A police officer's journey from PTSD to recovery

Guest Justyn Backhouse - former police officer, author of Hidden Scars: From Crime Scenes to Crisis, The Price of Service

In this episode of Understanding EMDR, Jenny Dwyer speaks with Justyn Backhouse about the achievements of his 25-year policing career, the hidden toll of repeated trauma, and the journey from denial to recovery. Justyn shares how his secure and loving childhood led him into policing, where he found adventure and opportunities; but also traumatic events, cumulative stress, and eventually PTSD.

They discuss the culture of policing, the stigma around mental health, and why early intervention matters. Justyn explains how EMDR became a turning point in his recovery, helping him process years of unprocessed experiences and reduce the intensity of traumatic memories. The conversation also highlights the importance of family support, trusted colleagues, and honest conversations about mental health.

If you’re an EMDR therapist and interested in knowing more about how you can support police officers and other first responders, listen in to the next episode. I’ll be joined by Krystal Hawkins, a mental health social worker and EMDR consultant who has worked for many years with police in NSW, supporting them through their journey of recovery with EMDR.

Key themes in this episode

• Cumulative trauma and delayed recognition of PTSD in police
• Shame, stigma, and silence as barriers to healing
• The role of EMDR in processing disturbing memories
• Early intervention
• Family, support networks, and rebuilding life after trauma

Resources

To learn more about Justyn and to follow him on social media, visit his website

https://justynbackhouse.com

EMDR Academy

This podcast is proudly sponsored by EMDR Academy Australia. For information on Dr Jenny Dwyer, training, consultation and resources visit our website and follow us on social media

https://emdracademy.com.au

https://www.linkedin.com/company/emdracademyaus/