What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps the brain process distressing or traumatic experiences that may have become "stuck".
When something overwhelming happens, the brain doesn't always have the opportunity to process it fully. Memories, emotions, body sensations and negative beliefs can remain just beneath the surface, continuing to affect everyday life long after the event has passed.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess these experiences so they become less distressing and no longer hold the same emotional intensity.
Unlike traditional talking therapy, EMDR doesn't rely solely on talking through difficult experiences repeatedly. Instead, it supports the brain's natural ability to heal and process what has happened.
EMDR was originally developed to treat PTSD, but it can also be effective for a wide range of experiences and difficulties, including:
Trauma and PTSD
Complex trauma and childhood experiences
Anxiety and panic
Distressing memories
Low self-esteem and shame
Phobias
Grief and loss
Medical trauma
Performance anxiety
If you're unsure whether EMDR is the right approach, this can be explored together during an initial consultation.
What happens in an EMDR session?
A common misconception is that EMDR begins by immediately processing traumatic memories.
The first stage of any therapy focuses on understanding what has brought you, building trust and ensuring you feel safe enough to begin trauma work. Time is spent developing coping strategies and emotional resources before any processing begins.
When the time feels right, we'll identify a specific memory or experience to work on together. We'll look at the images, thoughts, emotions and body sensations connected to that memory before beginning the processing phase.
During processing, we use bilateral stimulation (alternating left and right stimulation of the brain). Research has consistently shown that this supports the brain's natural ability to process and integrate difficult experiences, although the exact reason why it works is still being explored. One theory is that it engages similar processes to those involved in REM sleep, the stage of sleep where our brains naturally process information and consolidate memories.
Bilateral stimulation can be delivered in several different ways. The most common method in my practice is using handheld buzzers that gently alternate from one hand to the other. Some people prefer to follow a moving light or my fingers with their eyes, while others choose alternating tapping or bilateral audio through headphones during online sessions. We can decide together which method feels most comfortable for you.
As the processing unfolds, the aim is for the memory to become less distressing and less emotionally overwhelming. While the memory itself remains, many people find it begins to feel more like something that happened in the past, rather than something they are continually reliving in the present. Alongside this, negative beliefs can begin to shift, allowing more balanced and compassionate perspectives to develop.
Throughout the process:
You remain in control.
You can pause at any time.
Nothing is rushed.
Therapy moves at a pace that feels safe for you.
If you'd like a more detailed explanation of how EMDR works, what to expect and the research behind it, EMDR Europe has produced a great guide for clients:
What makes my approach different?
Rather than following a rigid protocol, I integrate EMDR within a broader, trauma informed approach to therapy. I understand trauma through a neurodiversity affirming lens, recognising that ADHD, autism and other forms of neurodivergence can shape how trauma is experienced, processed and expressed. Therapy is always adapted to your individual needs, rather than expecting you to fit a particular model.
Creating a space where you feel safe, understood and in control is at the heart of my work. Trauma processing can feel daunting, so it's important that therapy moves at a pace that feels manageable for you. My role is never to push or rush the process, but to support you through it with compassion, curiosity and care.