One of the biggest uncertainties for EMDR therapists is this: “Is this actually working?” They really want to find out “How do you know if processing is happening in EMDR?” You might be sitting in a session wondering… If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, you’re not alone. In fact, this is one of the
How Do You Know If Processing Is Happening in EMDR? Read More »
It’s easy to get drawn into techniques. In fact, it’s one of the most common things we see in therapists learning EMDR, a search for new scripts, specific protocols, or ways to make the work quicker and more efficient. But here’s the truth: Without a strong foundation, techniques don’t hold. And when things don’t hold,
Why a Strong Foundation in EMDR Matters More Than Techniques Read More »
(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
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 »
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 »
“EMDR: Just Like CBT With a Touch of Mindfulness and Quackery?” When exploring possible barriers to attending EMDR training, aside from accreditation requirements and finances, I recently received some interesting feedback. Some people believed EMDR was simply CBT with a touch of mindfulness and quackery. I understand where that perception comes from. Clients often describe
EMDR: Just CBT With Quackery and mindfulness or Something Far Deeper? Read More »
