EMDR therapy and counselling for trauma and PTSD
If you've been wondering about this question, you're probably looking for more than a clinical explanation. You want to know whether it can help you move beyond the effects of trauma, anxiety or distressing memories that continue to impact your life.
In this complete guide, you'll learn what is EMDR therapy and how does it work, what happens during treatment, the conditions it can help with, what the research says, and whether it could be the right approach for you.
EMDR therapy is a well-researched, evidence-based treatment that helps people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences. Unlike some forms of therapy, EMDR doesn't require you to describe every detail of what happened. You remain in control throughout the process and can choose how much you share.
Traumatic memories are often stored differently from ordinary memories. Instead of feeling like something that happened in the past, they can continue to trigger intense emotions, distressing thoughts and physical reactions as though the danger is happening now. EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories so they are stored in a more adaptive way, reducing their emotional intensity while allowing you to remember what happened without feeling overwhelmed by it.
EMDR facilitates alleviation of symptoms at their root cause and is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE guideline NG116) for the treatment of PTSD, giving you a proven, evidence‑based pathway forward.
You can also find out more information about EMDR by visiting:
https://emdrassociation.org.uk/a-unique-and-powerful-therapy/emdr-the-basics/
Although EMDR is best known for treating trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it can also help with a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties that stem from distressing or overwhelming life experiences. These experiences don't have to involve a single major traumatic event. Ongoing stress, childhood neglect, bullying, relationship difficulties, medical trauma, grief or repeated experiences of feeling unsafe can all leave lasting emotional wounds.
EMDR may help if you're experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, low self-esteem, phobias, intrusive memories, nightmares, feelings of shame or guilt, or if you find yourself constantly on edge. It can also be effective for people who feel emotionally stuck, struggle to regulate their emotions, or notice the same unhelpful patterns repeating in their relationships or daily life.
You don't need to know the root cause of your difficulties for EMDR therapy to be effective. During our early sessions, we'll work together to explore your history and identify earlier experiences that may be connected to the symptoms you're experiencing today. This process helps us understand what may be keeping your difficulties going, even if the links aren't immediately obvious.
EMDR can help you process experiences that still feel emotionally or physically present, even when you know they happened in the past. It doesn't erase your memories or change what happened, it helps change the way those memories affect you now.
People often experience meaningful changes through a course of EMDR therapy. In the early sessions, you'll learn practical emotional regulation and grounding techniques to help you manage difficult emotions, unhelpful thought patterns and unwanted reactions. We'll also work together to develop gentle, effective ways of responding to triggers, helping you feel more confident in your ability to cope when difficult feelings arise.
As the emotional intensity of traumatic memories reduces, intrusive thoughts, nightmares and flashbacks may become less distressing. You may sleep better, concentrate more easily and have more energy for the people, activities and experiences that matter to you. Situations that once triggered an overwhelming response can begin to feel more manageable, allowing you to stay connected to the present rather than being pulled back into the past.
Trauma can also affect how safe and secure you feel in relationships, leaving you guarded, reactive or emotionally disconnected. By reducing the emotional responses associated with past experiences, EMDR can make it easier to communicate, set healthy boundaries, remain present during difficult conversations and feel more connected to the people you care about.
Ultimately, EMDR can help you move from simply managing the effects of the past to feeling safer, calmer and more in control of your life.
My guide to understanding the trauma response explores what happens in the brain and body during and after trauma, why you may feel stuck in survival mode, and why you react to triggers in ways that don't always make sense. Understanding the trauma response can provide helpful context for understanding how EMDR can help.
The first phase of EMDR focuses on strengthening the autonomic nervous system to build the resilience needed for effective trauma reprocessing. This stage also deepens connection to inner resources and healthy, adaptive memory networks.
During preparation we do not work directly with traumatic memories. You will be encouraged to practice the techniques learned in-between sessions to create a sense of mastery, reinforce therapeutic gains and integrate progress more fully into everyday life. Consistent practice of neural exercises can improve the nervous system’s capacity and flexibility to accurately assess safety and activate appropriate responses.
Subsequent phases identify and target specific memory networks for reprocessing. The goal is to reduce the emotional intensity of these memories and replace negative self-beliefs with adaptive information which accurately reflects our present-day position.
You remain fully awake throughout, EMDR is not hypnosis. I will guide you through activating the memory and encourage you to simply notice thoughts, sensations, and emotions without forcing or analysing. Healing occurs through this natural, non-intrusive process of observation.
Reprocessing traumatic memories can significantly reduce symptoms in the present. When the emotional charge is removed, triggers become less powerful, and negative beliefs lose their grip. This allows you to relate to yourself with greater compassion and curiosity, rather than criticism.
The aim is to integrate the experience into the long-term memory bank, so it fades naturally with time. You’ll be able to recall it by choice, not through involuntary triggers.
If you'd like to understand exactly what an EMDR session looks like from start to finish, I've written a more detailed breakdown of the eight phases of EMDR, from history-taking and preparation through to reprocessing and closure in my blog post EMDR Frequently Asked Questions. It walks through what to expect at each stage, so you can feel more prepared and informed before beginning this work.
As with any form of counselling, it’s hard to say how many sessions will be needed to resolve your issues. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommends 8 – 12 sessions of EMDR for a single incident trauma, more sessions may be required if you have experienced multiple traumas.
EMDR and Trauma-focused therapy with me is a collaborative process. I will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan around your individual needs, one that's built to help you reach the goals you have for therapy. Sessions are designed around you and what you need to feel supported. If you are unsure about whether or not EMDR will suit your needs, then please read 'Is EMDR therapy right for me? for a more detailed explanation of what you can expect from sessions. This article also outlines some of the differences in how you may experience EMDR therapy in comparison to talking therapy
EMDR can be delivered either through regular weekly sessions or in an intensive format for those seeking more focused, accelerated support. Whether you're looking to work steadily through past experiences over time or want a condensed format to make quicker progress, I can you find the help the path that feels right for you.
EMDR sessions taken on a weekly basis cost £80 per 60 minutes.
The cost of EMDR intensive therapy is £240 per half day, or £480 for a full day of treatment. We can tailor timings to suit your individual circumstances.
EMDR therapy sessions can be held in person at my home-based counselling room in Leeds or online via video call using a platform designed specifically for remote EMDR.
Hopefully this guide has given you some clarity around 'what is EMDR therapy and how does it work?'
If you're ready to move beyond the effects of trauma and start living life on your own terms, I'm here to help. Together, we'll work to calm the chaos, rebuild your confidence, and help you create a life that feels safer, calmer and more fulfilling.
We will begin with a 60-minute online consultation. During this session we'll talk through your symptoms or concerns and what you're hoping to get out of therapy. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions about EMDR, trauma-focused therapy, or how I work as a counsellor. If it feels like a good fit and you'd like to continue with regular sessions, we can find a day and time that works well for you going forward. The cost of this appointment is £80 payable at the time of booking, there is no obligation to book further sessions.
It's natural to feel apprehensive about making a commitment to therapy and I understand you may have a few questions you'd like answering before booking in for an initial consultation. If so, please drop me an email with further details and I'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Take the first step today. Get in touch to arrange your initial consultation and begin your journey towards healing.
