EMDR & Trauma
In the NHS and in private practice I have worked with people who have experienced traumatic events. At the Royal Sussex County Hospital I saw women who had traumatic births which affected their relationships with partners and also their babies and meant they were often fearful of future births.
When working with anyone who has experienced trauma and who might have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I am careful to only suggest approaches which enhance people's wellbeing. After a detailed assessment it might be appropriate to offer EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing. This is a method recommended by NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
After traumatic circumstances, memories can get 'stuck'. They can be triggered really easily and it can feel as though past events are happening in the present. In addition to other distressing experiences, people might have: flash backs, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, anxiety and poor sleep. In therapy we would look at how trauma affects the body, thoughts, sensations, memories and beliefs.
Through EMDR people often describe the memories fading. They can also describe remembering less traumatic elements of experiences which they had forgotten and which can be more positive. Another important part of the EMDR treatment is to help people explore ways of calming themselves in times of stress. This treatment may require longer sessions that the usual 50 minutes.
When working with anyone who has experienced trauma and who might have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I am careful to only suggest approaches which enhance people's wellbeing. After a detailed assessment it might be appropriate to offer EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing. This is a method recommended by NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
After traumatic circumstances, memories can get 'stuck'. They can be triggered really easily and it can feel as though past events are happening in the present. In addition to other distressing experiences, people might have: flash backs, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, anxiety and poor sleep. In therapy we would look at how trauma affects the body, thoughts, sensations, memories and beliefs.
Through EMDR people often describe the memories fading. They can also describe remembering less traumatic elements of experiences which they had forgotten and which can be more positive. Another important part of the EMDR treatment is to help people explore ways of calming themselves in times of stress. This treatment may require longer sessions that the usual 50 minutes.