EMDR Therapy for Panic Disorder, OCD and Specific Phobias

Enhance your EMDR therapy skills in this 4-hour workshop (run as two two-hour webinars) designed for EMDR-trained mental health professionals. Led by renowned EMDR therapists Dr Ad de Jongh, PhD., and Dr Suzy Matthijssen, PhD., this training will provide you with EMDR techniques to enhance treatment outcomes for Panic Disorder (PD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Specific Phobias.

Panic disorder (PD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and specific phobias are prevalent mental health conditions often associated with high levels of impairment. Not all patients with these conditions respond to traditional treatments (such as CBT), and many relapse to prior symptoms. This calls for well-considered alternative treatment strategies.

Evidence suggests that EMDR therapy can be an effective and efficient treatment for panic disorder, OCD, and specific phobias. In this training, we will explain the specifics and the existing evidence base of EMDR therapy for these conditions. We will discuss treatment strategies that may be helpful and demonstrate how to establish proper case conceptualisations and target selections to ensure successful treatment outcomes. These strategies will be illustrated with video clips of real client treatments.

Training Goals:

• Identify the dynamics and key symptoms of panic disorder, OCD, and different subtypes of specific phobias
• Be able to create a case conceptualisation for panic disorder, OCD, and specific phobias
• Have knowledge of the up-to-date scientific evidence of the use of EMDR in panic disorder, OCD, and specific phobias
• Understand the concept of “flashforwards” and their significance in treating panic disorder, OCD, and specific phobias
• Observe role-plays and instructional videos that cover the clinical performance of specific interventions

Who Should Attend:
This workshop is ideal for EMDR-trained mental health professionals looking to expand their expertise in treating Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Specific Phobias. Whether you’re a psychologist, therapist, or counsellor, this training will deepen your understanding of EMDR’s application in treating these anxiety-related conditions.

Dates and Pricing:

• 2 sessions x 2 hours each
• Price: $200 + GST AUD
• Date and Time: 25 August & 1 September 2025, 4pm – 6pm AEST  
• Recording: Available for 90 days

About the Presenters

Ad de Jongh, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Anxiety and Behaviour Disorders at the University of Amsterdam. He is also an Honorary Professor in Psychology at the School of Health Sciences of Salford University in Manchester, at the Institute of Health and Society of the University of Worcester, and at the School of Psychology of Queen’s University in Belfast. He was involved in establishing the Psychotrauma Expertise Centre (PSYTREC), where he is the head of the research department. He is an expert in the treatment of anxiety disorders and is involved in research on the efficacy of evidence-based treatments for a wide variety of patient groups, including traumatised children, people with intellectual disabilities and other complex psychiatric conditions such as psychosis. He has published more than 400 scientific articles, book chapters and books on his areas of expertise, is an approved trainer for the EMDR Europe Association and is a member of the Council of Scholars, the Future of EMDR project.

Suzy Matthijssen, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist, senior researcher, CBT consultant, EMDR Consultant and Psychotraumatherapist NtVP. She is the vice president of the Dutch EMDR association, is in the scientific committee of EMDR Europe, and is the former co-chair of the Council of Scholars, the Future of EMDR project. She is also the head of the Enhancing Trauma Treatment Institute. She is responsible for research and education as head of the PSYTREC Academy. The focus of the research she conducts is on the optimisation of trauma treatments. She is involved in research on the enhancement of trauma therapy, intensive trauma treatments, and the working mechanisms of trauma therapy.

Register Now:
Take the next step in your professional development and expand your EMDR skill set. This exclusive training is limited to a small group to ensure high-quality learning. Secure your spot today to improve your practice in trauma therapy with EMDR.