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EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing

What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a structured therapeutic approach originally developed to help people process trauma. It is now widely used for a range of difficulties, including anxiety, low self-esteem, phobias, and distress linked to past experiences.

The central idea is that our brains have a natural capacity to heal. But when overwhelming events happen, those memories and feelings can sometimes get “stuck,” leaving us with strong emotional reactions, physical sensations, or unhelpful beliefs about ourselves.

EMDR helps to “reprocess” those memories so they lose their distressing intensity and can be integrated in a healthier way.

How Does EMDR Work?

During EMDR, you are invited to recall aspects of a memory or difficult feeling while also engaging in bilateral stimulation — such as following side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or sounds.

This process supports the brain’s natural healing mechanisms, allowing the memory to be “unstuck” and reprocessed. Importantly:

  • You stay in control throughout the session.

  • You don’t need to share every detail of the memory aloud.

  • The aim is not to erase experiences, but to reduce their emotional hold.

What Can EMDR Help With?

Research has shown EMDR to be effective for:

  • Post-traumatic stress (PTSD)

  • Traumatic or difficult life events

  • Anxiety and panic

  • Grief and loss

  • Phobias

  • Shame, self-criticism, and negative self-beliefs

Some clients also find EMDR helpful when they feel “stuck” in patterns they can’t seem to shift through talk therapy alone.

EMDR as Part of Integrative Therapy

While EMDR is powerful, it’s not a standalone “fix.” In my practice, I integrate EMDR within a wider therapeutic approach that includes relational, humanistic, attachment-based work, as well as Internal Family Systems and Schema Therapy.

This means we take time to build a strong, safe foundation before using EMDR, and we weave it into a therapeutic process that supports you as a whole person.

What to Expect

  • Preparation – We’ll explore whether EMDR is right for you and build the resources you need to feel steady and supported.

  • Processing sessions – We’ll work together using bilateral stimulation to reprocess memories or experiences that feel stuck.

  • Integration – We’ll reflect on what shifts and changes, and connect these to your everyday life and wellbeing.

The pace is always guided by you. EMDR is not about re-living trauma, but about helping your mind and body find resolution.

Taking the Next Step

If you’d like to explore EMDR, we can discuss it during an initial consultation. Not every client needs EMDR, but for some, it can be a powerful part of therapy — especially when facing unresolved memories or ongoing difficulties linked to past experiences.

Get in touch to arrange an initial session or to find out whether EMDR might be right for you.