Overview

Chronic pain/somatic problems is the leading cause of years lost to disability. Psychological factors are recognized as an important component but have proven resistant to traditional methods.

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) is an integrative trauma therapy which is part of a trend recognizing the role of traumatic stressors and brain functioning in mental health problems. A core element of EMDR is a focusing process involving dual focus/bilateral stimulation. Perhaps because of its reliance on non-verbal strategies to alter physiological responses associated with psychological problems, the method can reduce subjective levels of pain associated with disability.

EMDR has also been found to achieve results more efficiently than traditional methods (less ‘homework’ fewer hours of treatment). The method is attracting increasing research with over 9 randomized controlled trials (RCT’s) to date. A recent meta-analysis found that EMDR met the criteria for level 2/3 evidence-based method.

This activity will disseminate current research status of EMDR and relevant elements in the treatment of chronic pain and somatic problems associated with a variety of psychological conditions.

Level of Learning

Intermediate. This activity is targeted to those who have some previous learning on the topic.

Duration of access

Access to the recordings and presenter slides is for 12 months from the date of confirmed registration.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process.

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Activity details

• On-demand webinar recording.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• articulate a trauma-informed conceptualisation of chronic pain and somatic symptom presentations,

• apply key EMDR components and procedures that enhance treatment effectiveness for individuals experiencing chronic pain, and 

• explain how EMDR can be integrated with complementary therapeutic approaches to support comprehensive intervention planning.

Presenter(s)

Mark Grant MAPS

About the presenter(s)

Mark Grant is an Australian psychologist/researcher with 30 years of clinical experience. He has pioneered trauma-informed treatment of chronic pain and MUS with EMDR and lately, hypnosis. He co-authored a chapter regarding EMDR treatment of pain for the Oxford University Press Handbook of EMDR (2024). Drawing on developments from dissociation, neurobiology and somatic psychology he has developed a trauma-informed model cumulating in an evidence-based treatment manual (‘Pain Control with EMDR). He has also created numerous self-help resources for sufferers of trauma and pain including the ‘Healing Traumatic Stress’ app series, which were the subject of the first RCT of mobile apps based on EMDR (Grant et al, 2025). Mark is a member of the ISSTD (International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation).