EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

EMDR is suitable for children and adults. 

EMDR is a NICE approved therapy used to treat the symptoms of trauma. When we experience traumatic events the thoughts, feelings and memories we have about those events can get stuck and it can be hard to move on from them. It can feel like we are re-experiencing the trauma even though the events happened some time ago. The aim of EMDR is to help the brain to process those memories. The memory of the event is retained but the original trauma, alongside the fight, flight and freeze responses, are resolved. This reduces their influence, the disturbing feelings and allows clients to develop ways to get on with their lives more effectively.  

EMDR can help with 

• war related experiences

• childhood sexual abuse

• physical abuse

• neglect

• natural disaster

• assault

• surgical trauma

• road traffic accidents

• workplace accidents

• phobias

• anxiety and anticipatory anxiety

Assessment, length of treatment and sessions

Assessment starts with an evaluation of your psychological wellbeing and a discussion as to whether EMDR would be an effective therapy for you. Individual sessions are held weekly.  For most clients a small number of sessions are offered. For clients who have experienced very severe trauma, or more than one trauma, the therapy can last for longer and can be offered along side other talking therapies. 

How it works

EMDR therapy is an eight phased protocal approach to treating traumatic and other symptoms by reconnecting the client in a safe and measured way to the images, self-thoughts, emotions, and body sensations associated with the trauma, and allowing the healing powers of the brain to move toward an adaptive resolution using something called bilateral stimulation.

During therapy sessions you are supported to recall a traumatic event and at the same time receive bilateral stimulation. This means receiving stimuli in a rhythmic left-right pattern.

The stimuli can be something you see or feel.  Such as:

• moving your eyes from side to side

• tapping movements on your hands or shoulders

EMDR is recommended by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as the first treatment for people with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.  Research shows that EMDR is at least as effective as other talking therapies in the treatment of symptoms of trauma.  Studies have found that EMDR can help people more quickly than other therapies. It can also help children who experience self-esteem, emotional and behavioural difficulties. There is some evidence that people with autistic spectrum disorders and those with learning disabilities can benefit from EMDR after they experience trauma. 

EMDR with children

For a child, EMDR begins by stimulating their imagination to build their self-confidence. Children may be asked to imagine a safe place, or to remember a time when they felt comfortable and relaxed. These positive images, thoughts and feelings are then strengthened with bilateral stimulation.  These initial experiences help them understand what to expect when having EMDR.  When a child feels ready to progress, and in agreement with parent/carer, the child is supported to bring up an upsetting memory or event that is related to the trauma they have experienced and this is processed using the aforementioned bilateral stimulation which helps to reduce the effects of the trauma and increase their wellbeing.