EMDR
I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) and I am a member of the EMDR Association UK and Ireland. .
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a research evidenced based treatment for a range of difficulties people seek help for, including trauma and abuse, anxiety, phobias, complex grief and addictions.
When we experience a distressing event, it is not unusual for the mind to become overwhelmed and unable to process what has happened. Research suggests that the memory becomes 'frozen' at a neurological level. This can result later in 're-experiencing' what was seen, felt, smelt or heard - often known as 'flashbacks'. The impact of unprocessed trauma can be to reduce the quality of life and relationships for many years to come. .
However, we know from research that the mind can heal itself, in the same way as the body does. This natural way of coping often occurs during sleep, particularly during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
EMDR is a form of therapy which uses this natural process to effectively treat a wide range of mental health problems, such as anxiety, obsessions and trauma/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). People come for EMDR to help with one-off distressing events, such as an attack, rape or a car accident and also for longer traumatic experiences, such as child sexual abuse, domestic violence and war-related violence.
What is an EMDR session like?
In the initial session, I will undertake a detailed assessment, to see if EMDR might work for you. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions and if we are both in agreement to go ahead, we will arrange the next appointment.
EMDR sessions are usually longer than usual counselling or psychotherapy sessions . The initial appointment lasts for one and a half hours and subsequent sessions are usually one hour.
Each session will start with you choosing a specific memory to work on. Eye movements, similar to those during REM sleep, will be recreated by asking you to watch my fingers moving backwards and forwards in front of your eyes. After a short while we will stop the eye movements and I will ask you to tell me about the thoughts, images and feelings you have had during each set of eye movements.
After repeated sets of eye movements, the memory tends to change, lose the painful intensity and simply becomes another 'ordinary' memory of an event in the past, no longer causing the intensity of distress or pain. Often other linked memories may be addressed at the same time. This can lead to dramatic and rapid improvement in many areas of life.
Impact of EMDR and research evidence base
In my experience EMDR is a powerful therapy, which has the potential to create real and lasting change. Recent research confirms the effectiveness of EMDR, and it has become a key therapy recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
See www.getselfhelp.co.uk and also www.emdrassociation.uk for more information.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a research evidenced based treatment for a range of difficulties people seek help for, including trauma and abuse, anxiety, phobias, complex grief and addictions.
When we experience a distressing event, it is not unusual for the mind to become overwhelmed and unable to process what has happened. Research suggests that the memory becomes 'frozen' at a neurological level. This can result later in 're-experiencing' what was seen, felt, smelt or heard - often known as 'flashbacks'. The impact of unprocessed trauma can be to reduce the quality of life and relationships for many years to come. .
However, we know from research that the mind can heal itself, in the same way as the body does. This natural way of coping often occurs during sleep, particularly during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
EMDR is a form of therapy which uses this natural process to effectively treat a wide range of mental health problems, such as anxiety, obsessions and trauma/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). People come for EMDR to help with one-off distressing events, such as an attack, rape or a car accident and also for longer traumatic experiences, such as child sexual abuse, domestic violence and war-related violence.
What is an EMDR session like?
In the initial session, I will undertake a detailed assessment, to see if EMDR might work for you. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions and if we are both in agreement to go ahead, we will arrange the next appointment.
EMDR sessions are usually longer than usual counselling or psychotherapy sessions . The initial appointment lasts for one and a half hours and subsequent sessions are usually one hour.
Each session will start with you choosing a specific memory to work on. Eye movements, similar to those during REM sleep, will be recreated by asking you to watch my fingers moving backwards and forwards in front of your eyes. After a short while we will stop the eye movements and I will ask you to tell me about the thoughts, images and feelings you have had during each set of eye movements.
After repeated sets of eye movements, the memory tends to change, lose the painful intensity and simply becomes another 'ordinary' memory of an event in the past, no longer causing the intensity of distress or pain. Often other linked memories may be addressed at the same time. This can lead to dramatic and rapid improvement in many areas of life.
Impact of EMDR and research evidence base
In my experience EMDR is a powerful therapy, which has the potential to create real and lasting change. Recent research confirms the effectiveness of EMDR, and it has become a key therapy recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
See www.getselfhelp.co.uk and also www.emdrassociation.uk for more information.