EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a form of psychotherapy developed to help people who have experienced trauma or other distressing events.
Sometimes difficult experiences continue to affect us long after they have happened. You may find yourself feeling anxious, overwhelmed or reacting strongly to situations without fully understanding why.
EMDR aims to help people process these experiences so that the memories become less distressing and have less influence on their lives.
How Does EMDR Work?
When we experience something distressing, the memory can sometimes remain closely connected with the emotions, physical sensations and beliefs we had at the time.
EMDR involves focusing on aspects of a difficult memory while using bilateral stimulation. This usually involves following movements from side to side with your eyes, although other methods, such as alternating sounds or tapping, can also be used.
The aim is to help you process the experience so that you can remember what happened without feeling the same level of distress.
You do not have to describe every detail of a traumatic experience for EMDR to be helpful.
What Can EMDR Help With?
EMDR is an established treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also used to work with other difficulties that may be connected to distressing experiences, including anxiety, negative beliefs about yourself and the effects of childhood trauma.
Not everyone who comes for EMDR has experienced one particular traumatic event. Sometimes difficulties develop through experiences that have happened repeatedly or over a long period of time.
We can explore together whether EMDR is likely to be helpful for you.
The First Three Sessions
I usually begin with three assessment sessions, including when someone comes specifically for EMDR.
During these sessions, we will explore what has brought you to therapy, your personal history and the difficulties you are experiencing now.
This gives me time to understand more about your experiences and assess whether EMDR is an appropriate treatment for you. We will also consider how you manage difficult feelings and whether some preparation may be needed before working directly with distressing memories.
The sessions give you an opportunity to ask questions, understand how I work and decide whether you feel comfortable working with me.
By the end of the third session, I hope that we will have a shared understanding of what you would like help with and a plan for how we might move forward.
Sometimes this means beginning EMDR processing. At other times, we may agree that further preparation or a different approach would be more helpful.
What Happens During EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is a structured therapy, but the work is adapted to your individual needs.
Before processing difficult memories, we will make sure that you understand the process and have ways of managing any distress that may arise.
We will work together to identify the experiences and difficulties that you would like to address.
EMDR can bring up difficult feelings, so it is important that we work at a pace that feels manageable. We will regularly review how you are finding the therapy and what you need as the work progresses.
My Approach
I am an EMDR Accredited Practitioner and a BACP Senior Accredited psychotherapist.
My background is in psychodynamic psychotherapy, and I bring this experience into my EMDR work. I am interested not only in the difficulties you are experiencing now, but also in understanding your personal history, relationships and the ways you have learned to cope.
I believe it is important to take time to understand each person rather than assume that one approach will suit everyone.
Sessions and Fees
I offer EMDR therapy in Exeter, Totnes/Dartington and online.
Sessions last 50 minutes and cost £85, including the initial assessment sessions.
If you are considering EMDR and would like to discuss whether it might be suitable for you, please feel free to get in touch.
Further Information About EMDR
You can find more information about EMDR therapy, research and professional accreditation through the EMDR Association UK, the UK professional association for EMDR therapists.
