Course Description

The lived experience of Dyslexia highlights lifelong emotional and social effects, often describing experiences of education as a ‘hostile environment’ of judgment, failure, ridicule, isolation, and stigma. This presentation—led by Derek Farrell, Ph.D.—will explore the ‘lived experience’ of Dyslexia through the lens of Adaptive Information Processing (AIP). It will outline how the AIP paradigm is used for case conceptualization and subsequent treatment using EMDR Therapy. It will highlight the importance of psychoeducation and trauma processing in regard to trauma resolution, challenging stigma, resilience, and post-traumatic growth. In addition, the presentation will utilize clinical material to support the interface between theory and clinical practice.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will be able to outline Dyslexia as a diagnostic and conceptual model underpinned by a review of the academic literature.
2. Participants will be able to critically consider Dyslexia through the lens of Adaptive Information Processing.
3. Participants will be able to evaluate the application of EMDR Therapy – as an eight-phase treatment intervention with a dyslexia client group.

Presenter(s)

Derek Farrell, Ph.D.

Derek Farrell, Ph.D., is a Principal Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Worcester (UK). He is the current President of Trauma Aid Europe and Chair of the EMDR Europe Practice Committee. Derek is also a Scientific Advisor to the Board of Trauma Aid Germany. He is involved in numerous Humanitarian Trauma Capacity Building programs throughout the world. In Geneva 2013, Derek was the recipient of the ‘David Servan Schreiber Award’ for Outstanding Contribution to EMDR Therapy. In June 2018 Derek was also awarded the Trauma Aid Europe ‘Humanitarian of the Year Award, in Strasbourg, France.