EMDR THERAPY

Trauma is like your brain’s alarm system getting stuck in the "on" position after something really overwhelming or scary happens. Even when the danger is gone, your brain still reacts as if it’s happening, which can bring up strong feelings, thoughts, or reactions out of nowhere. It’s not your fault—your brain is just trying to protect you, even though it’s using an old warning signal that you don’t need anymore. Healing helps reset that alarm so you can feel safe and calm again.

Our brains have an incredible natural ability to heal, even from overwhelming experiences. When something traumatic happens, though, this process can get interrupted. It’s like a memory becomes frozen in time, stuck in a way that keeps sending echoes into the present. These echoes can show up as emotions, thoughts, or even physical reactions that catch us off guard—like a wound that hasn’t fully healed.

That’s where EMDR comes in.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) was created in the late 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro.

EMDR is more than a tool for healing trauma—it helps uncover the deeper connections between present-day triggers and unresolved experiences from the past. These "old cables," often hidden from our awareness, can quietly shape how we think, feel, and react. By addressing and reprocessing these connections, EMDR empowers you to live fully in the present, free from the emotional weight of the past.

When we create your treatment plan, we’ll focus together on three important areas: your past, your present, and your future. EMDR helps you release the emotional weight of past memories, understand and manage what’s triggering you now, and prepare to face future challenges with confidence. It’s like connecting the dots to create a clear picture of your healing journey.

A well-designed treatment plan acts as a reliable roadmap, giving us the confidence to know where we’re headed and track your progress. Step by step, it helps us ensure that every part of the process supports your healing and personal growth.

EMDR therapy uses a well-structured, 8-phase protocol designed to prioritise your safety, ensure effectiveness, and create lasting change. Here’s what the process looks like

1.        History Taking
In the first phase of EMDR, we focus on gathering the essential pieces of your story to build a clear understanding of your unique experiences. This includes using questionnaires, exploring your attachment and emotional regulation styles, and identifying patterns that might be influencing your present. It is like laying out all the pieces of a puzzle to see the full picture. Understanding is a crucial step in healing. By recognizing how past experiences connect to present challenges, we can collaboratively create a treatment plan tailored to guide you through the EMDR process effectively and safely.

2.        Preparation
Once the treatment plan is designed, we evaluate together whether you are ready to start the deeper work of processing memories. This preparation ensures that you have the tools and confidence needed to navigate the EMDR journey. In Phase 2 of the EMDR protocol, the focus is on building resources and learning techniques to help you feel grounded, safe, and in control throughout the process. This phase is highly personalized and tailored to your needs. You might learn calming strategies such as breathing exercises, visualization tools, or grounding techniques to manage intense emotions if they arise. These skills are like creating a safety net, giving you the confidence to face difficult memories while knowing you can stay present and balanced. This solid foundation ensures you are ready to move forward in a way that feels secure and supported.

3.        Assessment
This phase is like setting up a GPS for your healing journey. We will gather specific information about the memories connected to your present struggles, like entering addresses to locate where they are stored in your brain. Together, as a team, we will decide which memories to start working on first and explore the reasons behind that choice. This ensures we have a clear, thoughtful map to guide the process and help you move forward with confidence.

4.        Desensitization
This is where the reprocessing begins—the heart of EMDR therapy. Using techniques like guided eye movements or tapping, we activate your brain’s natural Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) system. Normally, your brain works like a well-organized filing system, neatly storing memories. But when something overwhelming happens, the intensity can disrupt this process, leaving those memories “stuck” in an unprocessed state. Part of EMDR’s power is helping you understand why these particular memories became stuck—often because your brain was trying to protect you in the moment but could not fully process what happened. By recognizing this, you can approach the memories with clarity and compassion. Through reprocessing, we guide your brain to finally sort and integrate these experiences, reducing their emotional weight and allowing you to move forward with greater ease. 

5.        Installation
As the distress eases, we will follow the natural path your brain needs to strengthen positive beliefs and emotions. It is like listening to what your mind is ready for and nurturing a sense of empowerment and calm to replace the weight of negativity. By reinforcing what feels right for you, we help your brain rebuild with resilience and balance, creating a lasting sense of inner strength and peace.

6.        Body Scan
The body plays a powerful role in healing, even though we often overlook it. Trauma is not just stored in the mind—it is also held in the body, showing up as tension, discomfort, or other physical sensations. By reconnecting with your body during EMDR, we tap into its wisdom, allowing it to release the lingering effects of the past. This connection helps bridge the mind and body, creating a more holistic and complete healing process. When we listen to the body, we open the door to deeper relief and recovery.

7.        Closure
We will make sure you end each session with the regulation and care you need after the work. This is a great opportunity to use the resources you developed in Phase 2 or explore new tools together to add to your mental health toolbox, leaving you feeling grounded and supported

8.        Reevaluation
At the start of the next session, we will check in on the processed memory to explore how it feels and notice any shifts in your thoughts or emotions. Based on this, we will determine the next steps to continue guiding your healing journey.