EMDR Therapy

 

EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing – is a trauma therapy that helps your brain process distressing memories that have got stuck. Not stuck in the way that talking about something gets stuck, but stuck at a deeper level in your nervous system, your body, the part of you that still reacts as if the thing is happening right now even when it isn’t.

If you’ve spent years in therapy talking about what happened but still feel it as viscerally as ever, EMDR might be the missing piece.

How does EMDR work?

When something traumatic happens – whether that’s a single overwhelming event or the cumulative weight of a difficult childhood – the brain doesn’t always process it the way it would a normal memory. Instead it stays raw and unintegrated, meaning that sights, sounds, sensations or situations that remind you of it can trigger the same emotional and physical response as the original experience.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation – most commonly eye movements or tapping on the upper arms – to activate both sides of the brain while you hold the distressing memory in mind. This allows the brain to do what it wasn’t able to do at the time: process the experience, file it away as something that happened in the past and reduce the emotional charge it carries.

It sounds a bit strange when you first hear about it. Most of my clients think so too. But there is a significant body of research behind it, it is recognised by the NHS and the World Health Organisation, and I have seen it shift things that years of talking therapy alone hadn’t touched.

What can EMDR help with?

I use EMDR with clients working through:

  • Childhood trauma and CPTSD – the cumulative effect of growing up without consistent emotional safety, whether that’s with emotionally immature parents, emotional neglect, or abuse
  • Single incident trauma and PTSD – accidents, assaults, medical trauma, bereavement
  • AuDHD and neurodivergent clients – particularly where masking, sensory overwhelm or repeated experiences of not fitting in have left a traumatic residue
  • Anxiety and phobias – where the anxiety is rooted in past experiences rather than present circumstances
  • Shame – the deep, embodied kind that feels less like a feeling and more like a fact about who you are

If you’re not sure whether EMDR is right for what you’re carrying, that’s okay. We’d talk it through properly before starting.

Can EMDR really be done online?

Yes – and I say that as someone who was sceptical before I tried it. I slightly adapt the technique for Zoom and it is just as effective as in person. Many of my clients actually find the familiarity of their own space makes the work feel safer.

All sessions take place via Zoom, which means you can work with me from anywhere in the UK.

What to expect

While EMDR follows a protocol, it isn’t the same for everyone. In general terms:
We’ll start with a thorough assessment – understanding what’s brought you to therapy, your history, and whether EMDR is the right fit for you right now.

We’ll spend time on preparation, building the resources and skills you need to stay within your window of tolerance during the work. This isn’t a box-ticking exercise; it’s genuinely important and it’s not safe to rush it.

When we move into processing, some clients notice significant shifts quickly. Others find it more gradual. Both are normal.

Ready to find out more?

If you’d like to explore whether EMDR might help, I offer an optional 15-minute introductory Zoom call before we begin. You can book online and you’re also welcome to email me at hello@alicetew.com – I aim to respond within 48 hours.