Echoes Through Time: Insights from Dr. Derek Farrell at the EMDR Canada Conference
- Kristy McConnell, R. Psych.
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
Recently, I had the privilege of attending the EMDR Canada Conference along with my colleagues Jolene and Karli, where Dr. Derek Farrell shared his profound insights on trauma, healing, and the transformative power of EMDR therapy. We're excited to share some of these learnings with our community.
The Echoes of Trauma
One concept that particularly resonated with us was Dr. Farrell's description of trauma symptoms as "echoes that travel through time." This beautiful metaphor helps us understand that often, it's not just the traumatic events themselves that affect us, but the reverberations they leave behind.
These echoes manifest as intrusive images, uncomfortable body sensations, difficult emotions, and limiting beliefs that continue to influence our present experiences. By framing trauma this way, Dr. Farrell offers a compassionate perspective that acknowledges how the past can continue to shape our present, while also suggesting that—like echoes—these experiences can eventually fade with proper care.
The Four Attributes of EMDR Therapy
Dr. Farrell outlined the four key attributes of effective EMDR therapy:
Set-up: This foundational phase involves psychoeducation about trauma and EMDR, establishing a strong therapeutic relationship, and thorough preparation. This creates the safety necessary for healing work to begin.
Activate: In this phase, we locate the "echoes" in the here and now—identifying how past experiences are still influencing present thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Stimulate: Using dual attention stimulation (the bilateral movement component of EMDR), we help the brain reconsolidate memories, integrating them with healthier beliefs and perspectives.
Integrate: Finally, we work to integrate this new information, helping clients construct meaning from their experiences and move forward with greater wholeness.
The Power of Therapeutic Silence
One particularly moving aspect of Dr. Farrell's presentation was his discussion of therapeutic silence. There are profound moments in therapy when a client shares something they've never told anyone before, and the revelation simply lands in the space between client and therapist.
In these sacred moments, words are unnecessary. Simply holding that space in silence can be incredibly powerful and healing. This reminds us that therapy isn't always about having the right words or techniques, but about being fully present with another human being in their vulnerability.
Understanding PTSD and Moral Injury
Dr. Farrell made an important distinction between PTSD and moral injury, explaining how they often occur in the absence of love, power, security, or predictability, but manifest differently in our brains and experiences.
PTSD has, in the past, emphasized the role of fear in the development and maintenance of PTSD symptoms. Traditional models connect it neurologically to the amygdala—our brain's fear center—which explains symptoms like hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, and avoidance behaviors that often accompany PTSD. This fear-based understanding has been central to how we've conceptualized trauma responses.
Moral Injury, by contrast, isn't primarily fear-based. It activates the prefrontal cortex—the part of our brain responsible for meaning-making. Moral injury affects our character and sense of self, often resulting from:
Organizational betrayal
Witnessing immoral acts
Personal transgression
Unavoidable or unresolvable moral conflict
Understanding these differences helps therapists tailor treatment approaches more effectively to address the specific type of trauma a client has experienced.
Hope for Healing
Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Farrell emphasized that both PTSD and moral injury can be effectively treated with EMDR therapy. Through understanding the compassionate mind and connecting it to a person's identity, EMDR can help build inner compassion and facilitate healing.
This process involves recognizing our shared humanity, developing self-kindness, and gradually transforming our relationship with difficult experiences. Rather than being defined by trauma, we can integrate these experiences into a larger, more compassionate life narrative.
Final Thoughts
It was truly valuable for our team—myself, Jolene, and Karli—to learn from Dr. Farrell, whose clinical expertise and engaging English humour made for a memorable learning experience. His research helps us better understand how trauma affects us and how EMDR can effectively address both PTSD and moral injury.
At our practice, we're excited to incorporate these insights into our work. If you're experiencing effects from past trauma, we're here to help with approaches informed by the latest research in trauma treatment.
Here are a few of his research articles:
Wippich, A., Howatson, G., Allen-Baker, G., Farrell, D., Kiernan, M., & Scott-Bell, A. (2024). Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing as a Treatment for PTSD in Conflict-Affected Areas. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 16(S3), S561–S567. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001430
Gettings, R. D., Kirtley, J., Wilson-Menzfeld, G., Oxburgh, G. E., Farrell, D., & Kiernan, M. D. (2022). Exploring the Role of Social Connection in Interventions With Military Veterans Diagnosed With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Systematic Narrative Review. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 873885. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.873885