EMDR is an acronym for 'Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing'. It is a powerful psychological treatment method that was developed by an American clinical psychologist, Dr Francine Shapiro, in the 1980s.
EMDR was originally used for individuals who had experienced trauma that remained unresolved. According to Shapiro, when a traumatic or distressing experience occurs, it may overwhelm normal cognitive and neurological coping mechanisms. The memory and associated stimuli are inadequately processed and stored in an isolated memory network. The goal of EMDR therapy is to process these distressing memories, reducing their lingering effects and allowing clients to develop more adaptive coping mechanisms. This is done in an eight-phase approach that includes having clients recall distressing images while receiving one of several types of bilateral sensory input. Although the use of EMDR was originally developed to treat adults suffering from PTSD, it is now also used to treat other conditions such as: Loss, Injury, Accident, Assault, Rape, Illness, Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Phobias, Fears, Physical and Sexual Abuse and Low Self Esteem and Confidence.
If at any point you have any questions on EMDR, do ask me and I will do my best to answer them for you. Contact me here.
Testimonial
“I was diagnosed with PTSD following a very complicated Trauma that involved me being severely attacked and suffering a close and sudden bereavement. I was unable to go out on my own, unable to sleep and was losing control of my emotions on a daily basis. I completed Trauma-Focused CBT which, unfortunately, I did not benefit from. I had heard about EMDR whilst I was at Uni and knew it was proven to be one of the best interventions for Trauma. I worked with Claire for four months, and from the first session, I felt a huge difference. I was astounded at how powerful it was, and it continued to get better each session. Claire is so genuine and very empathetic, I found myself looking forward to each meeting. I can’t recommend EMDR enough and can’t speak highly enough about Claire, and I am so grateful to her for helping me through such a horrendous time in my life. The difference it has made is life-changing for me. I’ve got my confidence back, and I no longer fear things the way I did. Claire helped me so much, and I genuinely don’t know where I would be without her care.” Kalouza Nostaw.