EMDR Therapy
A structured and collaborative approach to working with distressing memories and the lasting effects of trauma.
What Is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a structured form of psychotherapy that can help people process distressing experiences and memories that may continue to feel emotionally present.
Reminders in the present can sometimes activate emotions, physical sensations or beliefs connected with an earlier experience. EMDR aims to help the memory become less distressing and feel more clearly located in the past. It does not remove what happened, but it may reduce the influence it has on your life now.
What Does EMDR Involve?
EMDR is an eight-phase approach, it is structured and collaborative. Time is first given to understanding your history and building trust, then we develop and build resources that can help you feel grounded and supported. For some people, this preparation is relatively brief. For others, particularly where experiences have been repeated, complex or connected with dissociation, more time may be needed.
When you feel sufficiently prepared, we agree on the memory, belief or present-day trigger that we will focus on. The subsequent stages include bilateral stimulation, which commonly involves eye movements, although alternating sounds or gentle self-tapping may also be used.
You remain awake, aware and in control throughout. We can pause at any time, and the pace will be shaped around your individual needs. We will regularly review how the work is feeling and whether EMDR continues to be the right approach for you.
Could EMDR be helpful for me?
EMDR is best established for PTSD and trauma-related difficulties. It may be considered when distressing memories still feel vivid, present-day situations trigger strong reactions or earlier experiences continue to affect how you feel about yourself and relate to others.
How long does it take?
The length of therapy varies according to your experiences, current circumstances and the amount of preparation needed. We will review the work together and, where possible, I will provide an estimated number of sessions rather than a fixed number.
Preparation and resourcing is usually incorporated into regular therapy sessions. When we agree that you are ready to move into dedicated EMDR processing, these appointments allow up to 80 minutes, giving us additional time for focused processing and appropriate closure.
EMDR sessions do not need to be consecutive. Where appropriate, we can move between EMDR and regular integrative therapy, adapting the pace and focus of the work according to your individual needs.
Online or In Person
EMDR may be offered online or during a limited number of in-person appointments in Purbeck. The format and practical arrangements will be discussed with you before any processing begins.
EMDR is not automatically right for everyone or at every stage of therapy. We will consider this carefully and collaboratively.
EMDR sessions can be booked individually or as a discounted package. Please see Sessions & Fees for current pricing.
