome can hide behind perfectionism, overwork, or constant fear of being “found out.” My own journey with imposter syndrome early in my career and how I carried those fears for years. The difference between normal job anxiety and true imposter syndrome. EMDR approaches that help — from reprocessing early shame to bolstering positive beliefs and allowing yourself to actually feel praise. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback: Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au. Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations. Subscribe & Stay Connected: Don’t miss next week’s episode — we’ll be exploring even more about how EMDR can shape our lives and relationships. You won’t want to miss the insights. Each episode is packed with expert insights, real stories, and practical tools to help you on your path to recovery. And if you’d like to put a face to the voice, come join me on YouTube. Sometimes seeing the person behind the mic makes the connection feel a little more real — and who knows, it might even give you the nudge you need to book your own session. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she demystifies PTSD and provides hope for recovery, showing that healing is possible with the right tools and support. 

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 recovery, I’ll walk you through what to look out for and how EMDR can be adapted safely. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why having high blood pressure doesn’t mean EMDR is unsafe — as long as it’s well managed. How EMDR can be safely adapted for elderly clients, including pacing and titrating memories. The role of agitation and blood pressure during trauma processing — and why healing ultimately benefits physical health. Safety considerations for pregnancy and postpartum trauma work. Adjustments for epilepsy and eye disorders (e.g. using tapping or auditory bilateral stimulation). EMDR and surgery, chemotherapy, and chronic illness — tailoring the pace and process to support both body and mind. Key Highlights: EMDR is highly adaptable — physical conditions rarely mean exclusion, just adjustments. Trauma resolution can improve both mental and physical health. Informed consent and collaborative decision-making are key in tailoring EMDR for each individual. Age is never a barrier to healing — it’s about pacing and support. With thoughtful modifications, even those with chronic illness or ongoing treatments can benefit from EMDR. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback: Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au. Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations. Subscribe & Stay Connected: Make sure you’re following The EMDR Doctor podcast so you never miss an episode! Next week, we’ll be exploring even more ways EMDR can transform your life — from deepening your relationships to building a stronger sense of self. Each episode is packed with expert insights, real stories, and practical tools to help you on your path to recovery. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she unpacks trauma, demystifies PTSD, and shares how EMDR can support real, lasting healing.

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. And when we meet that place with compassion — real, genuine compassion — something powerful happens. Instead of staying stuck in fear, helplessness, or injustice, we can come out feeling nurtured, strengthened, and even loved. In this episode, I explore how compassion transforms the way we experience shame and self-pity, and why this shift matters so much for healing.  In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Compassion is not indulgence — it’s a healing force. Self-pity doesn’t mean weakness, it means something inside us needs tending. When we meet shame with compassion, we shift from helplessness to hope. Key Highlights: Why shame and self-pity are so closely linked How self-pity is often misunderstood, but actually signals a need for support. The transformative power of compassion in healing shame. How EMDR therapy creates space for new, kinder responses to suffering. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback:  Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au. Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations. Subscribe & Stay Connected: Make sure you’re following The EMDR Doctor podcast so you never miss an episode! Next week, we’ll be exploring even more ways EMDR can transform your life — from deepening your relationships to building a stronger sense of self. Each episode is packed with expert insights, real stories, and practical tools to help you on your path to recovery. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she unpacks trauma, demystifies PTSD, and shares how EMDR can support real, lasting healing.

