*** Working online and in-person ***
Contact Us on 07936 714259 or email referrals@htcounselling.co.uk
*** TAKING ONLINE PAYMENTS ***
*** Working online and in-person ***
Contact Us on 07936 714259 or email referrals@htcounselling.co.uk
*** TAKING ONLINE PAYMENTS ***

EMDR Therapy

A structured, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help people recover from distressing or traumatic experiences.
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EMDR Therapy

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help people recover from distressing or traumatic experiences that continue to affect their lives. EMDR is recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) as an effective treatment, particularly for trauma and post-traumatic stress symptoms.

What is EMDR?

EMDR works with how the brain processes memories. Sometimes, after a distressing event, a memory can remain vivid and emotionally intense, causing strong emotional or physical reactions whenever it’s recalled. EMDR aims to help the brain “unstick” and reprocess the memory, reducing the emotional distress attached to it so the memory remains but no longer feels overwhelming. This can allow you to think about the experience without the same intensity of distress.

How Does EMDR Work?

In EMDR sessions, you are gently guided to focus on a difficult memory while experiencing bilateral stimulation. This may involve side-to-side eye movements, gentle tapping or alternating sounds. This process supports the brain in reprocessing the memory in a way that reduces its emotional charge. Many people experience a shift in how they feel about a past event without needing to go into detailed talking about every aspect of it.

What can EMDR help with?

While EMDR is best known for helping people with trauma and PTSD, many people benefit from EMDR when distressing experiences continue to impact their wellbeing. EMDR can support people experiencing:

  • Persistent anxiety linked to past events
  • Trauma symptoms such as flashbacks, intrusive thoughts or emotional overwhelm
  • Emotional distress after painful life experiences
  • Difficult memories that continue to affect self-belief or relationships

The therapy is used with people of various ages and can be helpful where traditional talking therapy alone has not fully resolved the impact of past distress.

What to expect

EMDR is typically delivered over a series of sessions. Before any reprocessing work begins, there is a preparation phase where safety, coping strategies and a shared understanding of your goals are established. As with all therapy, the pace is guided by what feels safe and right for you.

Choosing an EMDR Specialist

It’s important to work with a therapist who has completed recognised EMDR training and has appropriate clinical experience. An accredited EMDR therapist will have met standards set by professional bodies and will work within an ethical framework to ensure safe and effective practice.

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How we can help

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With Kym’s help, I have learned healthy coping strategies and no longer feel the need to turn to self-harm. I have also learned how to better manage stress to prevent me from getting to peaks where I no longer feel in control of the situation at hand. This has been extremely beneficial to me during my applications to university, which I can only describe as the most stressful time of my life so far, yet I have not spiralled back into poor coping mechanisms, and I can truly credit that back to my time with Kym.
~ Client
We were worried for our son and how he would manage as he got older, worried he’d be prone to anxiety and depression. I feel the sessions with Jacqui have had a really positive impact and paved the way for any further support as he grows. The stigma about receiving counselling fully quashed. Thank you Jacqui!
~ Client
Very positive - we’ve seen great improvements in our son’s confidence, self esteem and ability to handle big emotions.
~ Client
I feel much more calmer in myself. I have learned how to recognise intrusive thoughts and how best to deal with them. I have implemented the methods I’ve been taught in therapy in day to day life.
~ Client
I can cope better with day to day life. I am less teary and I feel stronger, more optimistic about life ahead. My therapist has been a godsend.
~ Client
Thank you, for your time, patience and support to help me navigate. I am beyond grateful for your energy and kind professionalism.
~ Client
My therapist was brilliant at listening and supporting me through the counselling process. She was professional but warm and approachable and it felt very natural talking to her. I would certainly go back to see her again.
~ Client
Counselling has really helped me through a difficult time after experiencing challenges. I feel the sessions have helped me get back to my old self and I am feeling much more positive about the future and my journey ahead.
~ Client
It is continuing to make a difference to me. I am still processing the ways in which Debbie supported me to begin to face things in my own way and dare to try and make decisions I needed to make, including facing my fears and not allowing them to overwhelm me.
~ Client
Emma worked so well with my son and helped him to cope so much better with a very difficult year. She listened and gave practical advice, which was just what he needed.
~ Client
Exemplary - so supportive. Client centred, compassionate and attentive. Built a strong trusting relationship. Responsive to when/what I was struggling with and the emotional states I brought to sessions. I felt safe and secure very quickly.
~ Client
The therapist was very professional and understanding to my situation and provided a safe space for me to express my feelings. I feel in a better place after having sessions.
~ Client
As someone who had never had counselling sessions before I was sceptical if it was going to be beneficial to me, however after having some sessions with Kerry I was able to unload my thoughts which has greatly eased my situation and thoughts.
~ Client
Really supportive, positive, helpful and it had a huge impact on my life. Thanks again to Klaudia, she was amazing.
~ Client
Using the strategies you have taught me and understanding where my anger is coming from, has really helped me to become a better person to be around. I’m no longer angry all the time!
~ Client
Your counselling sessions really helped to get me through a difficult period and I now feel in a much better place and able to think about moving on with my life.
~ Client
Thank you so much again for all the help you gave me, it gave me the ability to figure out how to fix my issues by myself, which takes a big weight off my shoulders.
~ Client
I've shared things with you that i had never shared with anyone - testament to your unconditional acceptance of me.​
~ Client
There have been some hard times in the months since we ended counselling, but I remembered the things we discussed and I got through lots of different challenges thanks to you.
~ Client
Thank you so much for all your hard work and support these past two years. It is so greatly appreciated.
~ Client
Accessible, supportive, compassionate and wise service which responded to me when I needed to be heard and has helped me find the way forward. Thank you!
~ Client
Counselling has helped me control anger linked to anxiety, focus in self care and helped strengthen my relationship with my children.
~ Client
I'm so glad I have you to come to as a supervisor. You help me trust in my processes and I trust your judgment of them! A great big thank you! You are a real steadfast influence on my practice.
~ Supervisee