eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing or EMDR  

When a traumatic event occurs—whether it’s anaccident, abuse, or even an experience that may seem less significant like humiliation—your brain can become overwhelmed, preventing it from processing the memory properly. This can lead to flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or nightmares, where the event feels as if it’s happening again in the present.

These responses occur because the memory, along with associated thoughts, sights, and feelings, is stored in its original, "raw" form. Every time something triggers the memory, it reactivates the distress.

While EMDR cannot erase these memories, it helps change how they are stored in the brain, making them less distressing and easier to manage.

what is EMDR?

EMDR is used to treat various psychological traumas, including direct or indirect experiences of violence, accidents, or natural disasters that can lead to PTSD. It's also effective for prolonged, lower-grade distress stemming from shock, loss, or unresolved childhood experiences. EMDR is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for trauma treatment.

It’s increasingly used to address issues like:

  • Depression
  • Performance anxiety
  • Phobias and fears
  • Generalised anxiety
  • Low self-esteem
reported benefits of EMDR
  • Reduced trauma flashbacks and intrusive memories
  • Greater ability to manage trauma without avoiding triggers
  • Increased engagement in enjoyable activities and relationships
  • Lowered feelings of anxiety, hypervigilance, and stress, enabling better rest and daily functioning
  • Reduced feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and depression
  • Improved self-esteem and self-confidence
how does EMDR work?

Traumatic events can overwhelm the brain’s natural coping mechanisms, leading to improperly processed memories stored in isolated networks. EMDR helps reprocess these memories, reducing their impact and developing healthy coping strategies.

what to expect in an EMDR session

EMDR therapy aims to reduce distress quickly through a structured process. The therapy involves several phases:

  1. Initial Phase: We discuss your history, current distress, and support system to determine if EMDR is the right fit for you.
  2. Preparation: We explore relaxation exercises to use during and outside of sessions.
  3. Processing Distressing Memories: We target specific traumatic memories using eye movements or bilateral stimulation (e.g., tapping or sounds). You will focus on an image of the event, as well as related positive and negative thoughts. After each set of movements, I will check in with you to gauge your experience, and this continues until the distress is reduced, replaced by more positive thoughts.
  4. Closure: We conclude the session with relaxation techniques to help you feel calm.
  5. Re-evaluation: In the next session, we assess your progress, determine how you're coping, and decide whether to continue with the same memory or move on.
after the session

You may continue processing the session after it’s over, and could feel lingering emotions or thoughts related to the trauma. It’s important to give yourself time to rest and use relaxation techniques between sessions. We will explore this together.  Over time, these feelings typically lessen, and many people report feeling significant relief after EMDR sessions.