EMDR

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence based psychological therapy that helps people process distressing, traumatic or overwhelming experiences that continue to impact on their lives.

Sometimes experiences from the past can remain emotionally unresolved, even when we know intellectually that they happened a long time ago. This can mean that memories, situations or reminders continue to trigger strong emotional responses, anxiety, distress, or difficulties in relationships and everyday life.

EMDR was originally developed as a treatment for trauma and PTSD, and there is strong evidence supporting its effectiveness for PTSD. It is also increasingly being used across a broader range of psychological difficulties, including depression, anxiety and other difficulties associated with distressing life experiences.

What can EMDR be helpful for?

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  • Complex PTSD and complex trauma

  • Developmental and childhood trauma

  • Distressing or overwhelming life experiences

  • Chronic or recurrent depression

  • Anxiety and other psychological difficulties

  • Experiences and difficulties that have developed across different stages of life

One of the strengths of EMDR is that it can be used in a transdiagnostic way. This means that treatment is not necessarily focused only on a particular diagnosis, but on the experiences, memories and underlying difficulties that may be contributing to a person’s current distress.

EMDR can also complement Schema Therapy particularly well. Schema Therapy helps us understand longstanding patterns in the way we think, feel and relate to ourselves and others, including how these patterns may have developed through earlier life experiences. EMDR can then provide a way of processing some of the distressing experiences and memories that may sit underneath or contribute to these patterns. The two approaches can therefore work together to address both the origins of difficulties and the ways they continue to affect us in the present.

I have completed Level 1 EMDR training and will be completing Level 2 training in early 2027. I am incorporating EMDR into my clinical practice where appropriate, alongside other evidence-based psychological approaches. I will work with you to assess whether EMDR is a suitable approach for your individual circumstances and treatment goals.

If you would like to know more about EMDR or whether it may be helpful for you, I would be very happy to discuss this with you.