Workshops

Workshop Overview

This workshop explores how attachment theory can be integrated into Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Attendees will learn how different attachment patterns influence case conceptualisation, preparation, and processing phases, as well as how to navigate challenges in working with clients who have insecure attachment styles.

The workshop will be recorded, and the recording made available to participants for 3 months post training.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will:

• Understand key concepts of attachment theory and its relevance to EMDR.
• Identify challenges in Phase 1 history-taking with clients who have insecure attachment styles.
• Develop strategies to enhance coherence and reflective function in clients with metacognitive deficits.
• Apply tailored preparation techniques in Phase 2 for different attachment styles.
• Address specific difficulties that arise during the reprocessing phase for clients with insecure attachment.
• Reflect on the therapist’s own attachment style and its impact on the therapeutic process.

About Anabel Gonzalez

Anabel González, MD, PhD is a highly respected psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and researcher specializing in trauma, dissociation, and emotional regulation. Dr. González serves as the President of the EMDR Spanish Association and is an accredited EMDR trainer. She leads the Trauma and Dissociation Program at the University Hospital of A Coruña (CHUAC), where she supports patients with severe trauma. As a dedicated educator, she provides specialized training on dissociative disorders, attachment, and emotional processing. She also lectures in the Master of EMDR Therapy at the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED). A PhD in Medicine and specialist in Criminology, Dr. González is deeply involved in research, mentoring doctoral candidates at the University of A Coruña and leading multiple projects on trauma and EMDR therapy. She has published numerous articles and is the author/co-author of several influential books, including

• Its not Me: Understanding Complex Trauma, Attachment, and Dissociation 
• EMDR and Emotional Processing: Working with Severely Dysregulated Patients 
• EMDR and Dissociation: The Progressive Approach 
• Borderline Personality Disorder and EMDR Therapy

This Cognitive Assessment Supervision Group is suitable for Provisional Psychologists or Registered Psychologists who want hands-on experience and training in how to assess and interpret cognitive tests.

The training is run by Ms Nicole Sudmalis – a Registered Psychologist and Clinical Psychologist Registrar with expertise and interest in cognitive assessments. Nicole is an AHPRA Board approved supervisor, and the training can be counted as group supervision for Provisional Psychologist registration purposes. This training will be hands on, and participants will be given opportunities to practice the assessment tools including the administration of the WISC and WAIS with iPad administration (Q interactive). Attendees will be involved in discussions and practice at interpreting data and applying this in their assessment and diagnosis of a client. Attendees will also be provided with extra resources to assist with building their own clinical practice in cognitive assessment.

Each supervision session will:

• Be tailored to the groups’ learning needs, goals and interests (with a range of additional optional topics and tests covered by request)
• include access to resources/information, group discussions, and case presentations
• Include test practice
• involve hands on practice of administering, scoring and interpreting each test, and understanding the use of tests for clinical and diagnostic assessments.