Description:
OPD Points: 5
Working with trauma requires not only evidence-based intervention, but also a contextual awareness of the environments in which trauma occurs. In this insightful presentation, Professor Gill Eagle, renowned clinical psychologist and trauma expert, explores best practice approaches to working with clients experiencing posttraumatic stress, with a particular emphasis on cognitive-behavioural strategies and EMDR.
Professor Eagle unpacks the core components that make these modalities effective, equipping clinicians with a clear focus on what matters most in trauma treatment. Drawing on her extensive experience in high-trauma contexts, including South Africa, she also explores the complexities of working with continuous traumatic stress, intergroup trauma, and culturally relevant approaches to care.
The session concludes with an important focus on vicarious trauma and self-care, offering practical tools for psychologists to maintain their own wellbeing while working in emotionally demanding settings.
Key Learning Objectives / Outcomes:
By the end of this CPD session, participants will be able to:
Identify core, evidence-based components of trauma therapy using CBT and EMDR approaches.
Understand how to adapt trauma-focused interventions to clients experiencing ongoing or cumulative traumatic stress.
Recognise the impact of sociocultural and contextual factors, including intergroup dynamics, on traumatic stress.
Apply strategies to prevent vicarious trauma and enhance practitioner wellbeing.
Reflect on ethical and clinical considerations when supporting trauma survivors in diverse settings.
Assessment:
Presenter / Provider:
Professor Gill Eagle
Presenter Qualifications:
Clinical Psychologist & Trauma Specialist
Professor Gill Eagle is a clinical psychologist, academic, and internationally respected trauma specialist. She is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, and has decades of experience in trauma research, clinical training, and psychotherapy. Her work focuses on the psychological impacts of violence, ongoing trauma, and systemic injustice, and she is known for her nuanced and compassionate approach to trauma care. Professor Eagle is also a strong advocate for practitioner wellbeing, particularly in high-stress and high-risk clinical environments.
