EMDR

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. It is an extremely effective way of targeting and processing trauma, both single incident trauma and more complex trauma. It's a relatively new approach that was developed by Francine Shapiro in the 1980s, since then it has been widely researched and has gained significant recognition and worldwide usage.

EMDR is a safe, non- invasive and evidence based therapy. During a typical session the therapist will help the client target and then process a disturbing experience by using bilateral eye movements with sounds and sometimes vibrations. This in turn allows the experience to be desensitized, at the same time the therapist helps to create new positive beliefs and thought patterns to support the client and bring about resolution.

Animation to explain EMDR Therapy and Trauma

How does it work?

When a disturbing or traumatic event occurs in our life, thoughts, sensations and feelings get stored and locked within our nervous system. This material can get triggered and as if on a loop we get activated again and again. As a result of this we may develop negative beliefs about ourseles eg: 'I am not good enough' or 'I am not safe'. However in another part of the brain is the information needed to resolve this disturbance. EMDR helps connect these two parts; the place of trauma and the place of resolution and resource. It is this new information coming in that helps to resolve old patterning and trauma. The therapist works to build this new positive information with the client, these adaptive thoughts are real and grounded in the present.

“After a very traumatic first birth and upon becoming pregnant with my second child and really wanting a VBAC (vaginal birth after C section) I decided I needed counselling to process the trauma and to optimise my chances of having a VBAC. I began my sessions with Emma using EMDR to process and come to terms with my trauma.

I cannot recommend Emma highly enough, she was so calm, patient and really listened to me. The EMDR method really helped me to come to terms with my birthing experience. Emma was so good at explaining everything especially how trauma had affected me as a mother even 1.5 years on. She was brilliant, without her help I am sure I wouldn't have been able to have a VBAC.”

Laura

What can I expect from a session?

Depending on the nature of the disturbance we will work over a number of weeks to target it, process it and bring it to resolution. If it is a single incident trauma, depending on how well the client is resourced this may take just a few sessions . If however it is more complex trauma we will work in more depth. For the first few sessions we will take time preparing, resourcing and history taking.We will establish what needs to be targeted and what the desired outcome might be. Each sesson is one hour and we might be processing for 30-40 minutes within that time. After a session some clients report feeling a weight lifted or a sense of calm and peace. Clients may also feel tired, even after the session the processing is still working in the back ground for about 2/3 days after the session. It is important to have self care practices in place to take some time to integrate the session. Most commonly there are feelings of relief and detachment as the disturbing events feel further away.

Please contact me if you have any further questions about EMDR and how it works.

“I contacted Emma for psychotherapy after experiencing a traumatic birth. I had never done psychotherapy before so I was quite nervous as it was so new to me. Emma provided me with a very safe space to process everything. I felt very comfortable in such an empathetic and nurturing environment. We used EMDR which I found really beneficial. It felt like there was a weight lifted and I could finally look forward to family planning again. Thank you Emma you're incredible at what you do.”

Ann

EMDR and working online

I have been working online for some years now and I have found that EMDR translates very well to an online platform. I use a metronome with sound on my side. All that is needed is a private space and adequate broadband strength.

“I found  EMDR really helped me to process past events/traumas and to reframe them and see them from a different perspective. Emma guided me through this process with empathy and created an environment were I felt comfortable reliving and properly processing these events and the emotions and beliefs that had stemmed from them.”

Ciara

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