EMDR
EMDR (eye movement, desensitisation and reprocessing) is a type of trauma therapy which aims to integrate stuck, traumatic memories and reduce distress, including nightmares, flashbacks and intrusive thoughts. It is especially helpful for PTSD and C-PTSD type symtpoms, but can be effective for a wide range of issues.
About EMDR
EMDR is most commonly used to treat PTSD and C-PTSD symptoms, but is also very effective for:
-
Anxiety and intrusive thoughts
-
Phobias
-
Grief
-
Chronic pain
-
Depression
-
OCD
-
and many other conditions and concerns.
EMDR is recommended by both NICE (National Instituse for Care and Excellence) and the WHO (World Health Organisation) as a powerful, research backed method of working with trauma and related mental health difficulties.
It differs from traditional talking therapy in that it also incorporates a type of bi-lateral stimulation (BLS), usually eye movements, tapping, sounds, or lights. It can be used as a standalone therapy, or incorporated into a longer-term integrative talking therapy when specific issues arise which you might feel 'stuck' on.
I am a trained EMDR UK Association Therapist - you can click on their logo here to find out more about EMDR, it's uses, and what an EMDR session might look like.
What to expect from EMDR
Phases 1 & 2
History taking and Preparation
These stages are most like traditional talking therapy where you will explore with your therapist your background, important information, goals for therapy and build the therapeutic relationship. It is important to make sure trauma processing is appropriate and suitable, and that you are well equipped to manage before continuing to the next phases.
You might re-visit this phase at various points during the course of EMDR for further grounding and stabilisation.
Phases 3-6
Assessment and Desensitisation
This is where we will prepare a memory, or 'target' (which can be a cluster of memories or experiences), and begin the desensitisation and processing. This does not involve you talking about your trauma or disclosing uncomfortable experiences to your therapist, but you will likely experience difficult thoughts, emotions and sensations and difficult memories may surface. This can be part of the process and the best way to navigate this is often to keep going, however it may also be suitable to return to the preparation phase to ensure you are fully resourced and feel able to continue with the trauma processing.
Phases 7 & 8
Closure and Re-evaluation
When distress has been sufficiently reduced, the processing will come to an end. This may be the end of the therpay, or you may have additional memories or experiences you want to re-visit, in which case we will go back to stage 3 and begin the processing again with new or additional material.
Duration & Fees
It's impossible to say before starting how long a course of EMDR take. It can be very focused on a single incident or event, or it can incorporate many events or situations.
We can target specific memories to keep it more contained, and processing itself can range from a single session to many sessions. Some people also might need several weeks or even months of grounding and stabilisation preparation beforehand to ensure processing is manageable and safe.
We can work together to explore your needs before we begin and make sure EMDR is suitable and appropriate.
50-minute Session
Phases 1 & 2 are commonly approached like 'typical' psychotherapy sessions in which weekly or fortnightly meetings are effective in learning your needs, experiences and expectations for therapy.
These are priced at £60 per session.
75-minute Session
Extended 75-minute sessions might be preferred once the processing begins as this can often be quite intensive, with time needed for safe and contained endings. It is not recommended to meet less than weekly during this phase, with some people preferring 2x weekly sessions.
These sessions are £90.
Though it is possible to complete processing in shorter, 50-minute sessions at £60.
