EMDR
A Different Way Through Trauma
Maybe you know, logically, that you're safe.
And your body still reacts as though the danger is right there.
A sound takes you straight back.
A conversation makes your heart race.
Something seemingly small happens and suddenly you're overwhelmed.
You avoid certain places, people or situations without always understanding why.
Or perhaps there isn't one particular memory.
You just know that something from your past still feels very present in your life today.
This is one of the difficult things about trauma.
An experience can be over, but the impact of it can remain.
EMDR can help your brain process what happened, so the past can begin to feel more like the past.
What Is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing.
It's a psychotherapy approach used to help people process distressing or traumatic experiences and reduce the impact those experiences continue to have in the present.
During EMDR, you are guided through a structured therapeutic process that can include bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, while working with particular memories, thoughts, emotions or sensations.
The aim isn't to erase the memory.
You don't forget what happened. Instead, EMDR supports the brain to process the experience differently, so remembering it may become less distressing and less disruptive to your life.
What Can EMDR Be Used For?
EMDR can be beneficial in recovering from a range of distressing experiences and symptoms.
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Traumatic memories
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PTSD symptoms
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Flashbacks
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Anxiety associated with past experiences
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Avoidance
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Distressing triggers
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Negative beliefs connected to difficult experiences
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Strong emotional or physical responses
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Medical trauma
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Relationship trauma
Whether EMDR is appropriate depends on the individual, their circumstances and what they're experiencing. That's something we can explore together.
We'll work together at a pace that feels right for you.
There is no prize for pushing through before you're ready.
EMDR with Elizabeth
Elizabeth offers EMDR as a standalone therapeutic approach or alongside counselling and clinical hypnotherapy.
Her approach is trauma-informed, collaborative and grounded in an understanding that there is no single right approach or timeline for recovery.
Before beginning EMDR, Elizabeth will spend time understanding what has brought you to this point, discussing the process and helping you prepare for the work.
You remain an active participant throughout.
You're not handing over control. You're working together.
