In this EMDR special episode, I’m joined by Michelle Anderson, a former NSW Ambulance Paramedic who now works as a trauma therapist specialising in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing).
After 21 years on the job and her own battle with PTSD, Michelle made the courageous shift into mental health—retraining as a social worker and now helping others heal in her private practice on the NSW South Coast.
We talk about Michelle’s frontline career, her lived experience with PTSD, and how EMDR has not only transformed her life, but the lives of so many first responders she now works with. Michelle breaks down how EMDR works, what makes it so effective (especially for those of us with multiple traumas), and how she now offers 5-day intensives—often fully covered by workers comp for eligible emergency service workers in NSW.
This is a must-listen for first responders, veterans, and anyone supporting them. It’s full of practical insight, deep empathy, and a reminder that healing is absolutely possible—even after the hardest calls.
** Content Warning **
Due to the nature of this Podcast and the discussions that I have with Guests, I feel it's important to underline that there may be content within the episodes that have the potential to cause harm. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, please contact one of the services below for support.
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Roll With The Punches Podcast Episode 820
Everyday Warriors Podcast Episode 16
Emerge & See Podcast Episode 12
Find Michelle Anderson
https://emdrtraumaclinic.com.au/
Mental Health Resources:
000 - Concerns for someone's immediate welfare, please call 000 (Australia)
RUOK? - Resources https://www.ruok.org.au/every-day-resources
LIFELINE, Crisis Support & Suicide Prevention - 13 11 14 - https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636 - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
1800 Respect, Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence Counselling - 1800 737 732 -https://www.1800respect.org.au/
Suicide Call Back Service, 24hr free video & online counselling - 1300 659 467 -https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/
Blue Knot, Empowering Recovery from Complex Trauma - 1300 650 380 - https://blueknot.org.au/
Head Space, National Youth Mental Health Foundation - https://www.headspace.com/
Black Dog Institute - https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
Kids Helpline (24/7, for youth 5-25) 1800 55 1800 - https://kidshelpline.com.au/
Support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - 13 YARN (24/7) 13 92 76 - https://www.13yarn.org.au/
MensLine (24/7) 1300 78 99 78 - https://mensline.org.au/
QLife (3pm-midnight) 1800 184 527 - Anonymous, free LGBTI support - https://qlife.org.au/
