(Hint: It’s Not What You Think) When therapists first come to EMDR, there’s often a moment of curiosity… and confusion. They often as “What actually makes EMDR work?” Is it exposure?Is it hypnosis?Is it all about the eye movements? These are some of the most common assumptions we hear. And while each of these ideas […]
What Actually Makes EMDR Work? Read More »
Why the AIP Model Matters: Understanding the Engine Behind EMDR If you work in the field of trauma therapy, you’ve probably heard the phrase Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. But for many clinicians, the model can still feel somewhat abstract. The AIP model underpins EMDR. It guides case conceptualisation.But what does it really mean in
Why the AIP Model Matters: Understanding the Engine Behind EMDR Read More »
At first glance, this might not seem like a big issue. But when we look more closely at what it takes to become a qualified EMDR trainer. Over the past decade, the evidence base for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) has grown significantly. Originally developed for the treatment of PTSD, EMDR is now supported
Why EMDR Accreditation Matters: A Concern About the Rise of Non-Accredited Training Read More »
Many people assume that everyone visualises their memories. Ask someone to recall a childhood birthday, and we often imagine a vivid picture appearing in their mind — the cake, the room, the people standing around them. But for some people, this simply isn’t how memory works. And that’s why it feels important for us to
When Clients Don’t See Pictures: Aphantasia and EMDR Read More »
We often say trauma isn’t about the event. It’s about how the event was experienced and stored within the person that it happened to. But what does that actually mean? When we describe trauma as an unintegrated memory, we are not minimising its emotional, relational, or physiological impact. We are pointing to something very specific:
Trauma as an unintegrated memory: What This Really Means in the Therapy Room Read More »
When most people think of EMDR, they think of trauma recovery. PTSD. Flashbacks. Nightmares. Distressing memories finally losing their charge. And yes, EMDR is profoundly effective for reducing symptoms. And the evidence base also supports this. Members of the EMDR Association in the UK can access a data base of helpful articles here But if you’ve
Is EMDR just about symptom reduction? Read More »
Working in private practice has changed my relationship with outcome measures in trauma therapy. When I worked in larger services, measures and scores were everywhere. These were expected, monitored, and required. Someone was always asking where they were, whether they had been completed, and whether they had been submitted. How often do we get asked
Outcome Measures in Trauma Therapy: When Scores Go Down, But the Work Isn’t Finished Read More »
“My client understands exactly why they feel this way… so why are they still stuck?” If you’ve ever found yourself thinking this, you’re not alone. Many trauma therapists work with clients who are deeply insightful. They can link their current difficulties back to childhood experiences, identify unhelpful beliefs, and describe their nervous system responses with
Why Insight Alone Doesn’t Create Change in Trauma Therapy Read More »
When exploring potential barriers for people to attend EMDR Training (other than accreditation requirements and finances) I recently received some feedback advising some people were concerned that EMDR was CBT with a touch of mindfulness and quackery. Many clients give feedback like, “Wow!”, “Amazing!”, “It felt like a fairytale—more progress than I expected”, “I was
EMDR: Just CBT With Quackery and mindfulness or Something Far Deeper? Read More »
When you join an EMDR training you are already an experienced therapist (Click here to look at the eligibility criteria). But you are probably curious about ways to integrate EMDR into existing therapy practice. If you already have a solid trauma framework, whether it’s trauma-focused CBT, Somatic Experiencing, or relational depth work you might be
Bringing EMDR Into Your Existing Framework: What Therapists Need to Know Read More »
