“Stop! I don’t want to think or talk about it!” – Using EMDR to work through trauma with a young person.

Marlene Chong

Clinical Psychologist, Making Connections Psychology

About this topic: What happens when you’ve been seeing a client for a while for their presenting issues,
and they unexpectedly experience a significant trauma? What happens then when you think you might have
the solution as the clinician, and the client refuses to let you get anywhere close to what they feel as it
is too threatening for them? In this case presentation, we will go through a brief background and
introduction to EMDR, and its application with a young person. We will also consider the possible impact
(or not) of the trauma on the client’s complex presentation. This case presentation will also address a
clinician’s struggles and approach in engaging an emotionally avoidant young person who has experienced a
trauma and the impact of the trauma on the individual and her family.
About the presenter: Marlene Chong is a clinical psychologist with Making Connections Psychology in St
Peters. She completed her Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) at the University of Queensland, and her
Masters in Clinical Psychology at Macquarie University. Marlene’s masters research topic looked at
autobiographical memory in trauma within an undergraduate population. Clinically, Marlene’s experience lies predominantly within the Child and Family area, having worked in Singapore within the child protection
and juvenile justice systems, conducting research with rural families looking at factors in conduct
disorder, working with a large migrant population in a Child and Youth Mental Health Service, and an early
intervention service for families whose children have been exposed to neglect and/or abuse and at risk of
harm. Marlene uses a myriad of approaches in her treatment, such as cognitive behavioural therapy,
acceptance and commitment therapy, attachment-based therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and
Reprocessing (EMDR) and mindfulness-based strategies. Marlene is a certified Circle of Security
Parenting (COS-P) practitioner, a foundational Theraplay practitioner, and is Phase I certified in the
Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT). As a therapist, Marlene works within the attachment
framework and believes that connections and relationships are key components in helping families and
individuals overcome their difficulties. Marlene currently works with individuals across the lifespan in
private practice and has always been curious about the impact of developmental trauma on client
presentations, regardless of age.
When: Tuesday 28th May 2024
Time: 7:00pm food, 7:30pm to 9:00pm presentation
Where: The Nags Head
162 St Johns Rd, Glebe
Cost: $40 includes finger food
Registration: https://events.humanitix.com/anxiety-practitioners-network-case-night-tue-may-28th-2024-7-00pm
Registration closes: 21st May 2024
Further Information: Brian O’Grady
Tel: 0412 220 145