EMDR Therapy
Helping your mind and body heal from past experiences
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a structured, evidence-based approach to therapy that helps people recover from distressing events and difficult emotional experiences.
Rather than talking at length about what happened, EMDR supports the brain in naturally processing unresolved memories. It uses bilateral stimulation – such as guided eye movements, tapping or sounds – while you recall aspects of a troubling event. This process helps reduce the emotional charge of the memory and allows your mind to integrate it more adaptively.
EMDR is recommended by the NHS, NICE, and the World Health Organisation for the treatment of trauma.
What can EMDR help with?
EMDR was originally developed for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but it is now widely used to support people with a variety of challenges, including:
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Trauma and abuse (recent or historic)
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Anxiety and panic attacks
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Low self-esteem and confidence
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Phobias and fears
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Complicated grief or loss
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Stress and overwhelm
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Disturbing memories that feel ‘stuck’
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Feelings of shame, guilt, or emotional numbness
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Chronic pain or physical symptoms related to trauma
If something difficult has happened and you can’t seem to ‘move on’, EMDR may be a powerful tool to help you feel more at ease in your body and life.
How does EMDR work?
Our brains are naturally wired to process experiences. But when something overwhelms us – such as trauma, loss, or shock – that processing can get ‘stuck’. Memories may remain vivid, intense, and emotionally charged, even long after the event.
EMDR helps the brain resume its natural healing process. By activating both sides of the brain through bilateral stimulation while focusing on a distressing memory, the emotional charge is reduced and new, more helpful associations can form.
Many people describe feeling lighter, calmer, and more grounded after EMDR – even if they’ve been struggling for years.
Is EMDR right for me?
If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or haunted by past experiences, EMDR may be a good fit. It can be especially helpful when traditional talking therapy hasn’t felt quite enough.
At Sawubona Wellness Collective, we will work with you gently and collaboratively. We begin with a thorough assessment and preparation phase, ensuring that you feel safe, resourced, and supported before starting any memory processing.
EMDR at Sawubona Wellness Collective
We offer EMDR in-person and online. Each session is tailored to your unique needs, with warmth, professionalism, and care.
We welcome you exactly as you are – there is no need to have everything figured out. Whether you are seeking support after a specific event or navigating a more complex history, EMDR can be a powerful step forward.