EMDR Therapy
Sometimes understanding why something happened isn’t enough to shift how it feels. EMDR is a structured, evidence-based approach to processing what’s been stuck – available online, worldwide.
Some things don’t shift on their own.
You might understand exactly what happened. You might have talked about it. You might have tried to leave it in the past and move on.
But something keeps pulling you back. A memory that still feels raw. A physical response you can’t control. A pattern that repeats no matter how much you understand it.
EMDR — Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing — is a therapy designed specifically for that. It works directly with the memories and experiences that are stored in a way that keeps them active in the present. It helps the brain finish processing what it couldn’t process at the time.
It doesn’t require you to talk everything to death. It doesn’t ask you to relive your experience repeatedly. And the changes it produces tend to be lasting — because they happen at the level of how the memory is stored, not just how you think about it.
What EMDR can help with
EMDR was developed for trauma and PTSD – but its scope is considerably wider than that.
– Trauma and PTSD – single incident or complex
– Anxiety and panic
– Depression rooted in past experience
– Grief and loss that feels frozen
– Low self-worth and negative beliefs about yourself
– Phobias and specific fears
– Performance anxiety
– Social anxiety
– Experiences that keep intruding no matter how much time has passed
– Patterns of response that feel automatic and out of control
How EMDR works
EMDR follows a carefully structured process. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is skipped. Here’s what to expect.
1. We build the foundation
Before any processing begins, we take time to understand what you’re carrying and build the resources you need. Grounding techniques, safe place work, coping strategies. This preparation isn’t a delay — it’s what makes the processing safe and effective.
2. We identify what to work on
Together we map the specific memories and experiences that seem to be driving your current difficulties. You identify the image, the belief, the emotion, and the physical sensation connected to each one. This gives us a clear target to work with.
3. We process
You hold the target memory in mind while sets of bilateral stimulation – usually guided eye movements via a moving light on screen – are applied. After each set I ask: “What do you notice?” You simply report what arises. This cycle continues until the distress connected to the memory reduces and a more positive belief settles in its place.
Want to understand this in more detail? Read the full guide to the eight phases of EMDR →
Online EMDR – available wherever you are
I work online. That means you can access EMDR from wherever you are in the world — the UK, Europe, Australia, anywhere.
Online EMDR follows exactly the same eight-phase protocol as in-person work. The research consistently shows comparable outcomes. And for many people — particularly those dealing with trauma, anxiety, or anything that makes leaving the house feel effortful — being in a familiar, private space makes it easier to do this kind of work, not harder.
All you need is a stable internet connection and somewhere private for 60 to 90 minutes.
Read more about how online EMDR works →
EMDR, integrative therapy, or both?
People sometimes ask whether they should come for EMDR or for counselling. The honest answer is that it’s up to you.
I offer both — and which one we use is led by what you want and what feels right. Some people come specifically for EMDR because they know there’s something they want to process. Others come for integrative therapy and EMDR emerges as part of the work later. Some want a combination from the start.
There’s no wrong answer. We work it out together in the early sessions.
Find out more about how EMDR and integrative therapy work together →
“You don’t have to decide in advance which approach you need. That often becomes clearer in the early sessions.”
My training and approach
I’m an EMDR-trained therapist working within a broader integrative framework. EMDR doesn’t sit in isolation in my practice — it’s used alongside person-centred, psychodynamic, and CBT approaches depending on what each person needs at each stage of the work.
Before any EMDR processing begins, I take the relational groundwork seriously. Trust, safety, and genuine understanding of what we’re working on — these aren’t optional extras. They’re what make the EMDR effective.
I hold PNCPS Acc. status with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society — and I’m a qualified counselling supervisor. I work in line with the NCPS Code of Ethical Practice, supported by regular supervision, ongoing professional development, and GDPR-compliant systems.
How sessions work
EMDR sessions are longer than standard counselling sessions – typically 60 to 90 minutes – because the processing phases need adequate time to complete properly within each session.
Sessions take place online via video call, at a time that suits your life. I work with clients across the UK and internationally, so time zones are no barrier.
Most people start with weekly sessions. As the work progresses we’ll review the frequency together and adjust to what makes sense for you.
Fees
EMDR sessions — 60 to 90 minutes £90 per session
Free initial consultation — 15 minutes, no obligation
Please enquire for international rates.
Questions people ask about EMDR
Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to have EMDR?
No. EMDR works wherever a past experience is driving current difficulties — whether that’s trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, low self-worth, or something else. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to begin.
Will I have to talk about what happened in detail?
No. EMDR doesn’t ask you to narrate your experience at length. You hold the memory in mind internally while the bilateral stimulation works. Many people find this considerably less overwhelming than they expected.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on what you’re bringing. For single-incident trauma, significant change can happen in three to six processing sessions. For more complex or long-standing difficulties, it takes longer. We’ll have a clear conversation about this from the start and review as we go.
How long is each session?
EMDR sessions are typically 60 to 90 minutes — longer than standard counselling sessions because the processing phases need adequate time to complete properly within each session.
What does it feel like during processing?
Most people say it’s different from what they expected — and less overwhelming. You’re fully conscious throughout. You can stop at any point. Some people feel emotional during sets of eye movements. Others feel surprisingly calm. Processing sometimes continues after the session ends — dreams may become more vivid, memories may surface. I’ll prepare you for this and give you tools to manage it.
Can I have EMDR and integrative counselling at the same time?
Yes — and for many people this is the most effective approach. EMDR processing is embedded within the broader therapeutic relationship. The two approaches reinforce each other rather than competing.
How do I know if EMDR is right for me?
A good starting point is reading this post on whether EMDR is a good fit. Or simply get in touch — the free consultation is exactly the space to talk it through together. There are no wrong questions and no pressure to commit to anything.
Read more about EMDR
What is EMDR therapy and how does it work?
The complete guide to EMDR – what it is, how it works, who it helps, and what to expect from the process.
Read more →
What happens in an EMDR session — a step by step guide
Wondering what EMDR actually involves? This honest walkthrough takes you through the whole process before you begin.
Read more →
Is EMDR right for me – how to know if it’s a good fit
Not sure if EMDR is right for you? This post helps you think it through — clearly, honestly, and without pressure.
Read more →
Ready when you are
There’s no commitment and no pressure. A free 15 minute call is just a chance to talk, ask questions, and see if it feels right.