I qualified as an EMDR Therapist in 2022 after undergoing accredited training.
** COMING SOON **
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic or distressing experiences. Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR has become widely recognized as a highly effective treatment for trauma-related disorders, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Unlike traditional talk therapies, EMDR does not require detailed discussion of the traumatic event. Instead, it focuses on the brain's natural ability to process and resolve disturbing memories. According to Shapiro (2001), “EMDR therapy facilitates the accessing and processing of traumatic memories to bring these to an adaptive resolution” .
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, often in the form of eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones, to help desensitize emotional responses to traumatic memories. During a session, the client recalls distressing experiences while the therapist guides them through these bilateral movements. The goal is to reduce the emotional intensity of the memories and allow the brain to reprocess them in a healthier way.
As the UK-based EMDR Association explains, “EMDR helps to reprocess memories so that they lose their intense emotional charge, allowing the client to recall them in a way that no longer feels distressing” . By doing so, EMDR helps clients integrate these past experiences without the overwhelming emotional response, enabling them to move forward with a greater sense of peace and control.
What Can EMDR Help With?
Originally developed to treat PTSD, EMDR has since been found effective for a wide range of conditions beyond trauma, including:
What to Expect in an EMDR Session
EMDR therapy is structured into eight phases, starting with history-taking and preparation, and moving into the desensitization and reprocessing of traumatic memories. Sessions typically last around 60 to 90 minutes, and progress is often quicker than with other forms of therapy. Clients frequently report a significant reduction in the emotional intensity of their memories after just a few sessions.
It’s important to note that EMDR therapy doesn’t erase memories—it helps you process them so they no longer hold the same power. As Shapiro (2018) describes, "The memories remain, but the negative emotional response is diminished" .
** COMING SOON **
** COMING SOON **
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic or distressing experiences. Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR has become widely recognized as a highly effective treatment for trauma-related disorders, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Unlike traditional talk therapies, EMDR does not require detailed discussion of the traumatic event. Instead, it focuses on the brain's natural ability to process and resolve disturbing memories. According to Shapiro (2001), “EMDR therapy facilitates the accessing and processing of traumatic memories to bring these to an adaptive resolution” .
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, often in the form of eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones, to help desensitize emotional responses to traumatic memories. During a session, the client recalls distressing experiences while the therapist guides them through these bilateral movements. The goal is to reduce the emotional intensity of the memories and allow the brain to reprocess them in a healthier way.
As the UK-based EMDR Association explains, “EMDR helps to reprocess memories so that they lose their intense emotional charge, allowing the client to recall them in a way that no longer feels distressing” . By doing so, EMDR helps clients integrate these past experiences without the overwhelming emotional response, enabling them to move forward with a greater sense of peace and control.
What Can EMDR Help With?
Originally developed to treat PTSD, EMDR has since been found effective for a wide range of conditions beyond trauma, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Phobias
- Grief and loss
- Performance anxiety
- Relationship issues
What to Expect in an EMDR Session
EMDR therapy is structured into eight phases, starting with history-taking and preparation, and moving into the desensitization and reprocessing of traumatic memories. Sessions typically last around 60 to 90 minutes, and progress is often quicker than with other forms of therapy. Clients frequently report a significant reduction in the emotional intensity of their memories after just a few sessions.
It’s important to note that EMDR therapy doesn’t erase memories—it helps you process them so they no longer hold the same power. As Shapiro (2018) describes, "The memories remain, but the negative emotional response is diminished" .
** COMING SOON **
