EMDR therapy
A structured approach to healing from distressing experiences in Banbury or online
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy designed to help people process distressing or traumatic experiences. It is recognised internationally as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD and has also been shown to help with anxiety, depression and other difficulties. EMDR works with the brain's natural healing processes, allowing memories to be reprocessed safely and at your pace.
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing and was developed in 1987 by psychologist Francine Shapiro. It is recognised by both the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a recommended treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
If you're looking for trauma-focused therapy in Banbury, EMDR may be a helpful approach.
Research over the past 30 years has also shown EMDR to be effective in alleviating symptoms of anxiety, depression, addictions, phobias and behavioural difficulties.
How trauma affects the mind and body
Our bodies and minds are excellent at healing naturally and much of this occurs during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep. When experiencing everyday events, our brains store memories smoothly and in a network of relative information.
A trauma response can occur when distressing experiences are perceived as life-threatening, causing the brain's natural processes for assimilating information to go offline. As a result, the event can remain imprinted in a raw and heightened state in the limbic system (responsible for regulating emotions and behaviour).
Even if a memory is long forgotten, unprocessed trauma can be felt through discordant responses in our nervous system, including anxiety and panic, anger or despair and disengaging with reality. In this way, trauma is like a wound and comes from the Greek word 'to pierce', referring to the piercing of a soldier's armour during battle. If our brain does not have the chance to heal at the time of a distressing event, it may not realise the threat is over and can remain stuck in protection.
How does EMDR help?
Unlike counselling alone, EMDR is a structured treatment model utilising the brain's own healing mechanisms to create connections between memory networks and update them with new meaningful information. This contextualising of experience helps create distance between the memory and the threat response, storing it appropriately as something that happened in the past.
EMDR's structured eight-phase protocol ensures sessions will only go at the client's pace: first identifying which memories would be helpful to process, then building resources for stabilisation and regulation before moving onto the phase of bilateral stimulation for reprocessing.
A key benefit of EMDR is that it supports moving past trauma without reliving it in detail. Sometimes clients are unaware of how much events in the past are affecting their present until they begin talking in a compassionate and validating space. Inner wounds may come to the surface as protective systems soften, and blending Francine Shapiro's protocol into sessions offers gentle but effective and empowering healing.
EMDR in my practice
I offer EMDR therapy from my practice in Banbury and online.
I qualified with a recognised training provider as stipulated by EMDR Europe. Utilising EMDR within my practice has demonstrated for me its efficacy in freeing clients from painful events of the past in relatively few sessions. The nature of trauma and the complexity of feelings mean different people respond differently, but the work often strengthens a connection to an individual's still, small voice inside — the most trustworthy guide for moving forward.
Sessions & getting started
EMDR can be offered as a standalone therapy or integrated into counselling sessions, depending on your needs. If you are considering EMDR, I offer a consultation session and reading materials to help you understand the process, discuss your needs and answer any questions.
Considering EMDR therapy?
If you're wondering whether EMDR could be helpful for you, a consultation session is available. There's no obligation — just a supportive and informed place to begin.
Acknowledgements to EMDR Europe and BACP.