EMDR Therapy

EMDR Therapy services in Billericay, Essex

EMDR Therapy or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing is a powerful psychological treatment method that was developed by a Clinical Psychologist, Dr Francine Shapiro in 1987, specifically for the treatment of people with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR Therapy or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing is a powerful psychological /psychotherapeutic treatment method that was developed by a Clinical Psychologist, Dr Francine Shapiro in 1987, specifically for the treatment of people with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). It is a standardised, 8 phase trauma-focused therapy involving the use of bilateral physical stimulation (eyes, taps or tones).

EMDR is used for individuals who have experienced some form of Trauma that has remained unresolved – for instance physical assault, sexual assault, torture, rape or car / motor bike accident etc. The goal of EMDR is to process disturbing traumatic memories by reducing their on-going effect by enabling that person to develop more adaptive coping mechanisms. It has been found to benefit Children as well as Adults.

EMDR Therapy helps to liberate clients who are living in the past to move into a healthy and productive present. It is highly effective for the treatment of Traumas (PTSD), Depression, Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD), Pain, including Phantom Pain and Phobias.

EMDR is an efficacious therapy that does not require much talking and opening up by the client – hence why it is used extensively with veterans and soldiers of war. It also does not require any homework which can be a drawback of CBT or TF-CBT (Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).

When someone experiences a severe psychological trauma (rape, road accident, torture, combat exposure, emotional, sexual, physical abuse, terrorist attack, depression or other mental illness in the family, physical or psychological neglect, natural disaster, witnessing a death, murder etc.) it appears that an imbalance occurs in the nervous system. In other words, when a trauma occurs it seems to get locked in the nervous system with the original sounds, thoughts, feelings and sights. The trauma gets triggered over and over again by internal and external stimuli causing nightmares, flashbacks and intrusive thoughts (PTSD). The eye movements used in EMDR therapy seem to unlock the nervous system and allow the brain to process the trauma – so that it no longer is traumatic any more. Trauma memories can be images, sounds, thoughts, emotions, body sensations and relationships.

It is important to remember that EMDR is an 8 phased Protocol and the eye movements are just one phase of the protocol.

How EMDR Therapy works?

EMDR therapy’s success is based on the Therapist following a strict 8 Phase EMDR treatment Protocol. It has a sound theoretical framework based on the understanding of neurology and has a huge body of published research to demonstrate its effectiveness.

EMDR is achieving positive outcomes with an ever-increasing breadth of trauma-related mental health problems. It manages to take a trauma that an individual has been enduring for a lifetime by turning it from a living nightmare to a simple log of memories that never troubles the individual again.

In 2013 the World Health Organisation (WHO) formally approved the use of EMDR in Adults and Children for PTSD. In 2020 and 2021, EMDR has been the chosen method of treatment for people suffering with COVID related traumas; especially those in the NHS and frontline workers. It has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of adverse life experiences – mainly PTSD and Complex PTSD (C-PTSD).

Is EMDR the same as Hypnotherapy?

EMDR is not Hypnosis nor a form of Hypnotherapy. Its approach targets past experience, current triggers and future potentially challenging situations resulting in alleviation of presenting symptoms, a decrease of distress from the disturbing memory, improved view of self, and resolution of present and future anticipated triggers. It is past, present and future focused.

Qualified EMDR Therapist

I am a trained and qualified EMDR Therapist having undertaken extensive EMDR training with EMDR Works, EMDR Europe with Richard Mitchell, EMDR Works Senior trainer; one of Europe’s leading providers of EMDR Training with an international reputation for excellence. I also attend monthly EMDR Peer Supervision as well as attending ongoing EMDR training to ensure that I am always at the cutting edge of my profession.

I am also a member of the SIG in EMDR (Special Interest Group) which is a (UK, Ireland and Europe) members only forum for open discussion among fellow EMDR professionals on various topics relating to EMDR, allowing me to participate online, by email or both. There are over 1000 members in the SIG. I am also a member of the SIG in EMDR and Spirituality as well as a Committee Member; a member of the SIG in EMDR and Eating Disorders and a member of the SIG in Attachment Informed EMDR. This gives me access to the latest developments and protocols in EMDR Therapy.

I myself received EMDR therapy, whilst training, to overcome a deep fear of spiders I had. I was able to move past my phobia and was able to handle a tarantula after receiving the therapy. Photos of this are on my Socials and my website.

EMDR Therapy success stories

Some client successes with this form of treatment include:

helping a client who had been traumatised by a sexual assault
helping clients process trauma, shame and guilt
helping clients who had been traumatised by their physically abusive childhood
helping clients who had been traumatised by their sexually abusive childhood
helping clients who had been traumatised by their emotionally abusive childhood
helping clients with their phobias (spiders, flying, vomit, blood, seizures and cars)
helping clients process the traumatic memories of the death of a relative due to suicide
helping clients deal with complicated grief as a result of death by suicide
helping clients with complex grief
helping clients with Cancer diagnosis (and other life limiting and life affecting illnesses and conditions) especially when other Psychotherapeutic approaches failed
helping clients with traumas that happened in their childhood where counselling and hypnotherapy have produced no significant results.
helping clients with ED (eating disorders)
- Anorexia (AN)
- Bulimia
- Health Eating Disorder
- Binge Purge Starvation Disorder
helping clients who are presenting with PND (post-natal depression)

Testimonials

“I went to see Nadia after suffering from anxiety related to the Covid-19 outbreak. I’m a frontline worker and was suffering from severe panic attacks. After my first session I felt a massive relief and Nadia’s upbeat and positive vibe helped a lot.
After several sessions I learn coping mechanism and had a better outlook on life. I’m glad I found Nadia and would highly recommend.”

S.M.

“Nadia really helped me see life differently and stay in that positive frame of mind after I had experienced a lot of low times in my life and didn’t know how to make it better. If you are still deciding whether to go to therapy I would highly recommend Nadia as her help can be life changing and get you back to the person you were.”

E.R.

“When I met Nadia I was in a very low, dark place, was off work due to stress, With Nadia’s guidance I gradually got better and am now in a very good place. If anybody needs and wants help no matter what your situation Nadia is the lady to help you. Thank you so much I am so grateful for everything.”

R.B.

MA in HRM — Human Resources Management — (The University of Westminster, London)
BA in Business Administration and Economics (The AUC)
Diploma in Basic Employment Law (DLA Advance)
Level 7 Diploma in Leadership Mentoring and Executive Coaching (The ILM)
Certificates Part 1 and Part 2 of a 4 part EMDR training programme (EMDR Works, EMDR Europe). This enables me to work with Adult and Children.
Flash Technique & EMDR (Philip Manfield) 2020
Practitioners Course in CBT Counselling (Victoria Counselling and Training Services)
Advanced Diploma in Counselling (Victoria Counselling and Training Services)
Certified Loss and Grief Counsellor (Victoria Counselling and Training Services)
Certificate in Creative Counselling (Creation Counselling Services)
Advanced Diploma in Hypnoanalysis (The Essex Institute of Clinical Hypnotherapy)
Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy (The Essex Institute of Clinical Hypnotherapy)
Certified Hypnotherapist (The Essex Institute of Clinical Hypnotherapy)
Certificate in Hypnotherapy working with Children (Lynda Hudson)
Advanced Analytical Hypno-Psychotherapy (The Essex Institute of Clinical Hypnotherapy)
EFT (Emotional Freedom Therapy) Practitioner (The Association of Meridian Energy Therapies AAMET)
FInsLM — Fellow of the ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management)
Registered Member MBACP — of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
Member of the CNHC’s Accredited Voluntary Register (Complementary & National Healthcare Council)