Reprocessing and Desensitising Trauma with EMDR

The National Institute of Health Care and Excellence recommends EMDR therapy for treating symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress (2018). Symptoms of PTSD include;

• re-experiencing the original trauma
• avoidance of situations that remind you of the original trauma
• anxiety, anger and irritability
• negative alterations in mood and thinking
• dissociation
• emotional dysregulation
•  problems in relationships
• low self esteem or negative self-perception (including feeling diminished, defeated or worthless).  

MY PRACTICE

I completed training in EMDR with Sandy Richman in July 2020. I have since been using EMDR with clients presenting with PTSD and C-PTSD in my private practice and within the counselling department I work in. I am a member of the EMDR Association UK and practice under the supervision of two EMDR Consultants.  I have treated the following presenting issues; 

• serious accidents
• physical and sexual assault
• abuse, including childhood or domestic abuse (including C-PTSD)
• work-related exposure to trauma
• trauma from the COVID pandemic
• trauma related to serious health problems
• Anti natal issues 
• trauma from caring for a terminally ill loved one or witnessing death of a loved one
• Complex grief
• Social Anxiety

EMDR processing works by adding adaptive emotions thoughts and beliefs to the neural network where memories are stored. This is done by picking a tiny part of the disturbing memory to tune into and processing it through bi- lateral stimulation (eye movements, taps or sounds). The bi lateral stimulation supports you to keep one part of your brain within the present within the therapeutic environment whilst reprocessing the trauma.

For further explanation please view the video describing the process and results of EMDR from the EMDR UK Association  https://youtu.be/bIJZQAr9nQo 

During the 8 phases of the EMDR therapy you should expect to gain education about how trauma is held in the body and mind, resources to help you regulate in between sessions, assessment and desensitisation of material which will result in reductions in intrusive thoughts and images, nightmares, anxiety , panic and other trauma related symptoms. You will find that you are more able to get on with day to day tasks and engage with more things that you once enjoyed,

If you would like to learn more about whether EMDR is suitable for you then please contact me for a brief chat or to to arrange an initial appointment.

email helen@eastcambirdgeshirecounselling.co.uk

Tel: 07814996972