EMDR
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a form of therapy that can help when difficult experiences from the past still affect how you feel, think or respond in the present.
You might understand what happened, but still experience anxiety, fear, shame, anger, disconnection, intrusive memories, strong bodily sensations, a feeling that you are cut off or still caught in the experience.
EMDR helps your mind and body process memories and experiences that feel stuck. The aim is not to forget what happened, but to remember it without feeling as though you are reliving it.
How I Work With EMDR
EMDR is not something that is simply done to you by the therapist. Our relationship, your sense of safety and your ability to stay connected to yourself are central to the work.
We begin by talking about what is happening for you now and what you would like to change. We take time to build stability, coping strategies and a sense of choice before moving towards processing difficult experiences.
During EMDR, we use bilateral stimulation. This means gently alternating attention from one side of the body to the other, often through guided eye movements, sounds or taps. While this is happening, you bring to mind an experience, feeling, image or bodily sensation. You remain aware of what is happening and can pause, slow down or change direction at any time.
It is not about searching for forgotten memories or trying to uncover anything you don’t remember. We work with what you know and what is present for you now.
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy that can be helpful when past experiences have left you feeling overwhelmed, shut down, disconnected, stuck or unable to move forward. This can include trauma, grief, critical self-talk, relationship difficulties and other painful or distressing experiences.
Importantly, it is not about trying to erase the past.
It is about creating more freedom in the present, so that what happened to you no longer has the same hold. If you are interested in finding out more, we can arrange a 15-minute phone or Zoom call to discuss it further.