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 how EMDR can help us move beyond these rigid roles into healthier, empowering alternatives — stepping into coach, creator, and challenger. If you’ve ever felt stuck replaying the same dynamics with people in your life, this episode will help you see a new path forward. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: All roles in the Drama Triangle are limiting and disempowering. Awareness of the role we’re playing is the first step to change. EMDR can process stuck beliefs (like “I’m powerless” or “I’m responsible for everyone else”) and replace them with empowering truths. Moving into the Empowerment Dynamic allows for healthier, freer relationships. Healing is about reclaiming agency, choice, and balance in how we show up with others. Key Highlights: The Drama Triangle: victim, rescuer, and perpetrator — and how easily we slip between them. Why “rescuing” clients, partners, or family members can unintentionally keep them in victim mode. The dangers of being cast as perpetrator when withdrawing from rescuer mode. How family dynamics often push children into rigid roles — with lasting effects. The alternative Empowerment Dynamic (creator, coach, challenger). How EMDR helps shift beliefs that keep us stuck in these roles.  Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback:  Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au. Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations. Subscribe & Stay Connected: Make sure you’re following The EMDR Doctor podcast so you never miss an episode! Next week, we’ll be exploring even more ways EMDR can transform your life — from deepening your relationships to building a stronger sense of self. Each episode is packed with expert insights, real stories, and practical tools to help you on your path to recovery. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she unpacks trauma, demystifies PTSD, and shares how EMDR can support real, lasting healing.

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 got me thinking, because while most of my clients work on big, life-changing events, I often use EMDR for myself on the little things — a snarky comment, a frustrating traffic moment, or even learning how to take a compliment without squirming. I share how these small targets can be surprisingly powerful for emotional wellbeing, why they’re worth processing, and how EMDR techniques — like walking EMDR — can help shift even the tiniest irritations so they don’t stick around and spoil your day. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How EMDR can be used for everyday irritations and “micro-upsets” — not just big trauma. Why unresolved small annoyances can build up and affect your mood and wellbeing. The story of how I processed a minor traffic frustration using walking EMDR. How to spot when you’re deflecting compliments — and why that’s worth working on. A simple EMDR-based protocol for learning to accept and internalise positive feedback. Why addressing “small” issues can create big shifts in self-esteem and emotional resilience. Key Highlights: Teeny tiny targets are the small moments of irritation or discomfort that can quietly accumulate stress if we don’t process them. Walking EMDR is a simple, on-the-go way to work through mild distress. Learning to take a compliment is more than a social skill — it’s a way to strengthen self-worth and positive belief systems. Even when the “big trauma” feels more urgent, small wins in therapy can build the emotional capacity needed for deeper work. Self-care isn’t just bubble baths and meditation — it can also be clearing away the little irritations before they pile up. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback: Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au. Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations. Subscribe & Stay Connected: Make sure you’re following The EMDR Doctor podcast so you never miss an episode! Next week, we’ll be exploring even more ways EMDR can transform your life — from deepening your relationships to building a stronger sense of self. Each episode is packed with expert insights, real stories, and practical tools to help you on your path to recovery. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she unpacks trauma, demystifies PTSD, and shares how EMDR can support real, lasting healing.

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 happens when children grow up in households where a parent’s mental illness becomes the silent centre of the home. I talk about emotional survival, parentification, and the hidden costs of growing up too fast. It’s a deep one, but an important one. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Children of depressed parents often develop a distorted sense of responsibility, suppressing their own emotions to protect the parent. Becoming "the grown-up" too early can lead to adult issues like anxiety, boundary difficulties, people-pleasing, and sibling conflict. Secrecy and shame around mental illness can isolate children and delay healing well into adulthood. EMDR therapy can help reveal and reprocess these early childhood experiences in a safe, contained way. Healing the inner child involves validating that their needs mattered then — and still do now. Key Highlights: A client’s powerful image of her mother with depression as a "zombie" opens up a deeper conversation about how kids experience parental mental illness. Exploring the concept of children walking on emotional eggshells — not due to violence, but to avoid burdening an emotionally fragile parent. How kids often suppress their own emotional needs to survive in unstable environments. The pattern of parentification — where children become caregivers too early. Long-term emotional toll on children who appear "capable" on the outside but carry heavy internal burdens. Shame, secrecy, and fear surrounding parental mental illness — and how EMDR helps bring these "zombies" out of the cupboard safely and begin to heal. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback: Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au. Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations. Subscribe & Stay Connected: Make sure you’re following The EMDR Doctor podcast so you never miss an episode! Next week, we’re diving even deeper into how EMDR can shape your healing, your relationships, and your sense of self.\ Each episode is packed with expert insights, real stories, and practical tools to help you on your path to recovery. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she unpacks trauma, demystifies PTSD, and shares how EMDR can support real, lasting healing.

