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EMDR THERAPY
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychological therapy designed to help people process and heal from distressing memories, trauma, and other overwhelming life experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess stored memories, reducing their emotional intensity and impact. EMDR therapy is widely recognised for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and phobias, and is recommended by leading mental health organisations worldwide. At Connected Minds Psychology in Collingwood, Melbourne, our EMDR-trained practitioners support clients to safely work through trauma and move towards recovery, resilience, and wellbeing.
Our EMDR-Trained Practitioners
We are proud to have experienced psychologists at Connected Minds who are trained in EMDR therapy.
Dr Stephanie Louise, PhD., MAPS
Board Approved Supervisor
Pronouns: She/Her
Stephanie is a director and co-founder of Connected Minds, Clinical Psychologist an Adjunct Research Fellow at Swinburne University of Technology. With a PhD in mindfulness for mental health, Stephanie is passionate about positive psychology and helping people navigate their way toward a healthy and meaningful life. She utilises a range of therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR, and Schema Therapy. Stephanie also has a special interest in perinatal mental health. Stephanie has developed wellbeing and resilience training programs that have been used in organisations within Australia and around the world.
Lucy McLean, MPsych.
Pronouns: They/Them She/Her
Lucy is a queer Clinical Psychologist from Aotearoa New Zealand. Lucy takes a person-centred and systems-informed approach to therapy. They work closely with clients and their loved ones to develop a shared understanding of their experience and how social processes such as discrimination may have contributed to this. Lucy collaboratively works with clients to develop a shared plan for supporting their wellbeing and helping them to flourish. They use a mixture of different therapeutic modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), EMDR, and relational mapping. Lucy has particular experience working with teenagers and young adults in public and private settings.
Chris Baumgartner, MPsych.
Pronouns: He/Him
Chris is a Registered Psychologist with experience across a range of public and private mental health settings. In his practice, Chris aims at assisting and empowering individuals that are seeking deep and abiding change. Chris’ warm, approachable manner has assisted people from a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds, always allowing space for humour and self-expression. Chris’ therapeutic approach centres around curiosity, open-mindedness, and authenticity, and focuses on the psychological roots of a person’s suffering. For some individuals this will involve examining early life events and recurrent behavioural patterns with an emphasis on self-exploration and self-discovery. Chris is proficient with a range of different treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, EMDR, and Mindfulness, allowing him to utilise an integrative treatment approach. Chris is experienced assisting clients experiencing depression, anxiety, panic, social anxiety, relationship distress, performance anxiety, grief, loss, interpersonal difficulties, self/existential dilemmas, workplace difficulties, and career transitions. Prior to becoming a Psychologist Chris spent over 15 years working in the finance industry, as well as nearly a decade competing in semi-professional
sport.
Monica Perkins, MPsych.
Pronouns: She/Her
Monica is a Registered Psychologist and Clinical Psychology Registrar. She is passionate about mental health and wellbeing and has a warm, gentle, and non-judgemental therapeutic style. Monica has a particular interest in working alongside clients with developmental and post-traumatic stress, anxiety and panic disorders. Monica practices from a trauma-informed lens within a collaborative and person-centred framework, with the goal of supporting clients to live authentic and enriched lives. When not working at Connected Minds, Monica works in public health with members of the LGBTQIA+ community, supporting and affirming gender diverse and neurodivergent people. Monica celebrates individuality and has an eclectic style drawing on a number of evidence-based techniques such as Schema Therapy, EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Samantha Dax, MPsych.
Pronouns: She/Her
Sam is a Clinical Psychologist who brings curiosity and a non-judgemental approach to therapy, with a deep respect for the many ways we, as humans, learn to cope with life’s challenges. Sam enjoys working with both adolescents and adults, and has a keen interest in understanding how early life experiences may have shaped current functioning. She finds it a privilege to support people who have experienced adversity and trauma. Sam has experience and interest working with a variety of presenting concerns, including but not limited to; emotion dysregulation, trauma, non-suicidal self-injury, anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, disordered eating, and OCD. Sam works in a collaborative manner, meeting you where you are at. Sam draws on a number of evidence based therapeutic approaches, with the flexibility to suit each person’s individual needs. She has completed training in and utilises CBT, ACT, EMDR, Schema Therapy and DBT. Sam holds the therapeutic relationship in high regard, and aims to facilitate meaningful change and help individuals build a life worth living.
Alex Beaconsfield, MPsych.
Pronouns: He/Him
Alex is a registered psychologist and a Sport and Exercise Psychology registrar who brings a grounded, compassionate, and warm presence to his work. He is passionate about helping people build psychological flexibility and strengthen the connection between mind and body to support growth, wellbeing, and performance. Alex offers a practical, collaborative, and strengths-based approach, grounded in curiosity and respect for each person’s unique context. He often works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, perfectionism, difficulties with focus and concentration, challenges with emotional regulation, and adjustment to significant life changes. He has a special interest in supporting those navigating high-stress environments, performance anxiety, low self-confidence, identity concerns, and the psychological impact of injury or physical health conditions. Alex draws on evidence-based modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness based strategies to support meaningful and sustainable change. His experience in elite sport and performing arts brings a unique perspective to his practice.
Donna Reilly, MPsych.
Pronouns:
Donna is a registered psychologist who aims to build a safe and collaborative therapeutic relationship with her clients. She does this through meeting clients where they are, without judgement, just openness and curiosity. She enjoys working with clients to find meaning and purpose in their lives by living in accordance with their values.
Therapy doesn’t have to be serious all the time, therefore, Donna takes a relaxed approach to sessions, sometimes using humour to share in the lighter side of life.
Donna works with older adolescents and adults to manage some of life’s challenges. She appreciates working with people from all walks of life and feels grateful to always be learning from the clients she engages with. Donna has particular interest working with anxiety, depression, relationship/interpersonal challenges, stress, trauma, navigating self-identity and building self-esteem and perinatal mental health. Donna utilises evidence-based therapies including CBT, ACT, DBT and Schema Therapy, whilst weaving in an interpersonal approach.
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Daniel Lichtman,
MPsych. (candidate)
Pronouns: He/Him
Daniel is a provisional psychologist with over 15 years of experience as a psychotherapist. He holds a Master’s in Buddhist and Mindfulness-Based Counselling Psychology and is trained in and works with a range of evidence-based approaches including, Gestalt, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), PACT relationship therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR and Emotion-Focused therapy. He supports clients to navigate personal and professional relationship challenges, resolve trauma, and address uncomfortable emotions. His style is warm, supportive and direct, integrating mindfulness and attachment-based approaches to foster emotional resilience, self-awareness, and meaningful growth.