What happens in a session?

EMDR is an 8 phased therapy and we begin with History Taking & Preparation, where we go through a detailed assessment of your past, look at present triggers and identify specific “target” memories and feelings. In this stage we build a grounding of safety using emotional regulation tools and building your inner resources. This is a core component to the therapy and essential foundational work. The Assessment & Desensitisation phases is the bulk of the work, & involves   focusing on a distressing image or thought while engaging in bilateral stimulation—typically following hand movements with your eyes, or you tapping your left and right sides. This mimics the natural processing of REM sleep, allowing your brain to "unstick" the memory and strip away its emotional charge. 

In the Installation & Body Scan, the goal shifts from reducing pain to strengthening a new, positive belief about yourself (such as "I am safe now" or "I am worthy"). In this stage we rehearse future scenarios to ensure no anxiety or fear is present when considering meeting similar situations.  The final stages, Closure & Re-evaluation are about integrating your progress into your everyday life.