I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy and am a member of EMDR All Ireland - I’m currently within the pre-accreditation register. This means I have completed EMDR training, I am actively practicing EMDR, and have been assessed as safe and competent to practice EMDR, and I am in regular supervision. You can Find my details on the Pre-accreditation register on the EMDR All Ireland website.

What is EMDR ?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a psychological therapy for trauma and sometimes other mental health problems.  

EMDR was developed by Dr Francine Shapiro, an American clinical psychologist, in the 1980s. At first, the therapy was used just to treat traumatic memories (raw and intrusive thoughts, feelings, pictures, sounds and body sensations) which might, for example, develop as a result of:

  • A physical or sexual assault

  • A road trafic accident

  • A natural disaster, like a flood or fire or very severe storm

  • A surgical operation that was not straight forward

  • Neglect or bullying in childhood

  • A distressing accident or incident at work

  • Loss of a job

  • Or experiences associated with war or with being a refugee

EMDR’s most familiar use remains the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) but is now also used to treat:

  • Feelings of grief or bereavement

  • Phobias

  • Anxiety

  • Chronic pain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does EMDR involve and how can it help me ?

When we experience traumatic events the thoughts, feelings and memories we have about those events can get stuck and It can be hard to move on from them. 

EMDR helps the brain to process distressing memories. When we process these memories they become less stuck, which reduces their influence. Through the process of EMDR, traumatic memories seem to lose their intensity; they become less distressing and seem more like 'ordinary' memories. . 

EMDR therapy generally uses alternating left-right eye movements, although can also use left-right tapping or sounds, to help the brain to process the frozen or blocked information. This is know as bilateral stimulation (BLS).

What is the therapy like? 

EMDR is delivered in eight phases -

  • History and Treatment Planning

  • Preparation

  • Assessment

  • Desensitization

  • Installation

  • Body Scan

  • Closure

  • Reevaluation

All of these phases can be covered in as few as three sessions or as many as several months. It really depends on the presenting difficulties and the depth of  trauma and emotional distress.

In the initial phase of the therapy, the therapist will make sure that EMDR is suitable for the problems you have described. You will be asked about your difficulties, whether you have any physical problems, if you are taking medication, and what support you have available to you. Much of what then makes up the therapy is recognisable from elements of other well-known therapies. 

Before processing any memories the therapist will spend some time doing preparatory exercises with you, possibly a “safe place” procedure, or breathing retraining, or deep muscle relaxation. Time is taken to explain the therapy and address any concerns you may have. A lot of importance is attached to giving you a sense of being in control of what happens in the work.

The unusual feature of the therapy is the way in which the therapist seeks to target the sources of your distress memories by stimulating the two sides of your brain (its left and right hemispheres). Usually, this is done by eye movements. You watch the therapist passing his or her hand fairly rapidly backwards and forwards across your field of vision, while at the same time she or he helps you as you recall the difficult events from the past. At all times you remain conscious. 

What will I feel like after the session? 

EMDR treatment generates a certain amount of 'momentum' to your thinking and conscious awareness. In other words the treatment does not just stop immediately after your session. The bilateral stimulation can bring a lot of memories to mind and you may find yourself continuing to reflect on these after the session . Some people report that they recall aspects of the events that were previously ‘lost’ to them. If these memories are distressing, you may feel unsettled for a day or two. During this time it is recommended that you use your relaxation techniques to soothe yourself. It is best not to do anything too stressful straight after your EMDR session, such as take an exam, for example. 

As the distress decreases with EMDR, people report feelings of relief. At the end of EMDR therapy, many people say that they are no longer disturbed by their memories and liberation enables them to live more fulfilling and happier lives. 

How long does it last ? 

Sessions last up to 90 minutes. For most people a small number of sessions are offered. For people who have experienced severe trauma, or more than one trauma, the therapy can last for a year or more. 

What if I feel things are not going well or the therapy does not suit me?

You are always free to leave therapy if you don’t feel it is working well for you. However if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable because of anything that your therapist is saying or doing, it can help to bring this up with your therapist in whatever way feels possible. This can give you and your therapist a chance to try to work out what’s causing the problem, and whether this links to any of the patterns which are a focus for your therapy. Sometimes by talking and thinking together about problems you can find a way through them.