Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an effective and well researched therapeutic approach that has been shown to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Although we don’t know precisely how EMDR works, developments in the field of neuroscience have provided useful insight as to how memories are stored and processed which has been transformative in the treatment of difficulties related to trauma.

 

​Any adverse experience that creates a deep sense of distress or confusion for us can be considered trauma. Our brains have a natural way of recovering from traumatic memories and events. When our brain processes a memory, that memory goes through a process of integration and reinterpretation that results in the memory of the experience being integrated with other life events.

 

This process involves communication between different parts of the brain associated with detecting threat, storing memories, learning and regulating emotions and behaviour. While many of the traumatic events we experience can be processed in this way, sometimes the distress or confusion associated with the trauma can be so intense, these experiences may not be processed without help.

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This blockage in processing can lead to difficulties in the present and concerns or worries about future events and situations. We may understand ‘rationally’ that some of our unhelpful beliefs aren’t accurate but it may be that some of our unprocessed memories stop us from feeling it on a gut / body and emotional level. Stress responses associated with traumatic experiences are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. When disturbance from a difficult event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create an overwhelming feeling of being back in that moment - the memory remains stuck, feeling undigested, vivid and raw. EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories, and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the memory of it doesn’t bother us so intensely. As EMDR can help process on a multi-level, we can feel shifts at a thinking level but also on a physical, emotional and behavioural level.​

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In comparison to many other psychotherapies, EMDR therapy does not require talking in as much detail about the distressing issues, instead the focus is on the use of bilateral stimulation such as simple eye movements, tapping on the shoulders or visual or audio stimulation to activate the natural healing processes of the brain.

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EMDR therapy is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes showing EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD and other distressing life experiences.

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The first one or two sessions are focused on assessment. These sessions usually last for 50 minutes. I will ask you questions and may ask you to complete one or two questionnaires to understand your difficulties and how they impact you and your life. We will also explore any history relevant to your current difficulties and think about what you would like to work towards in therapy. The assessment will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions and decide if I am the right therapist for you. If we agree that working together will be beneficial, we will develop a treatment plan which will include an initial idea of treatment duration. Following assessment we will move into treatment which we will review together from session to session.

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​For therapy to be effective, commitment to regular attendance of sessions and practising new skills in between sessions and beyond treatment is very important. I usually see clients on a weekly basis however there can be a small degree of flexibility in this keeping in mind that treatment effectiveness is reduced when therapy sessions are not attended regularly. With EMDR, once we move into the processing phase of treatment, it is recommended that these sessions be 90 minutes in duration to enable a longer time for processing. Sessions can be done face to face or remotely via Zoom.

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Fees:
£90 Zoom / £105 in person for 50 minutes (longer sessions charged pro rata)

(Please note an additional £5 supplement applies for sessions between 5-8pm)

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I can offer a free 5-10 minute enquiry call if you would like to discuss any uncertainties before arranging an initial consultation. You can contact me here to discuss your needs or book an initial consultation