EMDR and Counselling for PTSD, Anxiety and Depression
EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing) can be used to provide relief from almost any symptom, problem or behaviour that is causing distress in the here and now. Most commonly it is used to treat symptoms of PTSD which can develop after a stressful, distressing or frightening experience, and complex PTSD which may arise as a consequence of a prolonged traumatic history.
EMDR therapy is a gentle and compassionate therapeutic approach that typically starts by addressing past memories which have contributed to current difficulties. The goal is to reduce the emotional charge or distress a memory carries to as low as is ecologically possible. This facilitates the brain’s natural healing process allowing the incident to be stored correctly in the long-term memory bank, where memories naturally fade with time.
You will not be required to talk in detail about what happened. Not everyone knows the root cause of their problems, this is not a problem in EMDR as during the assessment and preparation phase we can use a range of techniques to help us pinpoint earlier experiences that have contributed to here and now problems.
We will also look at present triggers and recent situations that you feel, or wish, could have been handled differently. EMDR therapy will enable you to better understand your reactions, and how these have been influenced by learnings from past trauma. The final stage of EMDR is to use your new-found courage, confidence and wisdom to alleviate any future concerns, by creating positive experiences in the brain linked to dealing with predicted future scenarios.
Achieving your treatment goals requires commitment to the EMDR therapy process and an open mind - it is different to conventional counselling and might feel 'weird' to begin with.
EMDR therapy is a well-researched, evidence-based treatment recognised as one of the most effective approaches for PTSD. However, mental health challenges are not always trauma-related. Issues such as major life transitions, acute stress, bereavement, phobias, or relationship breakdowns can also cause significant distress and impair daily functioning. EMDR therapy may still be beneficial even if you do not identify as having a trauma history.
Research studies indicate that EMDR intensives can produce outcomes comparable to weekly therapy sessions taken over several months. This means that you could gain rapid symptom relief from just 1 - 5 days of EMDR intensive therapy.
Weekly or fortnightly sessions of EMDR therapy offers a steady, paced approach to trauma work. Sessions unfold over time, allowing the processing of memories while also tending to everyday pressures such as relationships, emotional regulation, and general life stress. This rhythm gives space for integration between sessions; time to absorb new insights, practise coping strategies, and gradually strengthen trust in the therapeutic process.
If you are new to therapy, experiencing significant dissociation, living with chronic instability, or managing limited emotional or practical resources, this slower structure can be especially supportive. The ongoing therapeutic relationship becomes a stabilising anchor, and the consistent pacing helps the nervous system adapt safely and predictably.
EMDR intensives offer a concentrated, time‑limited format for trauma processing. Instead of spreading work across weekly sessions, intensives involve longer blocks of therapy delivered over a few consecutive days or weeks. This structure allows you to stay deeply engaged in the material, reducing the stop‑start nature of weekly work and supports more continuous processing of traumatic memories.
Intensives may be suitable if you feel ready for focused work, have a specific trauma or cluster of memories you want to target, or prefer a more efficient model due to life demands, travel, or scheduling constraints. The immersive format often accelerates progress because the nervous system remains in a therapeutic rhythm, with fewer interruptions from daily stressors. This model can also benefit individuals who have already built foundational stability such as emotional regulation skills, a sense of safety in therapy, and adequate support outside sessions. With these elements in place, intensives can provide a powerful opportunity for meaningful change in a shorter timeframe.
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.
The overall length of an EMDR intensive is dependent on your individual goals. A single day of EMDR intensive therapy may be adequate for an isolated traumatic event.
Those seeking to address a specific issue that has developed from multiple adverse experiences would benefit from 1 - 3 days of EMDR therapy.
If you have a complex trauma history and wish to achieve a comprehensive resolution then a 5-day EMDR intensive is the most likely recommendation.
We will explore your therapy goals at the initial consultation, after which I can recommend an appropriate treatment plan. EMDR therapy is a collaborative process, I work with clients to develop a treatment plan that suits individual requirements and has the capacity to meet your goals for therapy.
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 intensives can be held in person at my home-based counselling room in north east Leeds or online via video call using a platform designed specifically for remote EMDR.
The cost of EMDR taken on an hourly / weekly basis is £80 per 60 minutes.
If you would like a more in-depth overview of EMDR please take a look ‘A Deep Dive into EMDR’ for a broader explanation of the themes touched upon above.
Please email me at calmthechaoscounselling@gmail.com to book an initial consultation where we can explore if EMDR therapy is an appropriate way forward for the concerns and symptoms you wish to resolve. You are also free to ask any questions about the EMDR intensive process and my way of working.
The initial consultation is a 60 minute session, held online via video call. The cost of this appointment is £80 payable at the time of booking.
