Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
To process and heal trauma.
To think and believe differently.
To cope and to fly.
To trust the wind beneath your wings.
Have you, or has someone you care for, experienced trauma? Many people know trauma to be an emotional, psychological, or physical response to an overwhelmingly distressing, frightening, or life-threatening event. But trauma can also include the response to persistent, upsetting events that have happened in the past, or continue to happen.
The symptoms of trauma include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, emotional numbness, hypervigilance, and difficulty trusting others. Physical symptoms include headaches, fatigue, digestive problems, changes in sleep, or a persistent "fight-or-flight" nervous system response. Long-term, unresolved trauma can lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), complex PTSD, depression, or substance use struggles.
EMDR is an evidence-based psychological therapy that can help people process distressing experiences and reduce the emotional impact of difficult memories. It is commonly used to treat trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but can also be helpful for anxiety, low self-esteem, and other difficulties linked to past experiences.
EMDR involves safely recalling aspects of a distressing memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or alternating taps. This sensory stimulation helps activate the brain's natural processing system, "unsticking" memories that are stored in a raw, fragmented state. This can help those memories feel less overwhelming and have less impact on everyday life. EMDR is tailored to each individual and is delivered at a pace that takes account of their needs, readiness, and sense of safety.
Yes. Anyone can benefit from EMDR if it is delivered taking that person's developmental age into account. EMDR may be adapted for younger as well as neurodivergent individuals.
No. EMDR does not involve talking extensively about the traumatic event, but rather remembering it using images and senses. Whilst holding this image the event can be processed using the EMDR protocol and bilateral stimulations.
The number of sessions can vary, but successful trauma processing can occur within 6-8 sessions if delivered correctly. There is a structure to EMDR work. Depending on the amount of trauma and the intensity of the response to that trauma, more sessions may be needed.
EMDR sessions are the same length as a regular counselling session (50 minutes) with the exception of those sessions where bilateral stimulation is occuring. These sessions are 80-90 minutes. This ensures a client leaves the session feeling safe.
As I am an EMDR therapist in training, I am currently offering new clients a block of 8 EMDR sessions at a cost of £70 per session.