Prof Derek Farrell MBE
Reducing the global impact of psychological trauma by promoting the integration and accessibility of EMDR Therapy and AIP-based training.
EMDR humanitarian programs began in 1995 in the US and Europe, taking the healing power of EMDR therapy to communities in need. While training a number of clinicians and deploying volunteers for capacity building, it is evident that is not enough to meet the demand for services. EMDR therapists are taking the lead in developing AIP-based first aid treatments that can be taught to community members who can help immediately after a crisis and respond with evidence-based services while being supported by EMDR therapists who can work with complex caseloads. Trauma Aid International was previously known as Trauma Aid Europe and has changed the name to incorporate other services on a global scale.
As President of Trauma Aid International, Derek will share how EMDR knowledge is being developed to provide AIP-based psychological first aid by para-professionals and community support workers when a crisis occurs for individuals and groups.
With a wealth of information from years of experience in expanding the humanitarian outreach of EMDR, he will be share how the TRNA can become part of this international movement engaging our Australian-based EMDR community. In addition to providing information on the curriculum for teaching others how to use AIP-based skills, Derek is an engaging and compassionate speaker about the future of EMDR globally and the role Australia can play.
Open to allied health professionals and mental health clinicians - the program will be recorded and provided to those who are unavailable to watch on the day.
Prof Derek Farrell MBE is a Professor in Trauma Psychology and Veterans Affairs at the University of Northumbria (Newcastle), and Queen's University Belfast. Derek is President of Trauma Aid Europe, Trauma Response Network Ireland, and President-Elect of EMDR All Ireland. He has been involved in several Humanitarian Trauma capacity-building programmes, including Pakistan, Turkey, India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Lebanon, Poland, Philippines, Palestine, and Iraq. Derek has authored over 50 academic peer-reviewed publications and several book chapters. Additionally, Derek is Co-Editor of the Oxford Handbook of EMDR and the Journal of EMDR Practice & Research
As a keynote speaker – Derek has presented in the USA, Australia, Cambodia, Thailand, Pakistan, New Zealand, Netherlands, Italy, Brazil, and Norway. Derek is also involved in several ongoing research programmes, including treating moral injury with Law Enforcement (Vermont, USA), EMDR with adults with intellectual disabilities, and Death by suicide within military/ veteran populations.
In Geneva in 2013, Derek received the ‘David Servan Schreiber Award’ for Outstanding Contribution to EMDR Therapy. In addition, Derek was also shortlisted for the prestigious Times Higher Education Supplement (TES) Awards (2017) for ‘International Impact’ due to his Humanitarian Trauma Capacity Building work in Iraq with the Free Yezidi Foundation and the Jiyan Foundation for Torture and Human Rights. In June 2018 Derek was also awarded the Trauma Aid Europe ‘Humanitarian of the Year Award, in Strasbourg, France. In June 2020 Derek was awarded the Member of the (Most Excellent Order of the) British Empire (MBE) as part of Queen Elizabeth II Birthday Honours List, receiving his Award at Windsor Castle in December 2021. In September 2024, Derek was awarded the prestigious Francine Shapiro Award from EMDRIA.