Psychotherapeutic Services:
In over 25 years of experience working as a psychotherapist and counsellor in a wide variety of settings, I have found that the best way of working is to adapt the way I work to the client and the issues they are bringing.
You are at the centre of our therapy sessions. My focus is on you and the way I work is dependent on what you bring, what you're struggling with and what you need.
Every person is unique and that's why I tailor the therapy to you and your needs. I might recommend you use some tools, techniques or strategies. Maybe you need a space to reflect and make sense of what's happening in your life. Maybe you need a combination of the above or you're simply not sure what you want. The process of therapy can give you clarity about many things you're not sure about.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing)
EMDR is a fast-acting, efficient technique type of psychotherapy which is increasingly well-known and popular, amongst both therapists and clients. It has been well-researched and, as a result, is recommended by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) for the treatment of PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder). It is now increasingly used for other problems (including anxiety, depression, and chronic pain), which may have their root in problematic memories.
When we experience a difficult event in life our brain works to 'process' the difficult feelings so that we can resolve the situation in our mind. We have all had a difficult experience at some time that we have been able to get over.
We may feel very distressed, but eventually the feeling is worked through and we are able to live with what has happened. Sometimes, the difficult event is so hard or traumatic, that our brain has trouble processing. We may then have 'frozen' memories of that event and experience similar feelings every time it comes into our awareness. This is an unresolved or 'traumatic' memory.
EMDR is a way of unblocking the natural system of processing, so that it is no longer 'frozen'. It uses a procedure to help the brain start to re-process difficult and traumatic material. The technique used is called 'bi-lateral stimulation' because it aims to stimulate alternately each side of the brain (left/right). In sessions this is done either with eye movements or with some other bi-lateral stimulation.
You can watch an information video about EMDR (from the US) below: [Credit to EMDR International Association]