As a Clinical Psychologist and Accredited EMDR therapist, I specialise in trauma, perinatal mental health and relationship distress.
Trauma and EMDR Therapy
Difficult or traumatic experiences can continue to affect us long after the event itself.
You may find yourself experiencing intrusive memories, feeling constantly on edge, avoiding certain situations, becoming emotionally numb or overwhelmed, or finding that something from the past continues to affect how you see yourself, your relationships or the world around you.
Sometimes it is clear where these difficulties have come from. At other times, you may know that something isn't quite right without fully understanding why.
Trauma can affect us in different ways
Trauma does not always come from one single event. It can include a frightening or overwhelming experience, a series of difficult experiences, or experiences within relationships and childhood that have shaped how you have learned to understand yourself and others.
You might notice:
-
intrusive or distressing memories
-
nightmares or feeling as though something is happening again
-
anxiety, fear or feeling constantly on alert
-
avoiding people, places or situations
-
feeling emotionally numb or disconnected
-
difficulties regulating emotions
-
shame, guilt or a negative view of yourself
-
difficulties trusting or feeling safe with others
-
relationship difficulties
-
phobias or fears that feel difficult to control
You don't need to have a particular diagnosis or label to seek support. What matters is the impact your experiences are having on you now.
EMDR Therapy
I am an Accredited EMDR therapist and use EMDR alongside other evidence-based psychological approaches.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a psychological therapy that can help people process distressing memories and experiences that continue to feel emotionally present.
When something overwhelming happens, the memory may not become fully processed and can remain connected to the thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and beliefs that were present at the time. This can mean that experiences from the past continue to trigger strong reactions in the present.
EMDR aims to support the processing of these experiences so that they become less distressing and feel more like memories of something that happened, rather than something that is still happening now.
Trauma-informed therapy
Trauma therapy isn't simply about revisiting difficult experiences. Before processing memories, we will consider whether you have enough stability, resources and support to begin this work.
We will work collaboratively and at a pace that feels manageable. Depending on your needs, therapy may include developing ways of managing difficult emotions, strengthening a sense of safety, understanding patterns that have developed in response to past experiences, and building compassion towards yourself.
EMDR may be particularly helpful, but it isn't the right approach for everyone or at every stage of therapy. As a Clinical Psychologist, I can draw on different evidence-based approaches and tailor therapy to you.
When trauma affects relationships
Our past experiences can influence how we respond to people we care about. Trauma can affect trust, closeness, communication and our sense of safety within relationships.
If relationship difficulties are an important part of what you're experiencing, we can explore these within individual therapy. I also offer couples therapy for partners who are experiencing relationship difficulties.
Taking the first step
You don't have to know exactly what is wrong or what type of therapy you need before getting in touch.
I offer a free, no-obligation 15-minute telephone or video consultation. This gives us an opportunity to briefly discuss what you're looking for and whether I may be able to help.