Online EMDR therapy
I am currently completing my EMDR training and will be offering online EMDR therapy to new clients from January 2027.
Sometimes we understand why we feel anxious or react strongly to certain situations, but that understanding doesn't necessarily change how we feel.
Past experiences, whether a particular distressing event or difficulties that have built up over time, can continue to affect how we feel about ourselves, other people and our relationships.
EMDR is a structured form of psychotherapy that can help us process distressing experiences and their continuing impact.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing.
It is a structured form of psychotherapy that helps people process distressing memories and experiences which may continue to affect how they feel, think and respond in everyday life.
Sometimes, when something has been particularly distressing or overwhelming, the memories and feelings associated with it can remain difficult to make sense of. We may find ourselves responding to situations in the present in ways that are connected to what happened in the past.
EMDR involves bringing aspects of these experiences to mind while using 'bilateral stimulation'. This often involves following a moving visual stimulus with your eyes or using alternating tapping. It forms part of a wider therapeutic process that can help memories become less distressing.
EMDR is often best known as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it can also be used to help with a range of difficulties including anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.
Assessment and preparation are important parts of EMDR. Before beginning any processing work, we will take time to understand your experiences and consider whether this approach is appropriate for you.
You can find some useful information on EMDR on the BACP website.
What can EMDR help with?
People come to EMDR therapy for many different reasons. Some are struggling with the impact of a particular event, such as an accident, a frightening experience or a significant loss. Others may be affected by experiences that have built up over time, perhaps during childhood or within difficult relationships.
Sometimes the impact is quite clear. You might experience distressing memories, nightmares or strong emotional reactions when something reminds you of what happened.
At other times, the connection may be less obvious.
Perhaps you find yourself feeling anxious in situations that other people seem to manage comfortably. You might worry about criticism or rejection, feel responsible for other people's feelings or find it difficult to feel safe and settled in relationships.
You may recognise patterns in how you respond to other people, even when you understand where those patterns might have come from.
EMDR offers a way of working with distressing experiences that may be contributing to these feelings and responses. Whether it is an appropriate approach for you will depend on your individual circumstances, which we can explore together during the assessment process.
What happens during EMDR therapy?
EMDR follows a structured process, but the way we work will depend on your individual experiences, circumstances and needs.
Preparation is an important part of the work. We will spend time helping you understand the process, considering how you manage difficult feelings and developing ways to support you during and between sessions.
When you are sufficiently prepared, we can begin working with particular memories or experiences that may be contributing to your current difficulties.
This involves bringing aspects of an experience to mind while using 'bilateral stimulation'. This usually involves a series of eye movements, but can also involve alternating tapping.
You remain aware of your surroundings throughout the process, and we will regularly pause to notice what you are experiencing. You don't need to describe every detail of what happened, and we can pause or stop the processing if needed.
EMDR can feel quite different from a 'regular' talking therapy session. We won't necessarily spend long periods exploring, discussing or describing your experiences. You might notice that I take notes during the session and that, while you're processing, I may invite you to continue with the bilateral stimulation rather than asking you to explain or explore everything that's coming up.
Throughout therapy, we will make time to review how things are going, notice any changes and consider what might need further attention.
There is no fixed number of sessions that everyone needs. The length of the work will depend on your circumstances, the experiences you are bringing and how the process unfolds.
My approach to online EMDR therapy
My background in attachment-based therapy informs how I approach EMDR, particularly my understanding of how earlier experiences and relationships can continue to affect us.
Although EMDR is a distinct, structured form of therapy, I bring the same attention to understanding your individual experiences, building a trusting therapeutic relationship and working at a pace that feels manageable for you. I see my role as walking alongside you throughout this process, making space to talk about any concerns and consider what you need as the work progresses.
I offer EMDR therapy online, allowing you to attend sessions from a private, comfortable space without needing to travel. EMDR can be delivered effectively online, with adaptations to the way we use bilateral stimulation.
Before we begin, we'll consider whether online EMDR is appropriate for you and talk through the practical arrangements, including finding a private space where you won't be interrupted, having a reliable internet connection and what we would do if the connection was lost during a session.
We'll also discuss how you can look after yourself following sessions, as you may notice thoughts, feelings or memories arising between appointments.
Sessions and Fees
I offer EMDR as a separate service from my individual counselling and psychotherapy.
Sessions can be arranged for different lengths, depending on your individual needs, the stage of the work and my availability.
EMDR session fees
60-minute session: £85
90-minute session: £130
Payment and cancellation arrangements are the same as for my other therapy services.