Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy and Psychology Interest Group

Committee Information

Below are details of the current committee and vacancies. The APS is always on the look out for members who are interested in joining a Member Group committee, to help support and promote members, the profession, and the APS. For more information about joining a Member Groups committee, click here.

Have questions? Please feel free to contact committee members via PsyCommunity direct message here or reach out to APS Member Groups via [email protected].

Co-Convener

Ms Rachael Ambler
Rachael is a clinical psychologist and EMDR consultant. She has been practising in her own private practice in Brisbane for over 20 years, with over a decade's experience in EMDR. She primarily works with individual adults, and enjoys using a variety of therapeutic approaches, including schema therapy, psychodynamic therapy, Interpersonal therapy, parts work, clinical hypnosis, and ACT. Rachael is an AHPRA approved supervisor and loves supporting both clinical psychology students at Griffith University, clinical registrars, and therapists working towards EMDR accreditation. She also has a passion for facilitating small groups and has run retreats and developed courses focusing on self-care.

Co-Convener

Mrs Elaine Bennett
I am a Registered Psychologist with a background working in public mental health services in the NSW Central West. I made the jump into private practice in 2014 when I moved to the Newcastle area. I have been associated with the APS since 2005 and have served on committees in various roles with both the Western Region branch and the Newcastle branch. The APS has been a wonderful support professionally over the years and provides a great way to network with other psychologists. In practice I use a range of therapeutic approaches, but since training in EMDR in 2016 this has been my focus. I am an EMDR Accredited Practitioner, Consultant in Training, and Co-Convenor of the APS EMDR Therapy and Psychology Interest Group.

Secretary

Mrs Suzanne Startseff

Treasurer

Mr Wa Chi Choi
Bandai Choi is a Clinical Psychologist and Social Worker with extensive experience in supporting clients facing complex challenges, including trauma, attachment issues, mood disorders, and behavioral addictions. He has a strong focus on integrating evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including EMDR, EFCT, ACT, and Schema Therapy. He has worked in various clinical settings, ranging from social welfare services to private practice, and is passionate about fostering a collaborative, client-centered approach to therapy.

Prior to his practice in Victoria, Bandai was an active member of the psychology society in Hong Kong. He served as an Associate Fellow, Treasurer, and Clinical Supervisor. His commitment to advancing psychological practice and supporting clients' well-being remains central to his work.

Committee Member

Ms Sandra Douglas

Committee Member

Dr Gayre Christie
Gayre Is originally from Scotland. He did his Honors degree and Masters degree in Educational Psychology. His PhD is from the University of QLD. The main focus of this doctorate was how we decode emotional messages.

He did his EMDR training some years ago.

He is currently president elect of the Australian Society of Hypnosis.

Gayre works as a senior psychologist with QLD Health and also has a private practice. He is interested in chronic pain and the relationship between chronic pain and early trauma. he is also interested in therapeutic complementarities. That is how, different therapeutic modalities may be used to support and compliment each other, in providing therapy and. ameliorating complex presentations. He is a Board Approved Supervisor

Committee Member

Mrs Faye Evans
Faye is an experienced Psychologist since 1990 with a demonstrated history of working in the mental health care industry. Originally from Lima-Peru, offers intervention in Spanish and English. Her strength has been in working with families and children and she is skilled in play therapy, parenting consulting, and attachment-based interventions. She has a strong psychodynamic background. Faye specialised overseas in diagnosis and assessment and currently offers Educational & Autism assessments twice a week. However, her passion is as a schema and EMDR therapist and brings together FOCUS -EMDR and Interpersonal Neurobiology to her adult work. She has a strong passion for working in group therapy and is trained in G-TEP and G-PEP, somatic interventions and mindfulness self-compassion. Currently very interested in bringing G-TEP to perinatal groups and work empowering parents.

Committee Member

Mr Aleksander Gisbert
Alec is a psychologist with national registration and professional studies from Australian and European universities. Currently a Director of Fit to Live Psychology Services, he delivers counselling through Employee Assistance Programs to a variety of companies. He has 20 years’ experience in treating anxiety, depression, pain management, relationship issues, sleep disorders and work stress, and has training in long term management of eating disorders.

He uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which is a non-drug, non-hypnotic psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, guilt, anger, and post-traumatic reactions. He also uses Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.

He handles cases of Work Development Orders for clients with financial hardship CTP claims and Workers Compensation Cases (SIRA approved).

Committee Member

Dr Belinda Harris
Belinda is the Director of Health in Mind Orange, a large psychological private practice in Orange NSW. Belinda provides psychological treatment to adults with severe and chronic mental health issues, including dissociative disorders, trauma, eating disorders and personality disorders. She is an EMDR practitioner and EMDR facilitator in training (EMDR Institute).
Belinda is passionate about contributing to the number and quality of psychologists (particularly in the central west and rural areas), through the supervision and training of provisional and registered psychologists. Belinda is also keen to promote the unity of psychologists as a profession.

Student Representative

Position vacant