WHAT I DO

As a trained mental health nurse I have learnt different techniques to support recovery. The one that I have been most inspired by and have found to be the most effective and efficient is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing). EMDR is a targeted therapy that identifies the causes of distress and allows people to move through the pain. It is effective in the recovery of addictions, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex PTSD, a wide range of phobias (eg: flying, driving, dental, public speaking), anxiety, depression,  attachment issues and relationship trauma as we all as multiple other mental health concerns.

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It was developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980’s  for processing traumatic memories. It involves focusing on a particularly distressing thought, emotion & body sensation at the same time as making rapid bilateral eye movements. This enables the unprocessed traumatic material locked in the amygdala (part of the brain) to become stored in the hippocampus (another part of the brain) so that it becomes less vivid & distressing. It can then be stored like any other memory which relieves clients of the emotional distress and symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares and anxiety linked to the memory. You remain conscious and in control throughout.

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One of the benefits of EMDR is that you won’t have to recount the trauma in great detail, which some people find very distressing. This is different to most other therapies. Sometimes other forms of bilateral stimulation such as touch (tapping) or auditory (sounds) might be used.

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Even if you are unable to remember specifics about traumatic events EMDR can help your reprocess whatever it is so that your body remembers it without it continuing to impact you negatively.

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It might be that the EMDR process can take you to unexpected memories or feelings. This is because our brains can store difficult experiences of feelings in jumbled ways. The great thing about EMDR is it can access these experiences and feelings and heal them without us needing to fully aware of them. 

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I believe in the importance of the therapeutic relationship and the role empathy plays in building trust. Wherever the EMDR process may take you, I will be there with you to help you feel safe and cared for. 

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EMDR is an evidence based therapy endorsed by the WHO, NHS and NICE.