EMDR Therapy
Helping Your Brain Process What It Couldn’t Process Alone
Some experiences continue to feel emotionally overwhelming long after they’ve happened.
You may know the event is over, yet your mind, body and nervous system still respond as though the danger is happening now.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain process distressing memories so they become less emotionally overwhelming.
As part of a trauma-informed approach, EMDR can support healing without requiring you to repeatedly relive painful experiences.
What Is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing.
It is a structured psychotherapy approach developed to help people recover from traumatic and distressing life experiences.
When something overwhelming happens, the brain’s natural processing system can sometimes become interrupted.
Instead of becoming integrated into your life story, the experience may remain emotionally “stuck.”
This can contribute to symptoms such as:
- Anxiety
- Flashbacks
- Intrusive thoughts
- Emotional overwhelm
- Hypervigilance
- Avoidance
- Low self-worth
- Strong emotional reactions to reminders of the past
EMDR helps the brain resume its natural processing so these memories become less distressing and less likely to interfere with everyday life.
How Does EMDR Work?
During EMDR therapy, we gently activate aspects of a distressing memory while using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or other methods.
This process supports the brain’s natural ability to process experiences that may have become “stuck.”
Over time, many people notice that memories begin to feel less emotionally intense.
The events themselves are not erased.
Instead, they become integrated into your life story without continuing to trigger the same level of emotional distress.
The aim is not to forget what happened.
It’s to reduce the emotional burden those memories continue to carry.
What Can EMDR Help With?
EMDR is widely recognised as an effective treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress. It may also be helpful for people experiencing difficulties linked to unresolved distressing experiences.
Depending on your individual circumstances, EMDR may support healing with:
- Childhood trauma
- Emotional abuse
- Narcissistic abuse recovery
- Anxiety linked to trauma
- Distressing memories
- Panic responses
- Low self-worth
- Relationship trauma
- Grief and loss
- Medical trauma
- Phobias (where appropriate)
- Performance anxiety (where appropriate)
Not every concern is best addressed with EMDR. During your assessment, we’ll consider whether it is the most appropriate approach for your needs.
What Happens During EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is much more than eye movements.
The therapy follows a structured process that prioritises safety and preparation before processing traumatic memories.
A typical course of EMDR includes:
Assessment
Understanding your experiences, goals and readiness for EMDR.
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Preparation
Developing emotional regulation skills and creating a strong sense of safety before processing begins.
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Processing
Working through distressing memories using bilateral stimulation at a pace that feels manageable.
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Integration
Helping the brain organise new insights while reducing emotional distress.
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Moving Forward
Strengthening healthier beliefs, greater confidence and emotional resilience.
You remain in control throughout the process, and we will always move at a pace that feels appropriate for you.
Is EMDR Right for Everyone?
EMDR can be a powerful therapy, but it isn’t the right starting point for everyone.
Sometimes the first step is helping your nervous system develop greater stability and emotional safety before beginning trauma processing.
That’s why I take an individualised approach.
Depending on your needs, we may begin with:
- Trauma-informed counselling
- Somatic Therapy
- Nervous system regulation
- Breathwork
- Emotional regulation skills
EMDR is introduced when it feels clinically appropriate and supportive for your healing journey.
My Trauma-Informed Approach
EMDR is one part of the wider way I support clients.
Healing rarely comes from one technique alone.
I integrate EMDR within a broader trauma-informed framework that may also include:
- Somatic Therapy
- Nervous System Regulation
- Trauma-informed counselling
- EFT
- Breathwork
- Guided Visualisation
- Hypnotherapy
The focus is always on helping you heal at the root—not simply reducing symptoms.
The Reclaim Yourself Method™
EMDR can support several stages of the healing journey.
Recognise
Understand how unresolved experiences continue to influence your life.
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Regulate
Develop enough safety and stability before deeper processing.
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Release
Process distressing memories that remain emotionally overwhelming.
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Rewire
Strengthen healthier beliefs and emotional responses.
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Reclaim
Move forward with greater freedom, resilience and self-trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily.
Unlike some traditional forms of therapy, EMDR does not require you to repeatedly describe every detail of a traumatic experience. While you’ll identify the memory you wish to work on, much of the processing happens internally. Many people appreciate that they can make progress without feeling they have to retell their story over and over again.
Yes.
EMDR is supported by a substantial body of research and is recognised internationally as an effective treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress. It is recommended in clinical guidelines in many countries as one of the evidence-based approaches for trauma treatment.
The aim of EMDR is not to make you relive your trauma, but to help your brain process memories that remain emotionally distressing.
Some emotions may arise during therapy, which is why preparation and emotional safety are so important. Throughout the process, we’ll work together at a pace that feels manageable, and you remain in control of the session.
This varies from person to person.
The number of sessions depends on factors such as the nature of your experiences, your goals and whether you’re working with a single traumatic event or more complex, long-standing patterns. During your assessment, we’ll discuss what may be appropriate for your situation.
It can be.
EMDR is often used as part of therapy for childhood trauma, particularly when distressing memories continue to affect adult life. However, it is important to ensure that you have sufficient emotional stability and coping resources before beginning trauma processing. For some people, therapy begins with nervous system regulation and emotional safety before EMDR is introduced.
No.
A common misconception is that EMDR places you in a trance or causes you to lose awareness. This is not the case. You remain fully awake, aware and in control throughout the session. You can pause at any time, and therapy proceeds collaboratively based on your comfort and readiness.
No.
Although both approaches may be used within trauma therapy, they are different methods. EMDR uses structured bilateral stimulation to help the brain process distressing memories, whereas hypnotherapy involves guided techniques that work with focused attention and the subconscious mind. If I recommend either approach, I’ll explain why it may be appropriate for your specific goals.
Begin Your Healing Journey
Unresolved memories don’t have to keep shaping your present.
With the right support, your brain and nervous system can process what once felt overwhelming, allowing you to move forward with greater freedom, safety and confidence.
If EMDR is the right fit for your needs, I’ll guide you through the process with compassion, care and at a pace that feels right for you.