In this series, ESTD hopes to show our members and visitors to our new and improved website about our member countries. In each European country that makes up ESTD there are people working in the field of trauma and dissociation. In this article we are shining the spotlight on Gyða Eyjólfsdóttir, who is the ESTD contact person for Iceland. We have asked Gyða questions about herself and her work, as you can see below. Iceland has a very low density population, just over a third larger than Scotland and is home to the spectacular capital city of Reykjavík. We many think of it as a “land of ice”, but it has warm summers and beautiful landscapes all the year round
This is the Gullfoss Waterfall (public domain picture), just one example of the features found in the countrysidewhich also includes glaciers, mud pools and hot geysers. Glaciers account for 11% of the surface area of Iceland!
For lovers of science fiction, many of the opening landscape panoramas of the film ‘Prometheus’ were filmed in Iceland. Iceland also has one of the highest life-expectancies in the world, with a well developed and organised healthcare system.
Gyða explains how the healthcare system works in Iceland: We have socialized health care which is mostly paid for through our taxes. There is usually a co-pay when we visit health care providers but the services of mental health professionals (apart from psychiatrists) are not covered, so the expense is out of pocket.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, the work that you do and how long you have been in this specialty?
I have a Ph.D in Counseling Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin. My dissertation was on the Psychosocial Aspects of Symptom-giving Pelvic Girdle Relaxation and while working on my dissertation (2000-2003) I became interested in trauma. I learned EMDR, became a certified EMDR therapist and took a long-distance class with ISST-D.org to learn more about dissocation and trauma. I have also enjoyed learning more about Trauma and Dissociation through the Art of EMDR and other workshops.
I have a private practice in Iceland and my specialty is emotional aspects of infertility, trauma work using EMDR and Ego State Psychotherapy. I also supervise a volunteer program within a Cancer Society for young adults. I’m also working on becoming a certified EMDR consultant.
How are you supported in your work? (e.g. training, supervision etc)
I make sure I receive good supervision in my work. I attend a weekly peer supervision group where I both receive and give supervision. I receive individual supervision every other week from an Icelandic Psychologist. Additionally, I consult via Skype with EMDR trained therapists in the U.S. That consultation is both to work towards becoming a certified EMDR consultant and also to help me become a better therapist. It is great to be able to learn from wonderful clinicians who are also great teachers.
How did you get into this type of work?
When I was working on my dissertation I discovered that trauma is a risk factor when it comes to developing physical disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic pelvic pain and Symptom-giving Pelvic Girdle Relaxation. I was fascinated by this link and wanted to learn more about trauma and treatment of trauma.
When I was working on my dissertation I discovered that trauma is a risk factor when it comes to developing physical disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic pelvic pain and Symptom-giving Pelvic Girdle Relaxation. I was fascinated by this link and wanted to learn more about trauma and treatment of trauma.
While on my internship I asked my supervisors what was the single most important workshop they had taken and when two out of four responded “EMDR” I decided that was something I needed to learn. After learning EMDR I quickly realized that I needed to learn more. I got in touch with an EMDR certified consultant and received wonderful supervision where I learned more about dissociation among other things. I have found this work so rewarding and fascinating and that has driven me to get additional training so I can be of assistance to people with more complex trauma histories.
Are you involved in doing research, and if so, what are you working on now?
I am in the preparation stage of a study on the effectiveness of the peer support network of the cancer society for young people. We will be studying the impact of the peer support on feelings of depression, anxiety, control and hope.
How is the concept of dissociation viewed in your country?
In discussing dissociation with many of my fellow therapists, dissociation has been considered a rare thing. However, therapists are becoming more aware of the importance of addressing dissociation. Last year, about 38 therapists were trained in EMDR and that has helped with raising awareness of the importance of assessing and addressing dissociation.
What is it like being an ESTD contact member?
I haven’t had anyone other than ESTD contact me so far, so I can’t really say
How do you keep in touch with other ESTD members?
I have yet to get to know other ESTD members.
What are your thoughts about using social networking, such as Facebook or Twitter, to connect with other ESTD members?
I think that might be interesting to get to know the members that way.
If were to visit your country for a conference, what would you recommend that I should do to experience your culture?
Check out some of our great restaurants, museums and stores. Also, travelling around the country, seeing our beautiful nature and talking with Icelandic people will help you experience our culture.
Thank you so much to Gyða Eyjólfsdóttir for answering all our questions.
If there are people in Iceland who would like support and information about their own practice, you can contact us at ESTD, and maybe get to meet Gyða as well!
All the best,
Mike Lloyd Chair, ESTD Website Committee