EMDR Therapy Birmingham

Historically, the city of Birmingham has been the United Kingdom’s industrial centre. It was one of the world’s first, if not the first, period manufacturing towns. However, this reputation as a manufacturing and industrial hub worked up to the city’s detriment between 1940 and 1943. The Birmingham Blitz saw the German Luftwaffe drop more than 1800 tonnes of bombs on the city, which made it the third most heavily bombed British city behind only London and Liverpool.

It took decades of urban regeneration for the city to recover, and today, its economy is dominated by the service sector. 

Although the trauma of WWII is a distant memory, modern-day society has its share of individuals trying to overcome traumatic or distressing experiences, and as opposed to the 1940s, today we have acclaimed effectiveness in treating trauma.

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How Does Eye Movement Desensitisation And Reprocessing (EMDR) Work?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an approach to psychotherapy that is designed to help individuals process trauma, distressing memories, and other emotional issues. Francine Shapiro developed it in the late 1980s. This type of therapy is particularly effective at treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it can also be helpful for those struggling with anxiety, phobias, depression, and other psychological conditions.

The core technique of this approach involves the therapist guiding the client through a series of bilateral stimulations, which can include eye movements and tactile or auditory cues. These bilateral stimuli are thought to stimulate both brain hemispheres, facilitating the processing of traumatic memories and emotions.

How Does EMDR Therapy Work?

EMDR therapy works through an eight-phase approach. At the outset, a psychotherapist gathers information about the client’s history and identifies specific traumatic events or distressing memories to address. Then, they help the client develop coping skills to manage emotional distress during sessions.

The core of EMDR is accessing these memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation. This bilateral stimulation is believed to activate both hemispheres of the brain, which facilitates reprocessing traumatic memories. It can be done by following the therapist’s finger movements with the eyes or using tactile or auditory cues.

While the client recalls the memory, they also focus on negative beliefs associated with it and the sensations they feel. Through repeated bilateral stimulation, the memory’s emotional charge is diminished, and the client can integrate new, more positive beliefs and interpretations into their mindset. This process continues until the memory no longer triggers significant distress, which can greatly reduce the effect that the trauma has on the client.

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What Do EMDR Sessions Entail?

An EMDR session typically begins with the therapist thoroughly assessing the client’s history and identifying specific traumas or emotional issues to target. During a session, the client is guided to recall distressing memories while focusing on bilateral stimulation, which can involve following the therapist’s finger, listening to alternating sounds, or feeling gentle taps on their hands. The taps can also alternate from one side to another.

As the patient becomes engaged in the process, the therapist helps them to navigate the emotions, thoughts, and sensations associated with the targeted memory. The goal is to facilitate the brain’s natural healing process by reprocessing these traumatic memories and integrating more adaptive information.

Sessions are structured and follow a protocol that includes phases such as history-taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation of positive beliefs, and closure. Throughout the sessions, the therapist provides support, guidance, and feedback to help the patient process and resolve their emotional difficulties.

Exploring The Benefits Of EMDR Therapy

EMDR is used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a condition that’s often associated with military service, and many veterans of the UK Armed Forces do indeed develop PTSD as a result of their service. 

However, combat is not the only traumatic event that can cause a person to develop PTSD. Anyone who has been through abuse, a major accident, or a natural disaster can be traumatised by their experience and develop PTSD as a result.

EMDR has been used for people struggling with mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, and other emotional issues. Furthermore, those who have difficulty coping with overwhelming emotions, low self-esteem, or recurring intrusive thoughts can benefit from the therapeutic techniques used in this kind of therapy.

While it’s not generally used as a primary treatment for eating disorders, it can be used in conjunction with other treatment approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

How Common is EMDR?

Since being developed in the late 1980s, EMDR has gained significant recognition and acceptance within the mental health community. It’s considered a mainstream and evidence-based treatment for trauma-related disorders, especially PTSD. EMDR’s effectiveness and widespread adoption are reflected in its inclusion in treatment guidelines and recommendations by organisations like the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

EMDR is commonly practised by licensed mental health professionals, including psychologists, counsellors, and therapists, who have received specialised training in EMDR techniques. Many mental health clinics, hospitals, and private practices offer EMDR therapy as part of their services. Additionally, EMDR training programmes and workshops are available for professionals who want to add this modality to their skill sets.

What Are the Risks or Complications of EMDR?

EMDR therapy is generally considered safe and effective, with minimal risks or complications, when conducted by a trained and licensed therapist. However, like any other therapeutic approach, there are potential considerations that you need to know about.

During EMDR sessions, some individuals can become distressed, emotionally uncomfortable, or become hyperaware of traumatic memories. This can increase anxiety or emotional intensity before being resolved, which leads to relief. Therapists are trained to manage these reactions and ensure the patient feels safe throughout the process.

For individuals with complex trauma, EMDR may require extra precautions or adjustments in treatment planning. These cases may require a more gradual approach to avoid overwhelming the client or triggering distressing responses.

Where to Get EMDR Therapy in Birmingham?

Many facilities offer EMDR therapy in Birmingham to treat a wide range of psychological difficulties involving generalised anxiety disorder or to help process traumatic memories. Some of these facilities provide private medical health and care while the NHS may provide this treatment offered by qualified mental health professionals within the NHS system for eligible patients.

Some of the facilities providing mental health services in the Birmingham area are:

Why Choose PROMIS For Treatment?

While the options for EMDR therapy in Birmingham can be compelling, there are still several reasons that can make coming to our facility in Kent for treatment the better option. These reasons may include:

Countryside Recovery

PROMIS offers our patients peace, serenity, and privacy during recovery. Our medical staff provides guidance and support. All healing aspects are carefully managed by our skilled mental health professionals, professional chefs, and nutritionists dedicated to ensuring a safe and confidential experience at our facilities. We only admit a limited number of guests who can enter at once. The low staff-to-client ratio ensures personalised attention and timely care.

Healing for Families As Well As Clients

PROMIS Hay Farm prioritises the involvement of families in recovery, providing weekly family meetings, therapy, and a dedicated programme. As family members become more educated about a patient’s condition, they can become allies in the journey to recovery. 

World-Class Facilities

Our Hay Farm location offers comfortable living spaces amidst natural serenity, enhancing the healing process. Nestled in the North Downs of Kent, our centre features amenities such as a gym, spa, business centre, art, and music therapy rooms, together with a variety of recreational activities.

Let Us Help You Take Control Of Your Life

There are many ways that people deal with their traumatic stress disorder. Some direct their energy into something else, like work or art. Some use physical exercise, hoping to tire themselves out so much that they simply don’t have the energy to think about the event that traumatised them.

Some turn to more illicit means, such as drugs and alcohol, which invariably lead to addiction. Regardless of the way someone deals with it, these are not always the healthiest ways to deal with trauma. EMDR is a medically-recognised type of therapy to deal with the processing and healing of traumatic memories and it’s one of the numerous modalities we use at PROMIS.

At PROMIS, we have a wealth of experience of over 35 years treating mental health conditions. If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, please feel free to contact us. Our dedicated team will gladly assist you with any query you may have or give you information on our services, who we are, or our costs. You are welcome to seek our assistance at any time, and we may be able to help you make informed decisions.

We understand the challenges you are facing and although you may find yourself being overwhelmed, we want to let you know you are not alone and can call on us if you need to.