Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) Brighton and Lewes

What is EMDR all about?

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy developed to treat the effects of trauma. It can be difficult at times to move on from the things which happen to us. The events – and the feelings and memories associated with them – become stuck. The purpose of EMDR is to help us process these distressing memories reducing their impact on our day-to-day thinking. The memories will still be with us, but they will be in the past rather than constantly in our present. This enables clients to get on with their lives in more positive manner.

How did EMDR therapy start?

EMDR therapy was developed by Dr Francine Shapiro in 1987, when she discovered on a walk in the park that her eye movements decreased the negative emotions that were linked to her distressing memories. She built on this discovery through adding cognitive components and conducting studies throughout the rest of the 1980s on what she originally termed EMD – eye movement desensitisation.

In 1990, EMD was hailed a breakthrough, with the technique changed to EMDR to reflect the information processing theory that Shapiro had developed to explain the effects that it had.

How is EMDR used?

Although it can be used as a treatment in its own right, EMDR is often used alongside other forms of therapy, perhaps to overcome stumbling blocks, or recurring difficulties. Research shows us it works very well with both children and adults.

How is EMDR therapy different?

While more traditional approaches such as Integrative Therapy or Analytic Psychotherapy, involve talking about the things that have happened to you in order to make sense of them, in the context of a relationship with your therapist who thinks alongside you, EMDR specifically involves reprocessing your trauma in a structured way. It focuses on the actual trauma memory as opposed to your thoughts and feelings around it. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation like eye movements, sounds, or taps, to help the brain reprocess disturbing memories and negative emotions rather than the event.

Here’s a look at the differences between traditional therapy and EMDR:

• Focus – traditional therapy explores thoughts, feelings and behaviours, whilst EMDR targets specific memories and their effects on you.
• Method – traditional therapy is conversation-based, whereas EMDR uses bilateral stimulation whilst recalling difficult memories.
• Memory processing – traditional therapy emphasises reflection and gradual exposure, and EMDR directly reprocesses sensory, emotional, and cognitive areas of memories.

What types of issues is it used for?

Trauma can be defined in many ways. What may seem traumatic to one person, may be an easily-processed event to another. This means EMDR can be put to wide use, determined by how the client feels about the event or events which are troubling them. Some of the events which EMDR can help with are listed below, but it is worth remembering that it will be the client response to the event – whatever it is – which determines the particular definition of what is traumatic.

• Phobias
• Childhood incidents
• Witness to shocking events – accident, suicide
• War-based memories
• Childhood sexual and/or physical abuse or neglect
• Natural disaster
• Assault
• Surgical trauma
• Road traffic accidents
• Workplace accidents

EMDR is recommended by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as the first treatment for people with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

It can also help children who experience self-esteem, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

What are the benefits of EMDR therapy?

Traumatic experiences can continue to affect lives through flashbacks, anxiety, sleep problems, and persistent stress, even if it happened many years ago. The main benefit of EMDR is the reduction of symptoms like these, allowing the client to put the experience behind them and live a more relaxed life.

EMDR is best known for treating PTSD, but it can also be effective in tackling other mental health problems, such as depression, addiction, anxiety, and relationship issues.

How long do the sessions last?

EMDR sessions are normally longer than usual counselling session – up to about 90mins. They are held weekly and will usually run for three or four sessions, although they can be much longer for more complicated trauma

What happens in an EMDR session?

Any EMDR work will be preceded by a full assessment and the process as a whole will be discussed with the client.

When the EMDR therapy begins, the therapist will prompt the client to recall a memory associated with the trauma and at the same time they (the client) receives bilateral stimulation. The client is stimulated in a rhythmic left-right pattern, either through hearing, seeing or feeling

For example, bilateral stimulation could involve:

• moving your eyes from side to side
• tapping movements on different sides of your body (normally the back of the hands placed on the lap)
• tones you hear through one ear followed by the other whilst wearing headphones

EMDR for young people Brighton and Lewes

Depending on the age and confidence of the child, there may need to be more time put into the preparation, perhaps through a series of exercises designed to stimulate their imaginative ability and strengthen their sense of wellbeing. For example, the child may be asked to imagine a safe or protected place where they feel relaxed and comfortable, or to remember a time when they felt exceptionally confident and good about themselves. These positive images, and the thoughts and feelings associated with them, can to be used to demonstrate the bi-lateral stimulation. In this way the child is better prepared when the traumatic memory is introduced.

When the memory itself is introduced, the therapist may use drawing, storytelling or other means to support the child’s narrative.

How effective is EMDR?

EMDR is supported by a large body of evidence-based research. Much of this research has confirmed that it is as effective as other talking therapies and that is can often achieve results more quickly than other methods. This is perhaps why so many therapists are building EMDR into their work. As with all therapy, there is some risk attached: feelings may be stirred up and sometimes a client can be unsettled before feeling calm again. The therapist will take this into account and support the client as these issues are worked through.

More detailed information can be found on the EMDR Website.

EMDR Brighton and Lewes Fees

At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, we have a team of therapists who have been trained in EMDR therapy and will work with their clients closely throughout the period of their therapeutic journey.

Each practitioner at the practice sets their own fees in accordance with the type of work, frequency of the sessions, and other factors such as the client’s income. However, as a guide, sessions start from £75 for a therapy hour (50 minutes).

Our EMDR therapists Brighton and Lewes

At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, EMDR is offered by David Keighley, who is based at our Hove practice and has a deep understanding of this treatment thanks to a course approved by the EMDR Association. His broad experience of psychotherapy means he’s best placed to judge when a client would benefit from EMDR, working with them to repossess traumatic experiences, leading to less of an impact on their day-to-day life. If you are unsure of the type of therapy you need, you can search for a therapist here.

Why choose Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy?

Choosing Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy is a huge step in tackling the effects of traumatic experiences, as we know what it is to be trusted with such a personal undertaking. Our practice in Hove is where we offer EMDR therapy, with the benefit of a convenient location as well as a beautiful period building, where your comfort is paramount.