EP75 Behind the Lines: EMDR Therapy in Action; A Conversation with Matt Wesson

In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, Philippa interviews Matt Wesson, former president of EMDR Association UK, EMDR Europe senior accredited trainer/consultant, and BABCP-accredited CBT therapist with 30 years’ mental health experience across the military, NHS, industry, and private practice. Matt explains EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) as an eight-phase psychotherapy developed for PTSD and now used for wider issues (e.g., phobias, social anxiety, depression linked to bullying), noting eye movements are a key component but can be replaced with tapping, buzzers, or audio when needed. He describes his path from Royal Navy weapons engineer to Defence Mental Health Services, then private practice, EMDR training/teaching via the EMDR Academy, and current NHS forensic work in outpatient services and a Category B prison. He outlines practical challenges of prison therapy, EMDR phases (history/formulation, preparation, assessment/activation, desensitisation), and how to find EMDR via NHS talking therapies, EMDR Association UK, or private care.https://www.emdracademy.co.uk/https://emdrassociation.org.uk/Send us Fan Mail Instagram, Facebook, | Linktree