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EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, research-backed approach to therapy that helps people heal from traumatic experiences, anxiety, and deeply rooted emotional distress.
EMDR helps the brain naturally reprocess stuck or overwhelming memories. I use gentle techniques such as guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, which allow you to revisit difficult experiences in a safe, structured way—reducing their emotional charge and making space for new perspectives and relief.
Whether you're carrying the weight of a past trauma, struggling with anxiety, or feeling stuck in negative patterns, EMDR can support you in moving forward utilising your boundaries, and your strengths.
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EMDR Therapy: What to Expect
If you've experienced trauma, anxiety, or distressing memories that still affect your day-to-day life, EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) may be a helpful path forward. It’s a well-researched approach used by many therapists in the UK and across the world — many people find it powerfully effective.
Below is a simple guide to how EMDR works and what to expect if you decide we can work together in this way.
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1. Getting to Know You
Every journey starts with a conversation. In the early sessions, we’ll spend time getting to know you — your experiences, current challenges, and hopes for therapy. This stage also involves identifying the memories or patterns that feel unresolved, and deciding together whether EMDR is a good fit for your needs.
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2. Feeling Grounded and Prepared
Before starting the deeper work, we’ll focus on building your emotional resources. This includes learning techniques to help you feel calm and in control, such as breathing exercises or visualising a safe place. It’s important that you feel supported and equipped before moving into any distressing material — we always go at your pace.
3. Reprocessing Past Experiences
When you’re ready, we’ll begin the core of the EMDR process. You’ll be invited to focus on a particular memory while engaging in gentle left-right (bilateral) stimulation — often through guided eye movements, tapping, or sound. This helps the brain to reprocess stuck memories, allowing distress to reduce and new insights to emerge. You remain in control at all times, and I’ll be there to guide and support you throughout.
4. Strengthening and Closure
As the memory becomes less distressing, we’ll begin to focus on more positive, empowering beliefs about yourself. We’ll also use a technique called the ‘body scan’ to check for any lingering tension, helping to leave you feeling grounded and clear. This stage helps consolidate the work we’ve done and supports long-term healing.
Is EMDR Right for Me?
Many people who’ve struggled with trauma, anxiety, panic, low self-esteem, or disturbing memories find EMDR to be a turning point in their recovery. You don’t need to go through it alone — EMDR offers a structured, compassionate way to process the past and move forward.
If you’d like to know more, ask a question, or book an initial session, feel free to get in touch.
issiehicks@gmail.com - 07941 322870