About EMDR Therapy

People often ask, is EMDR effective online? The answer is a resounding yes. Therapists have been successfully administering EMDR online for years, and the pandemic further highlighted the need for effective online treatments. Since then, platforms that support bilateral stimulation, such as Bilateral Base, have been developed. We are pleased to offer EMDR both face to face at our Chatham practice and online via Zoom.

EMDR therapy is an evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and is also used to help with anxiety, depression, and phobias. It is important to work with a qualified EMDR therapist to ensure treatment is both safe and effective.

The main goal of EMDR therapy is to help you process traumatic memories and reduce the distress associated with them. Traumatic memories are often not fully processed and can become "stuck" in the brain, leading to ongoing symptoms of trauma. EMDR supports the brain to reprocess these memories and bring relief.

Assessment: Your therapist will explore your history, current symptoms, and the traumatic memories you wish to target.

Preparation: You will be supported to build coping skills and emotional regulation techniques so you feel safe and ready for therapy.

Desensitisation: You will recall a traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation. This may involve following the therapist’s fingers with your eyes, listening to alternating tones, or using gentle taps. Bilateral stimulation helps the brain process memories and reduce their emotional impact.

Reprocessing: The therapist will guide you to reprocess the memory, challenge negative beliefs linked to the trauma, and replace them with more positive and adaptive beliefs.

Integration: Finally, you will work with your therapist to integrate new insights into daily life, supporting healing, positive change, and overall well-being.

For more information on EMDR visit the EMDR Association UK.