EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic approach used to help people process distressing or traumatic memories or experiences that still feel “stuck.”
Even when an event happened months or years ago, the body and mind can sometimes hold on to the fear, distress and emotional charge of it, which can lead to ongoing anxiety, discomfort, vivid memories, or a sense of being “pulled back” into the moment.
EMDR works by supporting the brain’s natural ability to heal. During an EMDR session, we gently bring attention to the memory or feeling while engaging in bilateral stimulation. This is often eye movements following a guide such as a light bar or tracking hand movements, tapping side to side either on yourself or led by the therapist, or sounds alternating in each ear using headphones. This process helps the cognitive and nervous systems reprocess the experience in a safer, more integrated way. “Filing” away the event as a bad memory rather than a current threat and cause of present distress. People often describe feeling lighter, clearer, or less emotionally activated by the memory afterwards. My own experience of EMDR underpins my confidence in the technique to achieve significant results which can be life changing.
Another aspect about EMDR which I appreciate is that it doesn’t require you to go into long, detailed descriptions of what happened. You don’t need to re-tell the full story. Instead, we work with how the natural processes of your body and mind to connect the memories to the supporting contexts it has been isolated from, at a pace that feels manageable and respectful.
My Approach to EMDR
I am currently training towards a diploma in EMDR. As with all my work, I aim to create a space that is warm, calm, and grounded. EMDR is something we approach gently, collaboratively, and with your full consent at every step. You remain in control and fully alert throughout the process. We ensure you have the coping strategies and internal resources needed before we begin our work to process the difficult memory.
I will explain each stage of the process, check in regularly, and ensure that you feel steady and supported. EMDR can be surprisingly empowering when done in a contained and compassionate way.
EMDR Case Study Sessions (Currently in training)
I am currently completing my EMDR training, and as part of my diploma I am offering a limited number of sets of 3–5 free EMDR sessions for suitable clients. Sessions are 90 minutes long, held in person in Salisbury, Wiltshire. I’m already a qualified counsellor in private practice, and these EMDR sessions will be delivered under full clinical supervision.
For training case studies, I am currently working with individuals with a single incident that remains distressing, rather than long-term, ongoing or deeply complex trauma at this stage. Case notes are fully anonymised, and your confidentiality and wellbeing remain at the centre of the work.
If this sounds like something that might support you, you’re welcome to get in touch to explore whether EMDR would be appropriate for you. I’m happy to discuss your thoughts about whether your experience might fit the criteria and how we might manage the process if you’re interested in a free video call.