EMDR Therapy

Helping Your Brain Process Trauma

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing - EMDR - is a distinctive therapy originally developed for trauma but now used for a broader range of difficulties. It’s recommended by NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) as a first-line treatment for PTSD.

How EMDR Works

When something traumatic happens, the memory can become “stuck” - stored in a way that keeps it feeling raw and present rather than safely in the past. Triggers can bring the experience flooding back as if it’s happening again.

EMDR appears to help the brain process these stuck memories. During treatment, you focus on the traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation - typically following the therapist’s fingers with your eyes, though sounds or taps can also be used.

This dual attention seems to help the brain’s natural processing mechanisms work on the memory, gradually reducing its emotional charge. The memory doesn’t disappear, but it becomes something you can think about without being overwhelmed.

What EMDR Can Help With

EMDR has the strongest evidence base for trauma-related difficulties:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Complex trauma from prolonged or repeated experiences
• Birth trauma
• Medical trauma
• Accidents and assaults
• Childhood abuse and neglect
• Traumatic bereavement

It’s also used effectively for:

• Anxiety and phobias (particularly when linked to specific experiences)
• Panic attacks
• Performance anxiety
• Disturbing memories that aren’t necessarily “traumatic” but remain distressing

The EMDR Process

EMDR follows a structured eight-phase protocol:

1. History and preparation: Understanding your background and identifying target memories to work on.

2. Stabilisation: Ensuring you have resources and techniques to manage distress, building a foundation of safety.

3-6. Assessment and processing: Working through memories using bilateral stimulation. You’ll hold the memory in mind while following the therapist’s movements, noticing whatever comes up without trying to control it.

7-8. Integration: Ensuring the processing is complete and you have positive beliefs to carry forward.

Sessions are typically 60-90 minutes. The number of sessions needed varies depending on what you’re working on.

What Processing Feels Like

During EMDR processing, people often experience the memory changing - becoming less vivid, feeling further away, or shifting in emotional tone. New insights or connections may emerge spontaneously. The process can bring up strong emotions, but you remain grounded and in control.

Some people notice significant shifts quickly; for others, change is more gradual. Either way, the goal is for traumatic memories to lose their power to hijack your present.

Is EMDR Right for You?

EMDR can be particularly helpful if:

• You’ve experienced trauma that continues to affect you
• Talking about traumatic events feels too overwhelming
• Previous therapy has helped you understand your experiences but hasn’t reduced their emotional impact
• You want a structured approach with a clear focus

We’ll discuss your situation and whether EMDR is the right fit during an initial consultation.

Contact us to learn more about EMDR.