I am a Certified EMDR Therapist and a member of the International EMDR Association. EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a research-based, effective approach to resolving painful memories and psychological wounds related to emotional, physical, and sexual trauma or abuse. EMDR can also work in the future to help prepare you for life events you may be feel nervous or anxious about such as an upcoming event, medical procedure, presentation or a competition.
what is EMDR?
EMDR enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. Studies show that by using EMDR therapy, people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. ​
For example, when you get a splinter your body works to close the wound. If the splinter or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the splinter (the block) is removed, then healing resumes. EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes.
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​I will spend some time getting to know you and your history. This includes the kind of distress and challenges you are experiencing, any support you already have in place and anything you want to achieve from therapy session.
EMDR has 8 steps. During the re-processing phase, you will be asked to focus on the memory while I guide you into sets of bilateral eye movements or tapping from left to right. The bilateral movements will last a short time and then stop. During this pause I will ask you to briefly report what you are noticing in a few words (any thoughts, sensations, feelings or images that arise) until the emotional "charge" of the memory is neutralized.
Once the memory is re-processed, I will work with you with the aim to ensure memories are resolved and emotional distress associated with the memory is experienced as neutral to minimize the chance of emotional distress experienced around this memory returning in the future.
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EMDR can benefit anyone who is experiencing emotional distress linked to adverse or traumatic experiences. EMDR works with such a vast range of areas it can be used to help most people. EMDR accelerates therapy by resolving the impact of past traumas.
Having said this, EMDR is not always the most appropriate approach for everyone. The process of EMDR is rapid and can feel intense. It requires a willingness to experience at times intense and disturbing thoughts, feelings and images which sometimes occur during sessions. It is import to be aware that you are always in control and fully awake in EMDR therapy.
Any distress lasts for a comparatively short amount of time and is generally experienced at a less intense level during the EMDR process. Some people may benefit from having counseling with me initially for support with skills, strategies, and deeper self awareness to feel prepared to begin EMDR therapy.
what happens in EMDR?
who can benefit from EMDR?
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Frightening experiences
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Bereavement including complex or complicated grief
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Accidents/ incidents
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Performance anxiety
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Anxiety related to future events
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Disasters
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Neglect
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Abuse
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Violence
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Sexual abuse and rape
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Victim of crime
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Adverse childhood experiences
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Childbirth
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Illness and medical related trauma
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what does EMDR help with?
additional FAQs
How will I feel after my session?
​Following an EMDR session most people can expect to feel a relief and low levels of distress related to the disturbing memory. EMDR therapy is often described as like being on a train. When on the train, it stimulates thinking and deep conscious awareness which can continue beyond sessions. During the eye movements, often new information or the joining up of information comes to light which can take time to process. People often describe the experience as empowering and like 'a light bulb moment.' However, understandably, if the new information feels distressing, you may still feel a level of distress for a day or two. We will ensure you have coping strategies to manage this time and I recommended that you take care of yourself by planning activities you enjoy for the evening and following day after an EMDR session. Some people report they remember aspects of the event or something they haven't thought of in some time between sessions. This is very normal and a positive sign that therapy is working well. Try not to hold onto it or make it make sense. You may want to make a note of your experience and bring this to share at your next session. It is also important to note that some people do not experience anything significant between session. This is also absolutely normal.
How many sessions will I need?
This depends on every individual. EMDR therapy accelerates the therapy process, meaning, it is often a faster process than other therapeutic approaches. For those processing a single event trauma experience which does not link to further historical events, EMDR can work very quickly. Some people may only need a few sessions. Those who may have experienced a number of distressing or traumatic events throughout their life, or, who have experienced more complicated or complex trauma may benefit from sessions over a longer period of time to work through all events impacting their life. Sometimes when beginning processing one experience we can uncover other memories which would benefit from processing as well.
Will I be under hypnosis, put to sleep or not be in control?
No, not all. During EMDR you will be awake, conscious and fully in control. EMDR is not hypnosis. You will be able to stop if you feel you need to pause in a session. In EMDR therapy we talk about having one foot in the present and one foot in the trauma event. This means you experience the distressing memory at a more manageable level and you experience while being fully in control of yourself and your body.
I am worried talking about the trauma will make it worse.
The 'one foot in the present and one foot in the trauma event' aspect of EMDR helps to manage the level of disturbance you may experience. It is also important to remember I will work with you before you being to re-process memories to ensure you feel prepared to look after yourself. I will be there to support you during sessions. Most people share that it feels more intense and distressing when the memory is a trigger in their day-to-day life before EMDR therapy than when they are doing EMDR therapy itself.
What if I don't remember all or any of the memory?
The brain often stores memories in a fragmented manner. This is sometimes a safety mechanism to help you continue functioning on a daily basis. Sometimes we recall a memory that may change over time or be encoded with additional information according to perspective rather than what factually happened. This is very normal when we don't have all the information to make full sense of the experience. In other words, our mind fills in the blanks, or, we are left with gaps that feel uncomfortable and distressing in their own right. This is linked to the theory that memory may become locked and isolated without access to adaptive information to help it update, much like a written document time-stamped that needs updated information in the future.
What if I don't remember all or any of the memory?
​The aim of EMDR is not to erase memories but rather reduce the emotional distress associated with the memory. This means the memory is less powerful and emotionally charged once it's re-processed with EMDR. EMDR is evidence-based and has significant research to support its success rate. Details of this research can be found at www.emdria.org.