EMDR
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing
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‘EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a unique, powerful therapy that helps people recover from problems triggered by traumatic events in their lives. It stops difficult memories causing so much distress by helping the brain to reprocess them properly, working with memory to heal the legacy of past pain.
EMDR therapy is best known for treating PTSD but can help with a range of mental health conditions in people of all ages including depression and anxiety.
Internationally recognised, EMDR therapy is endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; the World Health Organisation; The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies; the NHS (in the UK); and many other bodies. There are more than 10,000 trained EMDR therapists in the UK alone, and it has helped millions of people worldwide.’
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EMDR is based in the Adaptive Information Processing model (AIP). This suggests that the brain normally processes experiences to resolution, but when we experience trauma it can block this process. Unprocessed memories can continue to trigger distress for us in the present day, but once they are processed the symptoms reduce.
In part of EMDR we use bilateral stimulation, such as following a light bar left and right with your eyes. This is thought to mimic aspects of our REM sleep which is where our memory processing occurs. Bilateral stimulation can also reduce emotional intensity and increase connectivity between brain regions.
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I am an EMDR UK accredited member. EMDR is a highly specialised treatment, and accreditation with EMDR UK ensures that the practitioner has met specific standards in both theoretical knowledge and practical application. It also means I undertake monthly EMDR supervision with an EMDR consultant, and ensures that I am continually learning and improving my skills, alongside applying EMDR properly and ethically.
I am also an EMDR consultant. EMDR consultants are highly experienced practitioners who have completed advanced training and are accredited to provide guidance and supervision to other EMDR therapists.
I have completed additional training to deliver EMDR with children
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Despite bilateral stimulation being the part that EMDR is most well known for, EMDR is an 8 phase protocol that involves us supporting you with regulation and stabilisation, alongside a collaborative assessment of your experiences and goals. We can also blend EMDR with integrative counselling. We won’t begin EMDR processing until you are ready.
When you are ready to begin processing, we will identify our target, such as a difficult memory or experience. While focusing on the memory, we add in bilateral stimulation such as eye movements, tapping or audio. Gradually, your brain begins to reprocess the memory and emotional intensity is often reduced.
Throughout the process you are awake and in control at all times. It is not hypnosis, we don’t induce a trance state, no suggestions are made. All the changes that occur are the result of your brain’s natural healing functions.
The whole process will be explained and demonstrated in more detail in the session. We can have sessions in person or online, depending on your needs
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EMDR is adapted to children to match the needs of the individual child. We might use a lot more play and creativity in the sessions, such as using the sand tray, art and drawing, figures or storytelling.
The bilateral stimulation might be adapted to be age-appropriate, such as using soft buzzers (that your child can hold in their hands or put in their shoes), gentle taps, clapping or marching. Sometimes we might include the parent or carer in the sessions too
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