EMDR Therapy

What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy recommended by NICE for PTSD. It’s also used for other distressing experiences that continue to affect you in the present.

When something has felt too much to cope with at the time, our brain doesn't always process the experience as it would normally. Parts of the experience can become locked in the brain, meaning that sights, sounds, sensations, situations or people trigger flashbacks, intrusive memories or strong reactions long after the experience itself has passed.

EMDR supports your mind and body to process these experiences to reduce their emotional intensity, helping them feel less overwhelming and have less impact on your day-to-day life.

What can EMDR help with?

EMDR can be used for experiences such as:

• Trauma and PTSD

• Childhood abuse and complex PTSD

• Relationship trauma

• Anxiety and panic linked to past events

• Low self-worth linked to past events

• Grief and loss, including traumatic or sudden loss

• Medical and birth trauma

• Phobias

• Work-related trauma, including healthcare and frontline roles

How does EMDR work?

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping or tones, for short periods while holding a memory in mind.

This helps the brain process what it couldn’t at the time, so the memory feels less overwhelming and easier to sit with. Many people report the memory becoming more distant, less vivid, less emotionally charged, and more clearly rooted in the past.

What are EMDR sessions like?

EMDR follows a structured protocol, but everyone's journey is different.

We begin by having a chat about what has brought you to therapy and your history.

An important part of EMDR is taking time to build steadiness and resources before moving into processing, so that you feel supported during the process.

We then work with the memories, feelings or sensations that continue to affect you, at a pace that feels manageable, and only when you feel ready. You don’t need to talk through every detail of what happened for EMDR to be helpful.

We close sessions carefully, and at the start of the next session check how things have been for you before continuing.

Is EMDR right for me?

EMDR may be worth considering if a past experience continues to affect how you feel, think or respond today.

This could be a recent event, something that happened many years ago, or something happening now that brings back an earlier experience. What matters isn't how long ago it happened, but whether it continues to have an impact on your life.

Many people come to EMDR after trying talking therapy. They understand what happened, but still feel it. EMDR can be used on its own or alongside other therapeutic approaches.

More about EMDR

You can find out more about EMDR and how it may support you by exploring the articles below:

What is EMDR?

Can EMDR help with PTSD?

Can EMDR help with childhood trauma?

Can EMDR help with grief? When loss is sudden or traumatic