my therapy services
EMDR Therapy
I am trained and qualified in EMDR therapy certified by EMDR UK & Ireland. EMDR is an integrative therapy and fits well with my approach to supporting you to process the residue of past trauma, psychological blind spots and emotional blocks.
What is EMDR
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing. It’s a long-winded name but most importantly it’s proven to have exceptional results.
It is an 8-stage protocol that prepares you to work on re-processing past memories. You will essentially be able to unlock the memories and get to the root of the maladaptive (unhelpful) information stored alongside them.
The memory material goes into the correct area of your brain so you can process them fully, they stop causing you problems in the here and now. The memory may not go away completely but will reduce to such a level that you no longer feel a deep level of distress and discomfort.
A good thing some people find about EMDR is that if you have a distressing memory, which you find too difficult to say out loud then you don’t have to. Providing you are able to follow the steps then you can process the memory without telling me.
How long does EMDR take?
A typical EMDR session usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes and sessions usually take place weekly. EMDR has been considered a ‘quick fix’ therapy, but this is not entirely accurate, and it would be misleading to suggest the entire 8-stage protocol is always quick. The things to bear in mind would be the type of presenting problem, your life circumstances and the amount of previous support and current support systems you have. These factors all help to determine how many sessions might be necessary. Between 10 and 20 sessions is a good enough guide but for survivors of long-term trauma (e.g. childhood harm, neglect and abuse) it can take longer. People however often experience quick and tangible results throughout the process and this noticeable shift can feel transformational. It’s a deeply enlightening process.
What can EMDR do for me?
EMDR can you help you identify, understand and re-process lifelong behaviour patterns and triggers that are holding you back. It can help you gain clarity and let go of the past.
It isn’t just for working with a significant or one-off trauma. Although it started as a treatment for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), scientific research has also been successfully applied in the treatment of chronic pain, phobias, panic and a variety of anxiety disorders including performance anxiety, complicated grief, sexual and/or physical abuse and disturbing memories.