Break free from the past with

EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a clinically proven therapy designed to help you process trauma, reduce distress, and restore emotional balance. Let us guide you through the journey to healing.

What is EMDR?


EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps people process and heal from distressing memories, trauma, and emotional challenges. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements—to help the brain reprocess traumatic experiences, reducing their emotional intensity and helping you move forward.

Developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR is widely recognised as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. By activating the brain’s natural ability to heal, EMDR can help you break free from the past and regain a sense of balance and emotional well-being.

THE PROCESS

EMDR follows a structured eight-phase approach designed to help you process and heal from distressing memories. Each phase is an essential step in reducing emotional distress and reshaping the way past experiences affect you.

Phase 1: History & Treatment Planning

We begin with a conversation about your history, current challenges, and therapy goals. Together, we identify specific memories, thoughts, or triggers that need to be addressed. This phase ensures EMDR is tailored to your unique needs.

Phase 2: Preparation & Coping Skills

Before starting the reprocessing work, we focus on building emotional regulation skills. You’ll learn coping techniques—such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or guided imagery—to ensure you feel safe and supported throughout therapy.

Phase 3: Assessment

In this phase, we select a specific memory to work on. You’ll identify:

  • A negative belief connected to the memory (e.g., “I’m not safe”).
  • A positive belief you’d like to reinforce instead (e.g., “I am safe now”).
  • The emotions and physical sensations linked to the memory.
Phase 4: Desensitisation & Bilateral Stimulation

This is the core of EMDR therapy. Using eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues, we help your brain reprocess the memory. Over time, the distress linked to the memory decreases, making it feel less overwhelming.

Phase 5: Installation of Positive Beliefs

Once the distress has reduced, we strengthen the positive belief identified earlier. Instead of being stuck in negative thought patterns, you’ll reinforce more empowering beliefs about yourself and your experiences.

Phase 6: Body Scan

Trauma is often stored in the body. We check for any lingering tension or discomfort and use EMDR techniques to help release any remaining distress.

Phase 7: Closure

Each session ends with grounding techniques to ensure you feel stable and safe. Even if processing isn’t fully complete, you’ll leave each session feeling in control.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

At the start of the next session, we assess progress and determine if additional work is needed. This ensures ongoing support and helps build lasting emotional resilience.

By following this structured process, EMDR enables your brain to heal in a way that feels natural and empowering—helping you move forward with greater ease and confidence.

Benefits of EMDR

EMDR is a powerful therapy that helps people process and heal from distressing experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR works directly with the brain’s natural ability to reprocess memories, making it an effective and efficient treatment for trauma and emotional difficulties.

  • Reduces the emotional intensity of traumatic memories – You’ll be able to recall past events without feeling overwhelmed or stuck in distressing emotions.
  • Helps relieve symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression – EMDR is backed by research as a highly effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health concerns.
  • Improves emotional regulation – By working through unresolved memories, you can gain better control over emotions like fear, anger, and sadness.
  • Reframes negative beliefs – EMDR helps replace self-criticism and limiting beliefs with more positive, empowering thoughts about yourself.
  • Enhances overall well-being – Many clients report feeling lighter, more present, and more in control of their lives after EMDR treatment.

Who can benefit?

EMDR is a highly effective therapy for individuals who have experienced distressing or traumatic events. It helps the brain reprocess difficult memories, reducing their emotional intensity and allowing for healing.

EMDR may be beneficial if you:

  • Have experienced trauma, PTSD, or distressing life events
  • Struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, or chronic stress
  • Feel stuck in negative self-beliefs (e.g., “I’m not good enough”)
  • Are dealing with grief, loss, or unresolved emotions
  • Have experienced abuse, neglect, or difficult relationships
  • Suffer from phobias, performance anxiety, or self-doubt
  • Have difficulty regulating emotions or feel overwhelmed by past experiences

At our practice, we offer EMDR therapy for clients aged 16 and over. EMDR can be adapted to suit a wide range of emotional challenges, and our approach ensures that each session is tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’ve been struggling for years or have recently experienced a distressing event, EMDR may help you move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and emotional balance.

WHY CHOOSE US?

Our approach

Expertise in Trauma & EMDR Therapy

Our clinicians are trained in EMDR therapy and have extensive experience treating trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and other emotional challenges. We use evidence-based techniques to help you achieve meaningful and lasting change.

A Safe & Supportive Environment

Healing from trauma requires a sense of safety and trust. We provide a warm, compassionate space where you can work through difficult emotions at your own pace. There’s no pressure—just gentle, professional guidance tailored to your needs.

A PersonaliSed Approach to Healing

Every person’s experience is unique, and your therapy should reflect that. We tailor each EMDR session to your specific concerns and, when needed, integrate other therapeutic approaches such as mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), or Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) to enhance your progress.

Flexible & Accessible Therapy Options

We know that accessing therapy can be challenging, especially for those in rural and remote areas. That’s why we offer both in-person and online EMDR sessions, making it easier for you to receive the support you need, no matter where you are.

If you’re ready to process the past and move forward with clarity and confidence, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Your first session

Your first EMDR session is about getting to know you and ensuring that therapy is tailored to your needs.

01.

Understanding Your History

We’ll start by discussing your background, current challenges, and what has brought you to therapy. This helps us gain a clearer picture of your experiences and identify areas that EMDR might help address.

02.

Identifying Your Goals

Together, we’ll explore what you hope to achieve through therapy. Whether it’s processing a traumatic memory, reducing anxiety, or shifting negative self-beliefs, we’ll begin outlining a treatment plan that aligns with your needs.

03.

Determining if EMDR is the Right Fit

Not every therapy approach is suitable for everyone. If we agree that EMDR is a good option for you, we’ll briefly explain the process and discuss how we’ll move forward in future sessions at a pace that feels right for you.

Your first session is not about reprocessing memories yet—it’s about laying the foundation for a safe and effective EMDR journey. If you have any questions, this is also a great time to ask so you feel confident about the process moving forward.

frequently asked questions

Yes, EMDR is a safe, evidence-based therapy when conducted by a trained professional. It is designed to help you process distressing memories in a way that feels manageable and controlled. While EMDR can bring up emotions, we ensure that you have coping strategies in place to support your well-being throughout the process.

The length of treatment varies depending on individual needs. Some clients experience significant relief in just a few sessions, while more complex cases—such as those involving long-term trauma—may require additional sessions. Your therapist will work with you to create a personalised treatment plan that moves at a pace that feels right for you.

No. One of the benefits of EMDR is that you do not have to provide detailed descriptions of your traumatic experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses on how the memory is stored in your brain rather than discussing the details at length.

Yes, EMDR can be delivered effectively via telehealth. We use secure, interactive tools to guide bilateral stimulation (eye movements or tapping) so you can receive the same benefits from the comfort of your home.

Some people experience temporary emotional discomfort as they process distressing memories, but this is a natural part of healing. We ensure you have grounding techniques and support to help you feel safe and stable throughout the process. Most clients find that as they progress through therapy, the intensity of their distress decreases.

No. While EMDR is widely known for treating PTSD, it is also effective for anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, low self-esteem, and other emotional challenges.

You can join the waitlist via our online bookings page or get in touch with the form below: