EMDR for young people and adults
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a structured psychological therapy that can help people process distressing or traumatic experiences. It aims to reduce the emotional impact of difficult memories and the ways these experiences continue to affect thoughts, feelings, relationships and everyday life.
What EMDR is
EMDR is a structured psychological therapy used to help people process distressing or traumatic experiences that continue to affect them in the present.
During EMDR, you are supported to bring aspects of an experience to mind while using bilateral stimulation, such as guided side-to-side eye movements or tapping. The aim is to help the memory become less vivid and emotionally overwhelming. EMDR does not erase the memory, and you remain awake and in control throughout.
EMDR can be adapted for young people and adults. Before treatment begins, we will discuss your current difficulties, history and circumstances to decide whether EMDR is appropriate for you.
What EMDR may help with
EMDR is most strongly established as a treatment for post-traumatic stress and difficulties connected with distressing or traumatic experiences. It may help with intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, strong reactions to reminders and negative beliefs associated with past events.
EMDR may also be considered for anxiety, phobias, performance-related anxiety or blocks, and obsessive-compulsive difficulties—particularly where memories, fears or distressing experiences appear to contribute to current patterns.
In my clinical experience, EMDR has been helpful for some people with OCD. Treatment is individually formulated and, where appropriate, may be used alongside established approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy with exposure and response prevention (ERP).
Suitability for EMDR is considered during an initial assessment, taking account of each person’s history, current needs and treatment goals.
How EMDR sessions work
EMDR begins with an assessment to understand the current difficulties, relevant history and whether this approach is suitable. Time is then spent preparing for the work and developing ways to manage distress before any processing begins.
When we are ready, we agree on a particular memory, image or current trigger to focus on. I will ask you to notice the thoughts, feelings and physical sensations connected with it while using short sets of bilateral stimulation. This may involve guided eye movements, alternating sounds or taps. After each set, we pause and notice what has changed or come to mind.
The work is carefully paced. You remain awake and in control throughout and can ask to pause at any point. Each session ends with time to settle and review what has emerged. The number and length of sessions vary according to individual needs and are reviewed as the work progresses.
For children and young people, EMDR is adapted to their age and developmental needs. The involvement of parents or carers is considered and agreed where appropriate.
EMDR may be offered as a focused treatment or, where clinically appropriate, used alongside psychotherapy. This will depend on the individual assessment, treatment goals and agreed plan of work.