EMDR for Trauma and Distressing Memories
Helping you process the past and find peace in the present
When we experience something overwhelming or traumatic, the brain doesn’t always process the memory in the usual way. As a result, the memory may feel “stuck,” leading to distressing symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, or sudden emotional responses to seemingly unrelated events.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps your brain safely process traumatic or distressing memories so they lose their emotional charge. It can help you move forward without becoming overwhelmed by the past.
As a trained EMDR therapist, I use this approach with individuals who have experienced a wide range of traumas—from one-off events to more complex, long-term difficulties. I also integrate EMDR into broader psychotherapy work when helpful, drawing from CBT, ACT, and CFT to support your emotional resilience and recovery.
What is EMDR?
EMDR involves recalling distressing experiences while simultaneously engaging in a form of bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or sound tones. This process helps the brain reprocess the memory in a way that is no longer distressing or triggering.
You are not required to talk about the trauma in detail if you don’t feel ready. The focus is on helping your brain do the work it wasn’t able to do at the time of the trauma—processing the experience and making sense of it without becoming overwhelmed.
EMDR can be a key step in reducing emotional pain and reclaiming a sense of safety, confidence, and clarity in your life
When Might EMDR Help?
EMDR is recommended for a wide range of issues, including:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Complex trauma or developmental trauma
Childhood abuse or neglect
Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories
Panic attacks and phobias
Shame, guilt or negative self-beliefs related to past experiences
Medical or birth trauma
Dissociation or emotional numbing
Many people find EMDR helpful when talking alone hasn’t shifted the emotional intensity of a memory or when they feel stuck in a cycle of fear, avoidance, or self-criticism.
EMDR within an Integrative Psychotherapy Framework
Although EMDR can be offered as a standalone therapy, I often combine it with other approaches where needed to support long-term healing and emotional wellbeing.
My therapeutic practice is informed by over 15 years of experience and draws from:
CBT – to address negative thinking patterns and safety behaviours
ACT – to build emotional flexibility and help you reconnect with life beyond trauma
CFT – to develop compassion for yourself, especially where trauma has led to shame or self-blame
Mindfulness – to manage distress and stay grounded during processing
Our work is always tailored to you—your pace, your goals, your readiness. You remain in control of the process, and I will guide and support you throughout.
What to Expect in EMDR Sessions
We begin with an assessment phase and develop a safe, trusting therapeutic relationship
You’ll learn stabilisation techniques to help manage distress before starting trauma processing
Processing is always paced and guided, with your wellbeing as the top priority
We use bilateral stimulation (e.g. eye movements or tapping) to support memory reprocessing
Afterwards, we may explore new, preferred ways of thinking and feeling about yourself and the event