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How I work
EMDR therapy
A way of working with trauma and difficult memories, particularly helpful for people who find it hard to talk about what happened.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), developed in the late 1980s, is used to help people resolve emotional distress arising from traumatic life experiences such as an accident, assault or natural disaster. Its distinctive feature is the use of sensory stimulation — eye movements, sounds or tactile cues — while difficult memories are processed.
What it is used for
EMDR is now applied to a wide range of emotional difficulties, including panic attacks, anxiety, eating disorders, depression and addiction. It is particularly useful for people who struggle to put traumatic experiences into words.
Evidence base
EMDR has been approved by the American Psychological Association and is included in the American Psychiatric Association guidelines for treating patients with PTSD and acute stress. In the United Kingdom, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence requires EMDR to be available in services treating people diagnosed with PTSD.
I have completed two levels of EMDR training — the first in Poland with the VITAMELIUS Foundation, the second in Australia with Psychology Training.