EMDR for Trauma

What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an effective therapy for individuals who are struggling with intrusive symptoms and emotional distress as a result of traumatic events that have happened in their lives. 

EMDR therapy allows someone to process their difficulties in brief doses, so as to not overwhelm them. This technique is different to other, more traditional talking therapies, which often spend a lot of time discussing the details of past events. 

EMDR uses eye movements to help your brain quickly access the memories of the traumatic event(s) from the past. The technique of using eye movements means that the individual does not need to talk at length about the difficult memory. 

Instead, the brain begins to break down the memory on its own, until the point where the person is no longer distressed by intrusive thoughts and images. 

EMDR is recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

What to expect?

Phase 1: Initial assessment 

In your first appointment your clinician will ask you questions about yourself, your family, your past and present relationships and the trauma(s) you may have experienced. We don’t need to know all the details of your trauma and you will not have to retell the events. Following the initial assessment, if both you and your clinician have agreed that you are ready to start EMDR, your clinician will set some goals with you and then begin the desensitisation and reprocessing.

Phase 2: Desensitisation and Reprocessing

During this phase of the therapy, the trauma memory is broken down using the brain's natural healing processes. Your clinician will ask you to track a light or their finger moving backwards and forwards across your visual field whilst you recall the memory or feelings you may associate with the original event. 

With repeated sets of eye movements, the trauma memory tends to change in such a way that it loses its painful intensity and becomes a neutral memory of an event in the past. Other associated memories may heal at the same time. This linking of related memories can lead to a dramatic and rapid improvement in many aspects of your life.

It is not a form of hypnosis, you remain in control, fully alert and wide-awake - and you can stop the process at any time. Your clinician will support you throughout. As a result, most people experience EMDR as being a natural and very empowering therapy.

Fees and how to book

Sessions last 60 minutes. Sometimes your clinician may recommend a 90 minute session in order to have more time to desensitise and reprocess a memory. 

The amount of sessions needed depends on the trauma(s). But typically the minimum amount of sessions needed is between six to eight. 

The initial session is billed at £200, follow-up sessions cost £180 per hour.