EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitisation And Reprogramming

 

WhatsNew:

Voluntary Self Regulation for Hypnotherapy - 1st December 2010

I am delighted that regulation for hypnotherapy has finally arrived! See the CNHC website for more information and an update. 

In May 2009 the Department of Health stated "If patients choose to use complementary or alternative therapy, the Government’s advice is to choose a practitioner registered with a reputable voluntary registration body such as the CNHC"

 

 

HALF PRICE SMOKING CESSATION SESSIONS FOR easibirthing® clients, thier families and friends

 

Hypnotherapy for Childbirth - easibirthing® workshops

Dates and online booking for 2011 now available here

 

Switch It Off And Chill Out

Reducing Your Exposure to Bad News Stories Can Reduce Feelings Of Anxiety

In 2008 I carried out a study to research the impact of repeated negative messages in the media, specifically via radio, television and newpaper news articles on levels of anxiety, stress and feelings of general well being in individuals.  I first became interested in this area long before qualifying as a therapist, when witnessing my young son’s responses to repeated images of the Twin Towers plane crashes which were shown after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  The television coverage was repeated so often during the days following the attack that within a couple of days, he was convinced that hundreds of planes had crashed into hundreds of buildings and had found this highly distressing.  Obviously, once I realized this, I switched off the TV and explained that this was not an everyday occurrence, but because “everyone was so upset” about the incident, it had been repeated on TV over and over again. 

The study concluded that individuals suffering from stress who expose themselves to media through out the day may benefit from switching off TV's and radios which repeat (mainly negative) news stories on an average cycle every 15-20 minutes.

I was awarded the National Council For Hypnotherapy's Researcher Of The Year Award for this piece of work which also formed the basis of my dissertation for my Diploma in Hypno-Psychotherapy.

 

RecentEvents:

Hypnotherapy Profession Acheives VSR 1st December 2010

I am delighted that regulation for hypnotherapy has finally arrived! http://www.cnhc.org.uk/pages/newsManager.cfm?page_id=2&news_id=73 It will take some time for the register to be populated, but this will soon become THE REGISTER from which to choose a hypnotherapist who is trained, qualified and insured in line with the National Occupational Standards.

Naturally as a member and Director of UKCHO I will be registering as soon as the process becomes available in my area.

 

 
Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprogramming

EMDR - The Preferred Therapy For

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Eye Movement Desensitisation And Reprogramming is recommended by NICE for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but can also be used for the treatment of phobia.

 

What is EMDR?

EMDR was founded by Dr Francine Shapiro, who observed that eye movements can reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts and feelings under certain conditions. So the treatment often involves a series of eye movements as the client works through of exercises directed by the therapist in a structured manner. That said, EMDR does not always have to utilise eye movement; it has been found that taps to the clients hands or clicks can also be used where eye movement is difficult or uncomfortable for the client.

How does EMDR work?

Traumatised individuals can experience such strong emotions which feel overwhelming and the mind can feel unable to cope with, or process information as it does ordinarily. This can make the individual feel ‘frozen in time’ in relation to the trauma which can recur as ‘action replays’ or intrusive memories which feel as traumatic as the original event. EMDR seems to directly influence the way that the brain functions, helping restore normal ways of dealing with problems so that memories of the event are no longer painful when brought to mind. It is important to remember that the memory is not erased, but is less upsetting.

What can I expect from EMDR therapy?

Unlike many other forms of psychotherapy, EMDR does not require you to do homework or try and analyse the issues you are facing.  Instead, the therapists asks you to focus on the memory which is troubling you whilst completing sets of eye movements or taps.  Once the old memory no longer causes distress, the therapist helps you to "install" a new more positive feeling, cognition or belief which is more appropriate and helpful to you in the present, rather than old, unhelpful or negative states from the past.

How many therapy sessions will I need?

We will need to assess whether EMDR is an appropriate therapy for you, so I offer an initial consultation by telephone and ask for as much information about your presenting problem in advance of any actual therapy sessions.

A typical EMDR session lasts 60 minutes. The type of problem, life circumstances and the amount of previous treatment will determine how many treatment sessions are necessary. Sessions usually take place weekly and need to continue until the traumatic experience is no longer painful or disturbing

Could EMDR help you?

As a professional UKCP registered psychotherapist I am committed to a
program of continued professional development and in October 2011 I began a new course of training in this powerful technique.

At this point in time I am offering EMDR for dealing with trauma which occurred at least 3 months in the past.
Accreditation as an EMDR practitioner requires that I complete a series of client case studies and as such I am currently offering EMDR therapy sessions at a reduced fee of £35 per hour for up to 6 hours of therapy. 

This therapy is subject to assessment of suitability, and so I am also offering a FREE initial telephone consultation (up to 20 minutes).