Jane Belinda Therapy
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When something from the past still feels present
What happens when you are traumatised? Your body routinely manages new information and experiences without you being aware of it. However, when something out of the ordinary occurs and you are traumatised by an overwhelming event (e.g. a car accident) or by being repeatedly subjected to distress (e.g. childhood abuse), your natural coping mechanism can become overwhelmed. This overloading can result in distressing memories being stuck at the forefront of our brain or being "unprocessed".
Your ability to live in the present and not be disturbed from flashbacks and triggers of the event can be inhibited. EMDR helps create the connections between your brain’s memory networks, enabling your brain to process the traumatic memory in a very natural way.
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing.
It is a structured, trauma-focused therapy that helps you process distressing experiences and the thoughts, emotions and physical sensations connected to them.
During EMDR, you will be asked to focus briefly on aspects of an experience while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as following movements with your eyes or using alternating sounds or taps.
You don’t have to analyse or retell every detail of what happened.
What can EMDR help with?
EMDR is particularly well known for working with trauma and distressing experiences. It may be helpful when you are struggling with:
- traumatic or distressing memories
- childhood or developmental trauma
- relational trauma
- anxiety connected to past experiences
- disturbing images or sensations
- persistent feelings of shame, guilt or fear
- negative beliefs about yourself
- experiences that continue to trigger strong reactions in the present
EMDR isn’t right for everyone or for every difficulty, so we’ll explore whether it is appropriate for you. You don’t need to know exactly what type of therapy you need before getting in touch.
EMDR Questions
What is an EMDR session like? There are several stages to EMDR. We’ll begin by understanding what brings you to therapy and identifying what you would like to change. Before processing begins, we’ll spend time developing resources and ways of staying grounded and emotionally regulated. When you are ready, we can begin processing appropriate experiences using EMDR. Afterwards, we’ll make space to notice what has changed and help you integrate the experience. You won’t be rushed into processing before you’re ready.
Do I have to talk about everything that happened? No. You don’t have to tell me every detail of a traumatic experience. We will work collaboratively with what feels appropriate and manageable for you. Sometimes it is enough to identify the experience, the emotions, beliefs or body sensations associated with it.
Is EMDR safe? Your safety and stability come first. We don’t begin trauma processing simply because you have told me about something difficult. We’ll go at a pace that is appropriate for you, and you remain in control of the process.
How long does treatment take? EMDR can be a brief focused treatment or integrated into existing therapy sessions. EMDR sessions are 50 minutes and can be more frequent if needed.
Can EMDR can be part of your wider therapy? EMDR doesn’t have to be the whole of your therapy. For some people, EMDR is the main focus. For others, it becomes one part of a broader trauma-focused therapeutic process. My approach is relational, trauma-informed and change-focused, drawing on EMDR alongside other approaches where they are clinically appropriate.
Will I will remain in control and empowered? During EMDR treatment, you will remain in control and can stop the process at any time. This is not a form of hypnosis. Adapted from www.traumacentre.com
Testimonial
"I am so pleased I reached out for help at a time when I was unable to cope. I can’t thank Jane enough for helping me through one of the most painful emotional times in my life " G.B.