What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach specifically designed to help people process traumatic memories and reduce emotional distress. During EMDR, you'll recall a traumatic memory while your eyes follow a moving object (or using another form of bilateral stimulation). This process helps your brain reprocess the memory in a way that reduces its emotional impact.
Decades of research have shown EMDR to be highly effective for PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and related conditions. The technique is endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and major mental health organisations worldwide.
Important:Â EMDR works differently than talk therapy. Rather than focusing on discussing your trauma in detail, EMDR helps your mind naturally process and integrate traumatic memories so they no longer trigger intense emotional and physical responses.
How EMDR Therapy Works
01
Assessment & Preparation
In initial sessions, we assess your trauma history and build a strong therapeutic relationship. I'll explain the EMDR process fully so you understand what to expect and feel prepared.
02
Memory Identification & Targeting
We identify the traumatic memory you want to process. You'll describe the memory, the feelings associated with it, and physical sensations. This helps us focus the EMDR process.
03
Bilateral Stimulation
While recalling the traumatic memory, you'll follow my finger or another visual stimulus as it moves side-to-side (or we'll use an alternative form of bilateral stimulation like tapping). This activates both hemispheres of your brain.
04
Processing & Integration
With bilateral stimulation, your brain naturally begins to process the memory. You may notice the traumatic image becoming less vivid, emotions softening, or new insights emerging. This is the healing happening.
05
Reevaluation & Closure
After each EMDR session, we check your progress. The traumatic memory typically becomes less emotionally charged. We may process additional related memories or consolidate the healing that's occurred.
EMDR is Effective For:
âś“ Trauma & PTSD
Single-incident trauma, complex trauma, combat trauma, sexual assault, accidents—EMDR helps process difficult memories that continue to trigger distress.
âś“ Childhood Trauma
Early life experiences shape us deeply. EMDR can help heal the impact of childhood trauma and attachment wounds.
âś“ Birth Trauma
Difficult birth experiences can have lasting emotional impacts. EMDR helps process birth trauma and support postpartum mental health.
âś“ Anxiety & Phobias
EMDR can reduce anxiety and treat specific phobias by processing the underlying memories fueling the fear response.
âś“ Grief & Loss
While grief is natural, traumatic loss can result in complicated grief. EMDR can help process intense grief reactions.
âś“Â Performance Anxiety
If past failures or embarrassment are triggering performance anxiety, EMDR can help desensitize those memories.
Why EMDR Works
When we experience trauma, the memory can become "stuck" in our brain without proper processing. Your mind doesn't naturally move past it. EMDR facilitates the natural healing process by:
→Reducing the emotional charge associated with traumatic memories
→Allowing your brain to reprocess trauma in a safe, controlled way
→Converting traumatic memories into neutral autobiographical memories
→Reducing or eliminating physical and emotional trauma responses
Is Online EMDR Effective?
Yes. Research shows online EMDR is just as effective as in-person EMDR for many clients. The therapeutic relationship and the EMDR process itself are what drive healing—the medium (video or in-person) is secondary.
Online EMDR Advantages
âś“ Access from your safe home environment
âś“ No travel time or commute stress
âś“ Greater scheduling flexibility
âś“ Privacy and comfort during vulnerable processing
âś“ Same clinical effectiveness as in-person
What You Need
âś“ A device (computer, tablet, smartphone)
âś“ Stable internet connection
âś“ A private, quiet space
âś“ Comfortable seating
âś“ A willingness to engage in the process
EMDR Session Details
Session Structure
- Initial Sessions:Â 3-4 sessions for assessment, psychoeducation, and skill-building
- Processing Sessions:Â 4-12+ sessions focusing on trauma processing
- Closure Sessions:Â Final sessions to consolidate gains and prepare for independence
Duration & Frequency
- Session Length:Â 60-90 minutes
- Frequency:Â Typically weekly or bi-weekly for intensive healing
- Timeline:Â Varies; many clients see significant improvement in 8-12 sessions
Couples Therapy Pricing
ÂŁ120
per 60-minute session
EMDR typically requires 8-15 sessions depending on the complexity of your trauma. We'll discuss estimated treatment duration and costs during your free consultation.
I work with UK insurance providers. Many insurance plans cover EMDR—we can explore your coverage options during consultation.
Learn More About EMDR Therapy
What is EMDR?
Complete guide to understanding how EMDR works and why it's one of the most effective evidence-based treatments for trauma.
EMDR for Anxiety
Discover how EMDR rewires anxious responses and how bilateral stimulation helps calm your nervous system for lasting relief.
Healing from Trauma
Learn how EMDR helps process traumatic memories and transform emotional wounds into integrated life experiences.
Ready to Process Your Trauma?
EMDR can help you heal from trauma and reclaim your life. Start with a free 20-minute consultation.
Book Your Free Consultation