EMDR Therapy
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is a therapy invented by Dr Francine Shapiro. In 1987, while she was walking in a park,
Dr Shapiro noticed that after rapid eye movements certain disturbing thought and feelings became less intense. Therapists and researchers through out the world have used her findings to develop EMDR, which uses rapid eye movements to relieve long-term distress. EMDR is recognised by the medical professions.
In March 2005 the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended EMDR in the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The guidelines are based on a number of high quality randomised control trials.
What problems can EMDR therapy treat?
• EMDR has been successfully used to treat:
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Flashbacks
• Depression
• Phobias
• Addictions
• Grief and bereavement
• Anxiety, guilt and anger
• Panic attacks
• Sleep disturbances
• Performance anxiety
How does EMDR therapy work?
While we are asleep, we naturally get rapid eye movement (REM), which repeatedly stimulates the right, and left sides of the brain in turn to try and process information. But when we suffer a traumatic experience, it can overwhelm our brain and we become unable to process this information. This can lead to a disturbing memory, which affects us long after the event. By moving the eyes back and forth, while concentrating on the disturbing memory EMDR kick-starts and speeds up this natural healing process. EMDR help us to finish processing information and can replace 'negative' associations of the memory with 'positive' associations.
EMDR therapy works using three processes
1.Eye movements or other (BLS) tapping on hands/knees or auditory stimulation.
2.Desensitisation this refers to removing the emotions associated with the memory.
3.Reprocessing this replaces our negative beliefs, associated with a traumatic memory with healthier more positive beliefs.
How long does EMDR therapy take?
How many sessions will depend on your problem, your history and how well you respond to the therapy. Because EMDR can work quickly it can shorten your overall time in therapy. For small T's (traumas) 1-3 sessions have been sufficient for more complex problems 5-12 sessions. I will discuss and agree with you how many sessions at your first appointment. The sessions are 60-90 minutes depending on a number of factors.
Should I have EMDR therapy?
EMDR can be a very intense emotional experience, however your safety and emotional well being comes first, and I may suggest counselling and self-induced relaxation techniques initially to prepare you for the therapy.

You can make an appointment by going to the contact page and either emailing or phoning me.
I usually ask for your first sessions to be paid in advance in order to confirm the booking. If you need to cancel or rearrange a therapy session and you give me more than 24 hours (working days) notice, I am happy to refund your payment. If the session is cancelled within 24 hours of the appointment the fee is still payable.
Cost of session. Ł50.00 per 60 minute session / Ł70.00 per 90mins session.
I trained with the EMDR institute in October 2006, and also with LCCH in 2008.
I am a member of the EMDR UK Association. http://www.emdrassociation.org.uk http://www.lcch.co.uk