Sophie J.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based, eight-stage psychotherapy method using bilateral stimulation to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life events.
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EMDR has proven to be effective in reducing the chronic symptoms which follow a traumatic event.
EMDR helps the two sides of the brain to communicate with one another, to process trauma in a way that leads to a peaceful resolution.
EMDR was initially developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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It is a powerful, evidence-based approach that helps the brain naturally process and release painful memories, emotional blocks, and limiting beliefs.
Using bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping), this protocol helps rewire how distressing memories are stored, reducing their emotional charge and allowing the nervous system to return to a sense of calm and safety.
EMDR therapy enables people to recover from symptoms
caused by past traumatic experience.
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​​EMDR focuses on the brain's ability to constantly learn, taking past experiences, and updating them with present information.
Trauma isn't always about a single dramatic event
Big 'T' trauma might include abuse, loss, or combat, while little 't' trauma can stem from ongoing experiences like feeling unloved, unseen, or not safe.
Both can leave lasting imprints on the nervous system.
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EMDR can help you realise that the event is over, returning your body and mind to a less distressed state. EMDR focuses less on the source of stress or the traumatic event that precipitated it and more on the distressing emotions and symptoms associated with it.
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EMDR helps gently process these memories so they no longer hold power over your present, creating space for healing, calm, and connection.​
Attachment wounds often begin in early relationships where our needs for love, safety, or acceptance weren't fully met.
These experiences, for example, neglect, inconsistency, or emotional disconnection, can shape how we trust, set boundaries, relate to others, and ourselves. Over time, they may lead to patterns like people-pleasing, fear of abandonment, or difficulty feeling secure in relationships.
EMDR offers a gentle, powerful way to access and reprocess these early wounds.
By working with the nervous system and stored emotional memories, EMDR helps release old patterns and create space for more grounded self-worth, healthier connections, and a deeper sense of emotional safety.​
What to expect?
EMDR treatment follows a structured eight-step protocol which include resourcing, processing and installation. It is a non-drug, non-hypnosis procedure, that focuses on a troubling memory or emotion while using bilateral stimulation.
Processing trauma requires a brief history taking which might trigger some emotional distress and discomfort. But since EMDR is not a traditional talk-therapy and does not require you to talk about the trauma in details, you might find it less overwhelming than other approaches used to treat trauma. Throughout the sessions, I facilitate and monitor safety and stabilisation as your brain attempts to heal. This often means learning healthy coping skills and emotion regulation strategies.
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While everyone's journey is different, 80% to 90% of people report positive results within their first three sessions.
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How often do I need EMDR therapy?
The number of sessions is dependent on the trauma that needs to be processed and whether EMDR is being used as a stand-alone treatment or as part of another therapy. Typically EMDR is delivered once per week for an average of 6-12 sessions.
The EMDR session
- You will be asked a set of questions to activate the negative experience and the desired adaptive solution.
- Sets of bilateral stimulation (eye movement, tapping, buzzers).
- You will be encouraged to just 'free associate' allowing your mind to follow its train of thoughts.
- Processing will continue until the past experience has been updated to an adaptive present perspective.
Will I get emotional?
Yes, you may. Emotions and sensations may come up during processing, as well as memories you hadn't thought about. I will help you safely manage them. Once they are processed they rarely come back.
EMDR can help with
anger management
anxiety
chronic pain
depression
eating disorders
negative thinking
panic attacks
phobias
PTSD
self-esteem
sleep disorders
and more...
We are not changing what happened -
We are changing the way it lives in us.
What are the benefits?
Effective for trauma recovery
Helps reduce anxiety, phobias and distress
Changes negative thinking
Improves confidence and self-esteem
Improves relationships
Improves focus and concentration
Improves sleep quality
Helps cope with grief
Does not require much talking
Fast results
Are there side effects?
Please note that any form of effective therapy can potentially have side effects. Surfacing of upsetting memories, an increase in distressing memories, heightened emotions and physical sensations during sessions, feeling emotionally drained and vulnerable after a session. These symptoms will typically be addressed and resolved as treatment continues. You will also be given grounding and self-relaxation exercises to use during and outside of sessions.