EMDR

Evidence Based Therapy for Trauma, Anxiety and Emotional Distress.

EMDR provided as part of ongoing EMDR Academy training and delivered under supervision.

I am an EMDR trainee therapist and have completed Part One of my EMDR training with The EMDR Academy. This stage of training enables me to deliver EMDR therapy under supervision while I complete the training and continue my professional development toward full EMDR qualification.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly effective, evidence based psychological therapy widely used across both the NHS and private practice to help people with trauma, distressing memories and overwhelming emotional experiences. It is recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) for the treatment of PTSD and trauma and is increasingly used to support a wide range of difficulties linked to past or present events.

At WJH Therapy, EMDR is offered within a safe and trauma informed therapeutic relationship, helping you process what has happened and enabling you to move forward with greater control and coping strategies.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR is a structured therapeutic approach which helps the brain reprocess traumatic or overwhelming experiences, so they no longer feel as emotionally charged or intrusive. Rather than talking in detail about the event, EMDR uses a combination of:

• Bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping or sounds)
• Grounding and resourcing techniques
• A clear, phased therapeutic structure

This process supports the brain’s natural healing system, allowing distressing memories to be stored in a more adaptive, less triggering way.

Clients often describe EMDR as helping them feel ‘unstuck’, calmer and more able to respond to life as opposed to reacting from a place of fear or overwhelm.

The Science Behind EMDR

EMDR is grounded in the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which suggests that the brain naturally moves towards healing and integration. When a traumatic or highly stressful event occurs, the brain can become overwhelmed, leaving memories stored in a raw, unprocessed form. These memories may later show up as:

• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Anxiety or panic
• Emotional numbness
• Avoidance
• Feeling ‘on edge’ or unsafe

Bilateral stimulation activates both sides of the brain, helping the nervous system reprocess the memory so it becomes less vivid, less distressing and more integrated into your wider life story.

Research shows that EMDR can reduce activity in the amygdala (the brain’s alarm system) and strengthen connections in areas responsible for emotional regulation and memory processing. This is why EMDR is considered a highly effective and evidence-based trauma therapy.

What Happens in EMDR Sessions?

EMDR follows a phased model, tailored to your pace and emotional safety:

1. Assessment & Stabilisation
We explore your history, current difficulties and strengths. Together we will look at grounding and resourcing techniques to help you feel more in control and supported.

2. Identifying Target Memories
We will identify the memories, images, sensations or beliefs that continue to cause you distress.

3. Reprocessing with Bilateral Stimulation
Using eye movements, tapping or auditory tones, we gently activate the brain’s natural processing system. You remain fully in control throughout.

4. Integration & Strengthening
As the distress reduces, we will reinforce more adaptive beliefs, emotional responses and a sense of safety.
EMDR is not about reliving trauma, it is about reprocessing it, so it no longer holds the same emotional power over you.

What Can EMDR Help With?

Although EMDR is best known for treating trauma and PTSD, it is widely used in both NHS and private therapy settings to support a broad range of emotional and psychological difficulties, including:

• Childhood trauma and adverse experiences
• Single incident trauma (accidents, assaults, medical trauma)
• Complex trauma and long term emotional neglect
• Anxiety, panic and phobias
• Depression linked to past events
• Health related trauma (diagnosis, treatment, medical procedures)
• Relationship trauma, attachment wounds and betrayal
• Work related stress, burnout and bullying
• Low self esteem and negative self beliefs
• Performance anxiety (public speaking, exams, interviews)

EMDR can be particularly helpful when you feel ‘stuck’, overwhelmed or unable to move past something that has happened, even if it occurred many years ago.

Why Choose EMDR at WJH Therapy?

• Trauma informed, integrative approach
• Safe, steady pacing tailored to your needs
• Extensive experience supporting clients with complex emotional histories
• Specialist background in health-related trauma, oncology and long term conditions
• EMDR offered alongside grounding, stabilisation and relational support
• 20 years’ experience in NHS and private practice

You do not need to have a formal diagnosis of PTSD to benefit from EMDR. Many people simply want to feel calmer, more in control and less affected by past experiences.

Is EMDR Right for You?

EMDR may be a good fit if you:

• Feel stuck in patterns linked to past experiences
• Have intrusive memories or strong emotional reactions
• Want an evidence-based approach that does not require detailed retelling of events
• Prefer a structured therapy with clear phases and goals
• Are seeking trauma therapy used widely across the NHS

During your initial consultation, we can explore whether EMDR is the most suitable approach for your needs and how it can be integrated into your wider therapeutic journey.