Frequently Asked Questions

EMDR is an effective approach to psychotherapy that accelerates the treatment of a wide range of pathologies and self-esteem issues related to upsetting past traumatic events and present life conditions. Since 2013, EMDR is one of two treatments recommended by the World Health Organisation for the treatment of trauma related problems such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). EMDR is safe and effective with children and adults.

EMDR is effective in helping reduce common symptoms including sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, flashbacks, nightmares and hyper-alertness. Often, these are only the tip of the iceberg of changes resulting from traumatic events.

EMDR group interventions, like individual EMDR, can reactivate the brain’s innate healing system if it has been overwhelmed. EMDR group work does not require participants to talk about the disturbing events during the group session. Voluntary sharing of positive aspects about a person’s life and the future they hope for is encouraged, but not the traumatic event itself. Group EMDR can be tailored for all ages and stages of life, from young children to tamariki, whānau, and adults.

Two trained EMDR group facilitators provide a structured and safe therapeutic environment. Groups are conducted online or in-person and follow a structured format. Participants are asked to complete a worksheet during the group session. All processing occurs on the worksheet, and there is no sharing of personal information during the session, not even with the psychologists.

The intention of an EMDR group session is to create balance, control, and the ability to deal with the next challenge ahead following a traumatic event. The session can help to prevent complications and build resilience, aiding your natural recovery process. Group EMDR is designed to be preventative – addressing accumulative stress symptoms and acute stress reactions before there is potential for more severe trauma related disorders to develop – such as PTSD.

There is no discussion of the traumatic event or any associated events during group EMDR sessions.

Group EMDR originated from disaster management situations such as humanitarian and natural disasters. It has a diverse evidence base supporting its efficacy and effectiveness for reducing symptoms of accumulative stress, acute stress, and traumatic stress disorders. It is now used around the world in a variety of humanitarian aid contexts.

Early EMDR interventions are shown in research to reduce current suffering, as well as prevent a later onset of more severe difficulties. Participants who have experienced recent traumas can benefit just as much as those who have experienced traumas years ago. Children as young as 2 years old can attend our sessions with their parents, and older children can participate independently, allowing the parents to focus on their own recovery.

Trauma Aid Ltd. is a registered charity (CC61603) dedicated to improving mental health outcomes across Aotearoa New Zealand by providing effective, evidence-based psychological therapy when and where it is needed. We specialise in delivering EMDR therapy to communities following large-scale events such as natural disasters or manmade mass-casualty events.

Our volunteer mental health providers are all registered health professionals, including clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers. We also accept counsellors as volunteers on a limited basis. All volunteer mental health providers are required to carry their own professional liability insurance and are instructed to only work within their professional scope of practice. All work done at Trauma Aid events is overseen by clinical psychologists. Trauma Aid also encourages volunteers who are not mental health providers to contact us at info@traumaaid.org.nz - we could always use your help in coordinating our next therapy event!

How about you? We are accepting expressions of interest from people with experience in governance, fundraising, and management of not-for-profits. Contact us at info@traumaaid.org.nz for more information.