EMDR

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.

It is a powerful psychological treatment method that has been extensively scientifically researched and is proven effective for the treatment of trauma.

NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) and WHO (World Health Organization) recommend EMDR treatment for treating post-traumatic stress disorder.

EMDR has been found to successfully treat a wide array of issues, including phobias, anxiety, low self-esteem and distress. If you hold a memory from the past that is currently upsetting you, then it is likely that EMDR can help. Attachment informed EMDR can help work with early formative experiences.

How does EMDR work?

Usually we digest and process life experiences naturally.

But in distressing situations a persons capacity can become overwhelmed and the ability of the brain to process the information affected. On a neurological level the distressing memory can become stuck. This can present itself in distressing intrusive thoughts, disturbing dreams, avoidance of reminders and difficulty in being able to move on from the past.

If a person has been unable to process an event by themselves, EMDR can be a useful tool to help the reprocessing of their memory. It does this in part by stimulating brain processing using bi-lateral stimulation.

In an EMDR session, the client is shown bilateral movements, these may be through sound or tapping or eye movements. Bilateral eye movements are similar to the rapid eye movement (REM) that occur naturally whilst in dream sleep. In REM a persons eyes rapidly move from side to side and deep neurological processing takes place. Likewise the alternating left-right stimulation of the brain through EMDR bilateral stimulation seems to activate the frozen or blocked information processing system and reactivates a person’s innate ability to recover.

In the process the distressing memories lose their intensity.

EMDR is natural, safe and effective.

For further information and research please go to www.emdr.com.

I am an accredited member of the EMDR Association UK & Ireland and EMDR Europe. I am an attachment focused/informed EMDR practitioner., having studied with both Laurel Parnell and Mark Brayne. Additional trainings include Flash Technique (Philip Mansfield), the Recent Incident and Group Protocol for EMDR (Elan Shapiro)

I have been offering EMDR intensives since 2019.  This involves working together for a number of sessions over an mutually agreed time frame, tailored to suit your particular needs. Its a particularly potent and transformative way to work.

In 2025 a colleague and myself began to offer residential  EMDR Therapy and Wellness Retreats.  ‘Re-Treat-Ment’.  The programme offers the opportunity for some deep therapeutic work within the sanctuary of nature and is designed to be :a blend of intensive therapy and relaxation.. A blend of individual EMDR therapy sessions and some participation in small group sessions such as TRE and arts and crafts. Please contact me if this way of working is of interest.