Frequently asked questions (EMDR)

Just like your physical body reacts to injury, your mind also constantly attempts to heal itself. EMDR accelerates this process, which can be extremely helpful when a memory gets stuck in an unprocessed state.

It is believed that during REM sleep, we are processing memories and experiences. During EMDR therapy, you have the same horizontal eye movements but you will be awake. It is thought that EMDR works because the simple technique that is used (bilateral stimulation) allows the area of the brain where the traumatic memory has become stuck, to be by-passed, so that processing can occur.

I've shared this video from Trauma Clinic International as it is an excellent description of how EMDR works. Narrated by Esly Carvalho, Ph.D. 

I will send you an EMDR therapy agreement form by email, to read and complete before your first session.

You don't need to do anything else in advance of your first session. Just come as you are and I will take you as I find you. It is natural to feel apprehensive before your first session. I promise to do my best to make you feel at ease. You will be very welcome. 

The first 1-2 sessions (sometimes 3) will be preparation and assessment sessions, before any EMDR treatment takes place. These phases are included to make sure you feel safe within yourself and to explain and demonstrate EMDR techniques so you know what to expect. I'll ask some questions around your problem, and a bit about you, so that together we can decide which memories are at the root of your emotional pain today and what we need to work on with EMDR. 

We will also work together to help you find your inner 'calm/safe/peaceful place' - a sort of emotional sanctuary. This is an essential part of pre-treatment, as you need to be able to regulate your emotions before going ahead with the processing of traumatic memories. I'll support you through all of this.

When you are ready, we move into the processing sessions. I'll guide you through accessing an identified traumatic memory at the same time as you tracking my moving finger from left to right, which is called bilateral stimulation. We'll do 'sets' of bilateral stimulation, pausing and checking in every 30 seconds or so. I'll guide you to notice what to are experiencing in between each set, which will then become the focus for the next set. This processing will allow you to move towards more pleasant and preferred thoughts. 

Over the next few sessions, as your emotional distress resolves, we can work towards closure. We'll go back to the original memories, making sure they no longer elicit any distress. 

Unlike therapeutic counselling, EMDR does not require you to tell me everything in great detail. In the preparation and assessment sessions, it would be helpful if you could answer all of the questions I ask as thoroughly as you can. However, when it comes to the processing sessions, you don't really need to talk much at all, just enough to give me brief updates of what you're experiencing as we go along. 

It is important to note that EMDR is always done in the context of an individual therapy plan. The amount of sessions varies for everyone. Starting off with at least 4 sessions of EMDR will give you some idea of its effectiveness for you and the rate at which you are healing. From there it is dependent upon your individual needs and situation. The average amount of sessions people need is 6, however you may feel you'd like or need more. 

It is impossible to say how many sessions you will have. It may be that as you progress through your processing, new memories emerge which you might want to address, and do more processing by having further sessions.

No. Although both EMDR and hypnotherapy share the goal of alleviating distress and promoting healing, they are different. One big difference is that EMDR will not put you into a trans-like state, whereas hypnotherapy does. EMDR is a unique and specific psychotherapeutic approach that enables you to reprocess distressing memories so that when you recall them in the future, they no longer hold the same level of emotional intensity and distress. 

You will be awake, alert and in control the whole time.

It is important to know that your brain continues to process your problem after a session of EMDR. It is normal to feel emotionally exhausted after a session and you may also feel somewhat sensitive or more emotional than usual in between sessions. Some people experience vivid dreaming, sometimes nightmares, in between sessions. This is all part of the process of EMDR, due to the fact that memories are being 'brought to the surface', which is an essential part of the therapy. 

It would be really helpful to keep a note of anything that you experience in between sessions, including any new or different thoughts, feelings, sensations, images or insights. 

You will learn to use grounding techniques in between sessions should you feel the need to use them.  

Messaging or emailing in between sessions is only for things such as scheduling, or practical matters such as you letting me know if you are running late for example. In general, it is best to wait until your next session to discuss anything else. If you have something you feel you can't wait to talk about, it might be an idea to write it down and bring it with you to your scheduled session.

However, if you experience anything that you find is too uncomfortable or distressing as a result of having EMDR therapy in the last few days, you are welcome to make contact with me.

If you are in crisis and need immediate support, please do not contact me in the first instance. 

Please click here for further info and contacts. 

Yes. EMDR can be used online via video sessions, and it is just as effective. The sessions will be just the same in almost every way. The only real difference would be that instead of you following my finger, you will employ the 'butterfly' technique, which is where you cross your hands, and place them on your collarbones, and then tap left and right while the EMDR processing takes place. 

You will need a private, safe place, where you feel comfortable and relaxed, with no interruptions or distractions. 

No, I only work with people age 16 years and older. 

The content of your sessions will remain confidential, yes, and whatever you tell me will be treated without judgement and with great respect.  I will never share your personal information.
There are some exceptions to this confidentiality, which I will explain in our first meeting. 

I'm available for daytime appointments from Monday to Thursday. 

My availability changes on a daily basis! I will endeavour to see you as soon as possible. 

Simply contact me and let me know when you are available for an appointment (the more options you give me the better) and I'll be back in touch to offer you a date and time that suits us both. If I'm available straight away I'll see you straight away! I'm currently available during daytime hours.