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 scenes — we explore how horror movies, like real-life traumas, can lodge themselves into our nervous systems. And how EMDR — and the power of imagination — can help shift even the stuff that doesn’t technically “happen to us.” Whether you’ve had a horror movie moment, lived through someone else’s trauma story, or are curious about how EMDR works with imagined and vicarious trauma — this one’s for you. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Trauma doesn’t have to come from “real life” — imagined or second-hand experiences (like horror movies or others’ traumatic stories) can leave a lasting impact The brain doesn’t always know the difference between what’s real and what’s vividly imagined — and that’s where EMDR can help Our imagination can retraumatise… but it can also heal Intergenerational and vicarious trauma are real — and EMDR can support those experiences too Even birth trauma can show up like a horror movie in our nervous system — whether we lived it or just heard it Key Highlights: Dr. Caroline shares a personal story of horror movie trauma (and how long it stayed with her!) Why certain life stages (like adolescence or stressful times) make us more vulnerable to trauma How imagination-based techniques in EMDR help “rewrite” traumatic scenes The impact of intergenerational trauma and vicarious trauma — even when the event wasn’t ours Why horror movie-like stories around birth can be traumatising for women Upcoming webinar on EMDR and birth trauma in partnership with Moms Matter Psychology Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback: Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au. Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations. Subscribe & Stay Connected: Don’t miss next week’s episode — we’ll be exploring even more about how EMDR can shape our lives and relationships. You won’t want to miss the insights. Follow The EMDR Doctor podcast to stay in the loop with expert chats, inspiring stories, and practical takeaways for your healing journey. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she demystifies PTSD and provides hope for recovery, showing that healing is possible with the right tools and support. 

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 making the cup of tea afterward — you might be wondering how to help without doing too much, or getting it wrong. So, I’m walking you through what that support can look like. From giving space to being present, from what not to say, to how to simply sit beside someone with kindness. EMDR can be intense, and the healing doesn’t stop when the session ends. This episode is for anyone who's ever thought: "I want to help. I just don’t know how." You're not alone — and you're doing better than you think. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Healing doesn’t end when the EMDR session does — support afterward really matters. You don’t need to fix anything; just being present is often the most powerful support. It’s okay to not have the perfect words — calm, quiet presence goes a long way. Respect the person’s pace — some people want to talk, others need space. Supporting someone through trauma healing is brave, gentle work in itself. Key Highlights: Why EMDR can leave people feeling emotional, spaced out, or physically tired How to support your loved one when they need quiet, sleep, or time to process What to avoid saying after EMDR (even with the best of intentions) Ways to check in gently — and how to let them lead the pace The power of being a safe, calm presence in someone’s healing journey Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback: Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au. Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations. Subscribe & Stay Connected: Don’t miss next week’s episode — we’ll be exploring even more about how EMDR can shape our lives and relationships. You won’t want to miss the insights. Follow The EMDR Doctor podcast to stay in the loop with expert chats, inspiring stories, and practical takeaways for your healing journey. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she demystifies PTSD and provides hope for recovery, showing that healing is possible with the right tools and support. 

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 asking, “Why do I have to feel the pain to move forward?” — this one’s for you. We’re diving into the hidden costs of avoidance, how trauma sneaks into our present, and how EMDR helps us build something radical and empowering: self-trust. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The ‘Bear Hunt’ metaphor: Why you can’t avoid trauma — and how going through it leads to real healing Avoidance as a trauma strategy: Helpful short-term, but exhausting and limiting in the long run The black box effect: How suppressed trauma leaks out as anxiety, phobias, OCD-like behaviours and more The emotional payoff of EMDR: Not just healing the memory, but reclaiming trust in yourself Self-trust as freedom: Once you know you can face the hard stuff, you unlock hope, strength, and a future that feels possible again Key Highlights: Why avoidance makes sense — and why it keeps us stuck How trauma can quietly influence daily life in unexpected ways What it really means to go “through” the memory, not just talk about it How EMDR can transform painful memories into something manageable and safe Why working through trauma restores trust in yourself, and how that changes everything Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback: Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au. Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations. Subscribe & Stay Connected: Don’t miss next week’s episode — we’ll be exploring even more about how EMDR can shape our lives and relationships. You won’t want to miss the insights. Follow The EMDR Doctor podcast to stay in the loop with expert chats, inspiring stories, and practical takeaways for your healing journey. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she demystifies PTSD and provides hope for recovery, showing that healing is possible with the right tools and support. Thanks for listening!

