Trauma Therapy
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychological therapy developed by Dr Francine Shapiro to help people process traumatic or distressing experiences.
EMDR was originally developed to support people experiencing psychological difficulties following trauma, including one-off events such as road traffic accidents, and repeated experiences such as childhood abuse or violence. While it is best known as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), EMDR is now used to support a wide range of psychological presentations.
EMDR may help with:
- PTSD
- Anxiety conditions
- Depression
- Addictions
- OCD
- Grief
- Relationship difficulties
- Chronic pain
- Health-related conditions
- And more
How EMDR works
EMDR is based on a model called Adaptive Information Processing (AIP). Trauma may overwhelm the brain’s natural ability to process information, causing memories to become stuck or unprocessed. This can lead to distressing symptoms in the present day.
Therapy involves focusing on a specific incident while using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements. This activates both sides of the brain and can help the memory to be processed, creating new associations and insights while reducing emotional distress.
Further information
The video below provides more information about EMDR. There is also a wealth of information available from the EMDR Association UK.
EMDR Accreditation
Working with an accredited EMDR therapist
I am an accredited EMDR practitioner. Choosing an accredited therapist provides reassurance that your treatment is being delivered by a clinician who has demonstrated advanced competence in EMDR and continues to maintain the highest professional standards.
EMDR accreditation is awarded only after extensive post-training supervision and the demonstration of safe, effective clinical practice across a range of presentations, including complex trauma. It reflects a commitment to ongoing professional development and high-quality, evidence-based care.
If you are considering EMDR therapy and would like to discuss whether it may be helpful for you, I would be pleased to arrange an initial conversation.
