Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a specialised, evidence-based psychological therapy originally developed for the treatment of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

EMDR is also effective for a range of other difficulties where past experiences continue to influence emotional well-being in the present, including anxiety, phobias, and distress linked to unresolved life events.

I provide EMDR therapy within a trauma-informed, compassionate, and collaborative framework, carefully tailored to each person’s needs.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

When a distressing or overwhelming experience occurs, the brain may not fully process the memory at the time. Instead, aspects of the experience — such as emotions, body sensations, images, and beliefs — can remain “stuck” and continue to cause distress long after the event has passed.

During EMDR therapy, clients briefly focus on aspects of a distressing memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or gentle tapping.

This process supports the brain’s natural ability to reprocess memories and integrate them appropriately. Over time, the memory becomes clearly located in the past and no longer triggers the same level of emotional or physical distress in the present.

People often notice that:

  • Memories feel less intense or intrusive
  • Emotional reactions become more manageable
  • Triggers reduce
  • Coping feels more natural and less effortful

EMDR does not erase memories. Instead, it helps change how they are stored and experienced.

What Can EMDR Help With?

EMDR is helpful for managing the psychological impact of:

  • Single-incident trauma (e.g. accidents, injuries)
  • Childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences
  • Bullying and humiliation
  • Medical or hospital trauma
  • Difficult or traumatic birth experiences
  • Sexual assault or abuse
  • Attachment and relationship trauma
  • Anxiety and panic linked to past experiences
  • Phobias and specific fears
  • Grief and loss
  • Distressing life events that feel unresolved

EMDR is particularly effective when current difficulties are connected to experiences that the nervous system has not yet fully processed.

If you would like more information about EMDR, you can also visit the EMDR Ireland website.

What If I Don’t Know What Type of Therapy I Need?

That is completely okay.

Many people begin therapy without knowing what type of approach will suit them best. You may have a preference or curiosity about a particular therapy, and you are always welcome to share this.

During the initial assessment sessions, we take time to thoughtfully understand:

  • What has been happening for you
  • What feels most difficult right now
  • What you would like to change or improve

From there, we collaboratively consider which therapeutic approaches are most appropriate. For many people, a combination of evidence-based therapies is most helpful. This may include EMDR, alongside other approaches such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) or Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).

Therapy is always guided by your individual needs, it is not guided by a fixed method.

What Effective Therapy Often Involves

For most people, effective therapy includes:

  • Learning and practising ways to feel calmer, more grounded, and more focused
  • Applying these skills when difficult memories, thoughts, images, or sensations are triggered
  • Developing greater presence and connection with yourself and those important to you
  • Understanding how you have coped with difficult experiences, while gently letting go of coping strategies that may now be limiting your well-being

These processes do not happen in a fixed or linear order. Some steps may feel more accessible than others at different times.

You can trust that I will match your needs with effective, evidence-based therapy, at a pace that feels safe.