Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy which helps to process memories from the past which still affect the person in the present day. These memories may relate to a traumatic event, like a car crash where the person is still scared to drive. However, it can also be used for other conditions like anxiety, low mood, performance anxiety and phobias where smaller traumatic experiences in the past are feeding current symptoms.

What is EMDR therapy?

At Turning Tides Psychology, we offer EMDR therapy for several different mental health conditions including trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic, phobias, anxiety and depression.

EMDR therapy works by processing traumatic memories which may have not been processed properly at the time of the event due to the brain being overloaded with information. 

When this happens the natural healing by the brain becomes blocked and the information becomes stored in a ‘raw’ format with no verbal narrative. This means the memory may be stored in the form of an image, emotion, belief or body sensation. Once something similar is experienced in the present it can reactivate the memory network. For example, most people can relate to certain smells triggering memories from the past.

EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation (BLS) (this means stimulating the brain in an alternate fashion left and right) to help reprocess the memory. This means that it no longer has a triggering effect in the present. This can be done in various ways including using eye movements, taps or sounds. 

When EMDR therapy has been successful the person starts to see the situation from a different perspective and create new meaning, which may have been blocked at the time. This helps the individual to move forward and regain control of their life. 

What is EMDR therapy used for?

EMDR therapy is particularly effective for significant trauma (PTSD). However, it can also be useful for treating a range of ‘small t’ traumas. These might relate to smaller incidents from the past for example being criticised, bullied, or rejected. Often these trauma memories continue to be activated in the present and feed into common mental health problems like anxiety or depression. 

EMDR therapy for trauma can be helpful for a wide range of mental health difficulties including:

If you are experiencing any of these problems, contact our EMDR psychologists today for a free consultation. 

 

How does EMDR therapy work?

EMDR has a particular structure, and your psychologist will work with you to set up a treatment plan. The steps include initial assessment, stabilisation and reprocessing. 

Initial assessment 

During the initial assessment, the psychologist will take a full history from you to help understand how past triggers are affecting current symptoms. This process helps to discover what memories need to be processed to help with recovery. One of the benefits of EMDR therapy is that memories from the past do not have to be described in detail if they are too distressing. 

Preparation and stabilisation

During the assessment, your readiness to start processing will also be assessed. Often clients will need some time to build up coping skills to tolerate going into past traumas before the reprocessing stages of EMDR treatment can be started. This stage of therapy is called stabilisation. 

Alicia reports: ‘it’s really important a client feels they have enough coping strategies to go into their trauma. Sometimes people can want to dive in straight away but it’s of utmost importance we ensure the client has enough coping strategies to manage during and in-between sessions in case anything distressing arises’.

Reprocessing

Once you and your psychologist feel you are ready to start the reprocessing stages your psychologist will guide you on which memories to start with and you will build a timeline together. 

Once processing starts, your psychologist will help you to recall a memory and then start the bilateral stimulation (e.g. eye movement, taps or sounds left and right) to process the memory. Eye movement therapy works similarly to REM sleep where the rapid eye movements help to process the day’s events. The bilateral stimulation helps build dual awareness that you are both anchored in the present, whilst having one foot in the past.

As the brain starts to process the memories, they can be viewed in a different way which no longer feels distressing. Alicia states ‘it’s truly amazing when a client starts to view their trauma in a different way they couldn’t see before. This often leads to empowerment for the client and the healing process to begin’.

Is EMDR therapy effective?

EMDR has been extensively researched and is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) as an effective treatment for trauma. Research trials have found it to be more rapid than other trauma therapies. This means that clients have required fewer sessions overall for treatment when compared with other therapies. 

Further benefits of EMDR therapy are that you will:

  • Being able to feel safe again in your mind and body
  • Have a sense of inner calmness 
  • Be able to reconnect with life in a meaningful and fulfilling way
  • Help reduce stress reactions in the body 

Our highly trained psychologists have many years of experience carrying out a range of mental health therapies including EMDR.

We offer regular face-to-face appointments at our modern and comfortable clinic in Hoults Yard, Newcastle or we can offer online therapy via Zoom if you live further afield. Contact us and start your consultation now. 

Get in touch today

A psychologist will then be in touch to arrange a free 15-minute no-obligation call, where we can discuss your requirements in more detail and you can get a feel for whether Turning Tides is the right psychology practice for you.

If we’re not right for you, we’ll try and signpost you to somewhere that is.

Please note – Turning Tides is not a crisis service, and if you feel you need urgent support or are experiencing a mental health crisis then it is important that you contact your GP if they are available, or attend A&E.

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