EMDR

Eye Movement, Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

EMDR Therapy Online – Trauma‑Focused Psychological Support across the UK | Dr Emma Clarke

Introduction

EMDR is a psychological therapy that helps people cope with trauma, whether that’s rooted in childhood, adulthood, single events or multiple experiences over time.
When we go through trauma, memories can remain “stuck” or unprocessed. You may notice unwanted intrusions of the events in the form of images, sounds, sensations or intense feelings, leaving you feeling stuck and making it hard to be present and live your life.
EMDR aims to help these memories become “unstuck”, so that they feel more firmly in the past and less overwhelming in the present

How does EMDR Work?

EMDR combines careful preparation and stabilisation with a structured way of processing distressing memories. In sessions, we use “bilateral stimulation” – such as eye movements or gentle tapping – while you briefly bring aspects of a memory to mind. Over time, this can help your brain recognise that the event is no longer happening, so the memories feel less intense and less disruptive in day‑to‑day life.

What can EMDR help with?

EMDR can be helpful when:

• Past events continue to intrude into your life through memories, images, sensations or nightmares.
• You feel on edge, alert or easily overwhelmed, even when you want to feel safe.
• You’ve been through repeated or ongoing difficult experiences and feel “stuck” in patterns you’d like to change.
• Anxiety, low mood or relationship difficulties are linked to things you’ve been through.

EMDR was originally developed for trauma and PTSD, but is now used for a range of difficulties where past experiences continue to affect the present.

My approach to EMDR

In my practice, EMDR does not happen in isolation. We will spend time getting to know you, understanding how your experiences and current circumstances fit together, and building enough safety and stability before we work directly with memories. EMDR may be one part of therapy alongside other approaches, and we will decide together whether it feels right for you at this point in your life.

Next steps

If you’d like a flavour of me and how I work with EMDR, you’re welcome to watch the short video below.

If you’d like to read more about EMDR, you can visit the EMDR Association UK website here or you can listen to the podcast ‘Notice that’; the episode I would recommend initially you can find here.

In the meantime, if you recognise yourself in any of the experiences described and would like to explore whether EMDR could help, you’re welcome to get in touch for a free 15‑minute conversation though my contact page.