London is the political, financial, and cultural centre of the United Kingdom. It’s one of the wealthiest countries in the world and one of the most densely populated. It’s a city with a long history and one that’s been beset by tragedies such as the Great Fire of London in 1666, the Whitechapel murders committed by an unidentified figure known only as Jack the Ripper, and the Blitz during the Second World War.
But while London has grappled with its tragedy and stands resolute to this day, the same cannot be said of many Londoners. Many in the city struggle with trauma, and while many can and do go through life with resilience, they are still haunted by their memories.
These people need help processing the trauma that they carry. PROMIS wants to give them that help and one way it can do that is through EMDR therapy.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It’s a form of psychotherapy that is designed to help individuals process troubling memories and traumatic experiences. It’s notably effective at treating conditions that are related to trauma, such as PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder).
The goal of EMDR treatment is to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories in a way that reduces the emotional distress that it can cause and allows for more healthy resolution. Over time, EMDR can lead to significant symptom reduction, improved emotional regulation, and a sense of empowerment and resolution for the individual.
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.
The Phases of EMDR Therapy
As mentioned before, there are 8 phases to EMDR therapy. These phases are:
History Taking
During this initial phase of EMDR, the therapist collects data regarding the client’s personal history, traumatic experiences, and symptoms. They prioritise building a strong therapeutic rapport with the client, fostering trust, and collaboratively setting clear treatment goals and anticipated outcomes.
Preparation
To prepare the client for the next phase of EMDR therapy, the therapist educates them about EMDR, its processes, and potential outcomes. They also equip the client with effective coping strategies to manage and regulate emotional distress during sessions.
Assessment
During the assessment phase of EMDR, specific traumatic memories are targeted for reprocessing. The client then recalls these memories, concentrating on related negative beliefs, emotions, and physical sensations for comprehensive examination and transformation.
Desensitisation
In the desensitisation phase of EMDR, the therapist uses the aforementioned bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, taps, or sounds, to guide the client through reprocessing the targeted memories. This process involves shifting focus between the traumatic memory and present safety until its emotional intensity is reduced.
Installation
During the installation phase of EMDR, the therapist helps the client install positive beliefs and emotions to replace negative ones associated with the traumatic memory. This fosters resilience and empowerment and contributes to emotional healing.
Body Scan
In the body scan phase of EMDR, the therapist helps the client recognise and manage any lingering physical tension or discomfort stemming from the trauma, promoting holistic healing and well-being.
Closure
When the EMDR session concludes, relaxation techniques are used to foster a sense of stability for the client, ensuring they leave the session feeling calm and centred.
Reevaluation
During follow-up sessions in EMDR therapy, the therapist will evaluate the client’s progress, adjust targets as needed, and reinforce positive transformations. This ongoing process ensures continued growth and addresses any therapeutic needs that may emerge down the line.
Can EMDR Be Done Online?
It’s possible for EMDR to be conducted online through video conferencing platforms. While traditional in-person therapy sessions offer face-to-face interaction, online therapy sessions can still be effective in their own right.
Therapists can adapt the bilateral stimulation techniques for virtual settings, such as visual cues or tapping exercises that the client can follow at home. Online EMDR requires a stable internet connection, a private and quiet environment, and a working computer.
What Are the Benefits of EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy offers several benefits. It’s effective for trauma-related conditions like PTSD, as it can reduce symptoms like flashbacks, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts.
EMDR also enhances emotional regulation, resilience, and self-awareness. It’s flexible and can be adapted for a range of mental health concerns, and it can improve many people’s overall well-being and quality of life.
What Other Disorders Can EMDR Help With?
While EMDR works to treat PTSD and other trauma-related conditions, EMDR has shown efficacy in treating a range of other disorders and issues.
It can be beneficial for anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD), and specific phobias. Depressive disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and persistent depressive disorder (PDD), can also be managed with EMDR. It can aid in low self-esteem, self-critical thoughts, and past traumas contributing to depression.
EMDR has been utilised in treating dissociative disorders like dissociative identity disorder (DID) and dissociative amnesia, assisting individuals in integrating fragmented memories and identities.
EMDR can benefit individuals with grief and loss, addiction, chronic pain, and self-esteem issues. Its adaptive processing approach makes it a versatile therapy for addressing various psychological and emotional challenges beyond trauma.
Who Can Benefit EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy can benefit individuals who have experienced different forms of trauma, including but not limited to physical or sexual abuse, accidents, natural disasters, combat, or childhood neglect.
Furthermore, EMDR can help people seeking personal growth and self-improvement by addressing past experiences that hinder their well-being. It’s a versatile therapy that can be used on people of all ages, provided they can engage in the therapeutic process and maintain a safe and supportive environment during sessions.
Facilities That Offer EMDR Counselling in London
Several facilities in London offer EMDR therapy. Some of these include:
The Awareness Centre
The Awareness Centre has three practices in London. One is on Abbeville Road in Clapham, another is on Tooting Road in Tooting, and another is on Wimpole Street in Marylebone. They provide EMDR therapy for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression, among other mental health concerns.
London Trauma Specialists
Based on Bloomsbury Street, this clinic, as its name would suggest, specialises in trauma-focused therapies, including EMDR, for individuals struggling with PTSD, childhood trauma, and other trauma-related disorders.
The Trauma Practice
Located on Warwick Crescent, this facility focuses on trauma therapy, including EMDR, for individuals dealing with PTSD, complex trauma, and related mental health issues.
Why Choose PROMIS For EMDR Therapy in London?
While the other options in London can be compelling, there are still many reasons to come to PROMIS’ London location. These reasons include:
Executive Program
Our Achilles program caters to working professionals or those who require a high level of discretion. This program also includes a separate working space so guests can keep up with their professional responsibilities.
Central London Location
We are located in the heart of London on Kendrick Mews in South Kensington. Our location allows clients to maintain proximity to the rest of London. For clients outside of London, they can be picked up and taken directly to our facility. We also provide a range of other wellness activities.
Countryside Activities
The London location has a total of nine beds, and we integrated activities such as kayaking, horseback riding, sailing, swimming, and golf into the treatment to make recovery more fun and engaging.
Come To Us For Compassionate Care
Traumatic stress is a burden that people bear. It can come from being in a war zone, being abused, or being caught up in a major accident or natural disaster. The actual event can last a minute or less than that, but the scar it leaves can linger and last a lifetime.
Scars heal, but they can still throb in pain. But that pain can be made more bearable with the right treatment. EMDR therapy can help with a range of trauma-related concerns. Contact us now, and we’d be pleased to offer you the trauma treatment that you need.
