I am very pleased to share that I am now EMDR qualified. I am looking forward to bringing what I have learned into my work with clients here in St Albans and online. If you have seen the term before and wondered what it means, this post is for you.
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a structured form of therapy, developed in the late 1980s, to help people process distressing or traumatic experiences. Sometimes a difficult memory does not seem to settle in the way other memories do. It can still feel vivid and raw, and it can be set off by a sound, a place or a situation that seems to come from nowhere.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, most commonly guided side-to-side eye movements, while you briefly bring a memory to mind. The aim is to help the brain process that memory, so that it can begin to feel more like something that happened in the past and less like something still happening now. You stay awake, aware and in control throughout, and we would only go at a pace that feels manageable for you.
Who can EMDR help?
EMDR is best known for its use with trauma. NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, recommends it as a treatment option for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults, in its guidance on PTSD. It is also used with some people who experience anxiety or phobias, particularly when these seem linked to a specific event or set of experiences.
It is not right for everyone or every situation, and I would never promise a particular result. Everyone’s experience of therapy is different. Part of my job is to think carefully with you about whether EMDR is likely to be helpful, whether now is the right time, and what support needs to be in place first.
How EMDR fits with my existing work
I should be clear that EMDR is not a new, separate service. It is an additional qualification that I bring to the work I already do. You do not need to book anything different, and there is no separate EMDR fee or appointment type.
Many of my clients come to me for psychotherapy sessions in St Albans or for clinical hypnotherapy, and I also offer counselling. My approach has always been integrated, drawing on different models depending on what will suit each person. EMDR now joins those options. Where it seems appropriate, I may suggest using EMDR techniques within your existing therapy, and we would talk it through together before doing so. Nothing happens without your agreement.
EMDR takes place one-to-one, in the privacy of an individual session, rather than in a group.
What to expect
If you are curious, the best place to begin is simply a conversation. We would start by talking about what has brought you to therapy and what you would like to change. If EMDR might be useful, I would explain how it works and what it would involve for you, and answer any questions. There is usually a period of preparation, so that you have ways of feeling steady and grounded before we do any work with difficult memories.
Some people worry that they will have to describe a painful experience in detail. Please do not let that put you off. We can talk about how much you want to share, and you stay in charge of the process at every stage.
Taking the first step
Reaching out can feel daunting, particularly if you have been carrying something difficult for a long time. There is no pressure, and you do not need to know exactly what kind of therapy you are looking for. You can read more about my background on the About page, or look through the frequently asked questions first.
If you are in crisis or worried about your immediate safety, please contact your GP, call NHS 111 or call 999 in an emergency.
Ready to talk? Get in touch to arrange your free, no-obligation consultation. You can call me on 07855 918895, or find me at Suite 5, 7 French Row, St Albans.