What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy originally developed to treat trauma and post-traumatic stress, and now widely used for anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, and other distressing life experiences.
Unlike traditional talking therapy, EMDR doesn't require you to describe a difficult memory in detail. Instead, it uses guided eye movements (or other forms of bilateral stimulation) while you briefly focus on the memory, helping your brain process and "unstick" experiences that have become frozen in the nervous system. Many people find that memories which once felt overwhelming begin to lose their emotional intensity, while the facts of what happened remain intact.
How does it work?
When something distressing happens, the brain sometimes struggles to fully process the experience. The memory can get "stuck," continuing to trigger the same fear, shame, or panic it did at the time — even years later. EMDR helps the brain complete that natural processing, similar to what happens during REM sleep, so the memory can be stored without the same emotional charge.
What can EMDR help with?
- Trauma and PTSD
- Anxiety and panic
- Phobias
- Low self-esteem and self-criticism
- Grief and loss
- Distressing memories from childhood or adulthood
- Performance anxiety
What to expect
We'll begin with a thorough history-taking and preparation phase, making sure you feel resourced and safe before any reprocessing work begins. You're always in control of the pace — we go only as fast as feels right for you.
EMDR work is usually a mixture of standard 50-minute sessions and longer 90-minute processing sessions, which allow enough time to work through material fully and return to a settled state before ending. EMDR is offered in-person only, at my Peckham, South-East London practice.
My approach
As a Certified Trauma Professional and EMDR-trained psychotherapist, I bring both clinical training and a trauma-informed, compassionate approach to this work. EMDR can feel intense, and I make sure we move at a pace that feels safe and manageable, always grounded in the same individuality, transparency, and care that shapes the rest of my practice.
Getting started
If you're curious whether EMDR might help with what you're experiencing, I offer a free 15-minute consultation to talk through your situation and answer any questions.