The EMDR Doctor Podcast

• Horror Hollywood Trauma

  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.

  --------  

  13:42

  --------

  13:42
• 40. How to help after an EMDR session

  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.

  --------  

  14:55

  --------

  14:55
• 39. EMDR and the bear hunt

  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!

  --------  

  7:29

  --------

  7:29
• 38. EMDR Metaphors - snowglobes, beachballs and wheelbarrows

  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!

  --------  

  12:16

  --------

  12:16
• 37. Why do I have to rake over the past?

  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!

  --------  

  9:56

  --------

  9:56

More Health & Wellness podcasts

Trending Health & Wellness podcasts

About The EMDR Doctor Podcast