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" or "Wrong" Way to Do EMDR:

EMDR is not about mastering a skill or "getting it right."

Each session is unique and cannot be replicated — your experience may shift from one session to the next.

Why People Want to "Get It Right":

Many feel pressure to heal quickly or fear they might do something "wrong."

Perfectionism and anxiety about making mistakes can drive this worry.

The Real Preparation for EMDR:

The best way to prepare is to practice allowing your thoughts to flow freely — not controlling or avoiding them.

This is not mindfulness but a process of letting your brain go where it needs to go.

If Letting Thoughts Flow Feels Too Hard:

That’s okay! It’s not a failure — it’s simply a reflection of your trauma response.

Your therapist will tailor the process to meet you where you are.

EMDR Preparation Exercises:

Common exercises like the container exercise, calm place, or protective figure can help with regulation.

However, there is no mandatory homework — these are optional tools for in-between sessions.

Dissociation and EMDR:

EMDR can still be effective if you experience dissociation.

Your therapist will work gradually, starting with smaller, less intense memories to build your capacity.

Key Highlights:

Why there's no "perfect" way to prepare for EMDR.

How to release the pressure of getting it "right."

Practical tips for allowing your thoughts to flow.

The role of preparation exercises and why they’re optional.

How EMDR adapts to your unique experience — even if dissociation is part of your trauma response.

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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 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 individuals process trauma, reframe harmful beliefs, and heal. She reassures listeners that while healing takes time, transformation is absolutely possible.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

The key differences between PTSD and Complex PTSD (CPTSD)

How CPTSD affects emotions, self-perception, and relationships

Why early relational trauma (especially from caregivers) has a deep impact

How coping mechanisms (like dissociation, self-harm, and substance use) develop from trauma

How EMDR therapy works to reprocess trauma and shift long-held negative beliefs

Why healing from CPTSD is possible, though it takes time and patience

Key Highlights:

PTSD vs. CPTSD – PTSD is often from a single traumatic event, while CPTSD comes from repeated or prolonged trauma, often in childhood and involving betrayal.

Emotional Regulation Issues – Those with CPTSD may feel overwhelmed by emotions or completely shut down, struggling to find balance.

Self-Perception Struggles – Many people with CPTSD feel broken, unlovable, or worthless, believing these thoughts as absolute truths.

Relationship Challenges – Trust issues, fear of abandonment, and emotional detachment make forming and maintaining relationships difficult.

Coping Mechanisms – Behaviors like dissociation, self-harm, eating disorders, and substance use often develop as survival strategies.

EMDR Therapy’s Impact – EMDR helps rewire negative beliefs, addressing not just single traumatic memories but also deep-seated emotional patterns.

Healing Takes Time – CPTSD treatment isn’t instant, but progress is possible with the right support and therapy.

Message of Hope – "You are not broken; you are someone who survived." Healing and thriving are achievable.

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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 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 explains the three core symptoms of PTSD—hypervigilance, re-experiencing, and avoidance—and how they can show up in day-to-day life. She also explores how EMDR can effectively treat PTSD, helping people regain control and reduce distressing symptoms.

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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 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 some surprising connections between trauma, neurodiversity, and imagination.

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Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she demystifies aphantasia, memory processing, and EMDR, proving that healing is possible—even without visualisation. Thanks for listening!

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 confidentiality, this episode will give you all the answers you need.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

Key Highlights:

Who Is Group EMDR Not Suitable For?

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Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she explains how group EMDR can be a powerful, private, and effective way to process trauma, offering healing in a structured yet flexible format. Thanks for listening!

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 remove the “weeds” of trauma while planting and nurturing the “seeds” of new, positive beliefs.

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Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she explores the power of post-traumatic growth, showing how healing trauma isn’t just about feeling better—but about building a life beyond survival. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of the EMDR Doctor Podcast, Dr. Caroline Lloyd expands the conversation beyond EMDR to explore how other therapeutic approaches can complement and enhance trauma recovery.

From cognitive and body-based therapies to creative modalities, Dr. Lloyd discusses the unique strengths of various treatments and how they can integrate seamlessly with EMDR to create a holistic healing experience.

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Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she showcases the power of integrating therapies to enhance trauma recovery and create a more holistic path to healing. Thanks for listening!

In this thought-provoking episode of the EMDR Doctor Podcast, Dr. Caroline Lloyd delves into the complex and pervasive topic of intergenerational trauma. With compassion and clarity, she explains how the unresolved traumas of previous generations can influence our beliefs, behaviours, and emotional experiences today.

Dr. Lloyd discusses how EMDR therapy can be a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of inherited trauma, allowing individuals to create a new legacy for themselves and their families.

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Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she helps you understand and heal the invisible wounds of intergenerational trauma, paving the way for a healthier, more empowered future.

In this episode of the EMDR Doctor Podcast, Dr. Caroline Lloyd dives into the fascinating and often misunderstood topic of dissociation. Dr. Lloyd explains how dissociation, a natural and protective brain function, helps individuals cope with overwhelming situations. From mild forms like daydreaming to more complex manifestations, she sheds light on the spectrum of dissociative experiences and their relevance in mental health and trauma therapy.

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Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she demystifies dissociation, offering practical strategies and compassionate understanding for navigating this powerful brain function. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of the EMDR Doctor Podcast, Dr. Caroline Lloyd tackles one of the most common questions clients have: Am I doing EMDR right? Dr. Lloyd explains why there’s no “wrong” way to process during EMDR and reassures listeners that every experience is valid and unique. She provides practical insights into the different ways clients process memories, emotions, and sensations during therapy and shares how therapists adapt to individual needs.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

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Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she dispels fears and empowers listeners to trust their individual journeys with EMDR therapy. Thanks for listening!