Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)

What can EMDR help with?

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an extremely well regarded and effective treatment for many different types of psychological distress. It is recommended and endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for treating PTSD, anxiety, phobias and depression, among other things.  EMDR can be effective for anyone whose difficulties are rooted in an upsetting or traumatic life experience or experiences.  Examples can include difficult relationships with parents or peers, single distressing events such as the loss of a loved one, a car accident or an unwanted sexual experience, or complex and chronic abuse, trauma or neglect. As a significant number of people with eating disorders have experienced trauma either precipitating, or during their illness, it can be an extremely useful part of eating disorder treatment.

what does EMDR involve?

In EMDR therapy, following a full assessment of the impact of the trauma, clients are asked to recall the traumatic event(s) while they also move their eyes from side-to-side, guided by the movement of their therapists fingers. Different aspects of the trauma are considered – the images, the feelings, beliefs the person may hold about themselves, their role or the meaning of the traumatic event. It is not necessary to talk in detail about the traumatic events in EMDR therapy as the focus in on the eye movements, rather than the talking. Through this process, memories are not forgotten, but clients are able to recognise them as being ‘old memories’ that do not evoke the same level of distress.

How is EMDR offered at THe London CEntre?

EMDR can be offered as a stand alone therapy or as an adjunct to eating disorder therapy when people have a specific trauma memory that they want to work on alongside it.  People can need as few as 1 – 3 sessions of EMDR.  However, for more complex traumas, clients are likely to need a greater number of sessions.  EMDR is a complex therapeutic process that should always be delivered by properly trained therapists. Currently 3 of the therapists at The London Centre are fully trained and accredited in EMDR Therapy.