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. Caroline paints a vivid picture of how trauma lives in our body and mind — and how EMDR helps gently deflate, unburden, and rewire. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why trauma keeps resurfacing no matter how hard we try to suppress it The “beach ball” metaphor: how trauma slaps us in the face when least expected The “wheelbarrow” metaphor: why life feels so heavy and how trauma therapy can lighten the load How EMDR works to safely process and resolve painful memories What it feels like during and after an EMDR session (think: trains, tunnels, and snow globes) The importance of processing trauma, not just managing symptoms Key Highlights: Beach ball analogy: Suppressing trauma takes effort. EMDR releases pressure, making memories less overwhelming. Wheelbarrow metaphor: Everyone carries something. Whether it's sand, pebbles, or boulders—EMDR helps lighten the emotional load. Train + tunnel imagery: EMDR may feel like a train ride through difficult terrain, but there’s a light at the end — and you don’t have to go it alone. Catalogue flipping: Trauma memories may feel scattered, but EMDR helps sort, understand, and file them away. Snow globe effect: Post-session processing is real. Be gentle with yourself as things settle. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback: Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au. Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations. Subscribe & Stay Connected: Don’t miss next week’s episode — we’ll be diving even deeper into how EMDR helps us show up more fully in our lives and relationships. From healing old attachment wounds to rebuilding trust, it’s a powerful episode filled with insights you won’t want to miss. Follow The EMDR Doctor podcast to stay in the loop — each week brings expert tips, inspiring stories, and practical tools to support your healing journey. You’re not alone, and healing is possible. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she demystifies PTSD and provides hope for recovery, showing that healing is possible with the right tools and support. Thanks for listening!

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 struggles. In this episode, I’m breaking down why avoidance is such a key feature of PTSD, how our earliest experiences shape the way we see ourselves today, and why healing can’t really happen unless we gently revisit and process those memories. It’s not about reliving the pain — it’s about finding the freedom on the other side of it. Let’s talk about how trauma-informed therapy helps us do exactly that. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why people often avoid thinking about their past — and how this shows up as part of PTSD. How past experiences shape current anxiety, self-beliefs, and mental health. Why healing requires revisiting the past — but only with the right support and approach. The role of EMDR and other trauma-informed therapies in helping process painful memories safely. That we can’t truly believe positive things about ourselves without addressing the negative beliefs we’ve carried since childhood. Key Highlights: The common misconception: “My anxiety is about now — why dig up the past?” A simple breakdown of the three main components of PTSD. Caroline’s personal story about a violin teacher’s comment and how it impacted her belief system for decades. The importance of understanding the origin of our negative self-beliefs. A shout-out to the bravery of clients who face their trauma head-on. Why repeating mantras and logic-based CBT techniques can’t fully replace trauma processing. The power of EMDR and other modalities to bring true, lasting change. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Lloyd’s Heal Your Past online EMDR program – Register at emdrdoctor.com.au/heal Research on PTSD treatments and why EMDR is faster and more effective than traditional talk therapy for trauma Contact and Feedback: Thinking about trying EMDR for PTSD? Reach out to Dr. Lloyd at emdrdoctor.com.au. Note: This podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised recommendations. Subscribe & Stay Connected: Don’t miss next week’s episode — we’ll be exploring even more about how EMDR can shape our lives and relationships. You won’t want to miss the insights. Follow The EMDR Doctor podcast to stay in the loop with expert chats, inspiring stories, and practical takeaways for your healing journey. Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she demystifies PTSD and provides hope for recovery, showing that healing is possible with the right tools and support. Thanks for listening!