Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the most effective treatments for trauma, yet many people in Guildford and Surrey have never heard of it. As an EMDR therapist in Guildford with post-doctoral qualifications in this approach, I’ve helped numerous clients process traumatic memories and move forward with their lives.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It’s recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a recommended treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Unlike traditional talking therapies, EMDR doesn’t require you to talk in detail about the traumatic event. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation – typically eye movements, but sometimes taps or sounds – to help your brain process traumatic memories in a new way.
How Does EMDR Work?
When you experience trauma, your brain’s normal processing system can become overwhelmed. The traumatic memory gets ‘stuck’, stored in a raw, unprocessed form. This is why trauma survivors often experience flashbacks, nightmares and intense emotional reactions when reminded of the event – their brain is re-experiencing the trauma as if it’s happening now.
EMDR helps your brain process these stuck memories. During EMDR sessions at my practice in Guildford, I’ll guide you to recall the traumatic memory whilst simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation. This dual attention appears to activate your brain’s natural healing processes, allowing the memory to be processed and stored in a more adaptive way.
After successful EMDR treatment, the memory remains, but it no longer carries the same emotional charge. You can remember what happened without experiencing the overwhelming distress.
What Conditions Can EMDR Treat?
Whilst EMDR is best known as a trauma therapy in Surrey, research has shown it’s effective for various conditions:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
EMDR is a first-line treatment for PTSD. Whether your trauma stems from a single incident (like an accident or assault) or repeated experiences (such as childhood abuse or domestic violence), EMDR can help process these memories.
Anxiety Disorders
Many anxiety problems have their roots in past negative experiences. As a clinical psychologist offering anxiety therapy in Surrey, I often use EMDR to address the underlying memories that fuel anxiety symptoms.
Depression
Depression can sometimes be linked to unresolved traumatic experiences or painful memories. EMDR can help process these experiences, often leading to improvements in mood.
Phobias
Specific phobias often develop after a frightening experience. EMDR can help process the memory that created the phobia, reducing or eliminating the fear response.
Complex Trauma
For individuals who experienced repeated trauma, particularly in childhood, EMDR can be adapted to safely process multiple traumatic memories over time.
The Eight Phases of EMDR
EMDR therapy follows a structured eight-phase approach:
Phase 1: History and Treatment Planning
We’ll discuss your history and identify which memories to target. Not everyone is ready to start processing trauma immediately, and that’s perfectly acceptable.
Phase 2: Preparation
I’ll teach you coping skills and relaxation techniques to use during and between sessions. This phase is crucial for ensuring you feel safe and resourced before beginning trauma processing.
Phase 3: Assessment
We’ll identify specific aspects of the target memory, including the images, beliefs and body sensations associated with it.
Phases 4-7: Processing and Integration
These phases involve the actual reprocessing work using bilateral stimulation. We’ll work through the memory until it no longer causes distress, then install positive beliefs and check for any remaining tension in your body.
Phase 8: Re-evaluation
At the start of each session, we’ll check that previously processed memories remain resolved and identify any new targets.
What to Expect During EMDR Sessions
EMDR sessions at my Guildford practice typically last 60-90 minutes. During reprocessing, I’ll ask you to hold the traumatic memory in mind whilst following my hand movements with your eyes (or experiencing another form of bilateral stimulation).
You might notice various thoughts, feelings, images or sensations arising. This is normal and indicates your brain is processing the memory. Some people find EMDR quite intense emotionally, whilst others experience it as surprisingly gentle. Everyone’s experience is unique.
After a processing session, you might feel tired. Some people experience vivid dreams or notice memories surfacing between sessions. These are signs that your brain is continuing to process the material.
EMDR vs Traditional Therapy
Many clients ask me how EMDR differs from traditional talking therapy or CBT in Guildford. The key difference is that EMDR doesn’t require you to talk extensively about the trauma. This can be a relief for people who find it too distressing to describe what happened in detail.
EMDR also tends to work more quickly than traditional trauma therapy. Whilst complex trauma may require extended treatment, single-incident trauma can often be successfully processed in just a few sessions.
Is EMDR Right for You?
EMDR can be highly effective, but it’s not suitable for everyone. You need to be in a relatively stable place in your life to undertake trauma processing. If you’re currently in crisis or experiencing active suicidal thoughts, we would focus on stabilisation first.
Some people benefit from combining EMDR with other approaches. For instance, I sometimes integrate EMDR with dialectical behaviour therapy skills for clients who need additional emotion regulation support.
Finding an EMDR Therapist in Guildford
If you’re considering EMDR therapy in Guildford, it’s essential to work with a properly trained therapist. I completed accredited EMDR training and have extensive experience using this approach with adults and older adolescents.
As an insurance-approved psychologist in Guildford, I work with all major insurance companies, and I also welcome self-funding clients seeking private trauma therapy.
Taking the First Step
Living with unprocessed trauma affects every aspect of your life – your relationships, your work, your sense of self. You don’t have to carry this burden alone. EMDR offers a path to healing that has helped millions of people worldwide.
If traumatic memories are holding you back from living the life you want, EMDR therapy might be the answer. As an experienced clinical psychologist offering evidence-based trauma therapy in Surrey, I can help you process these memories and move forward. Contact my practice to discuss whether EMDR is right for you and begin your journey towards healing.