EMDR Treatment Online
EMDR treatment online is essentially the same as face to face EMDR therapy. Whilst it is nicer to be in the same room when building a psychotherapeutic relationship it is not absolutely essential. I offer EMDR treatment online because some of my clients live outside the UK and others are unable to leave the house due to psychological or mobility difficulties.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy. EMDR is a relatively new type of somatic psychotherapy. Unlike a number of other therapies it does not rely on talking but is based around the concept of rapid eye movement (REM) as the basis for treatment. Rapid Eye Movement is a natural function of the body and occurs when we are in deep sleep. The body uses REM sleep to help it to process daily emotional experiences.
EMDR is the leading evidence based treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It can also help with other mental health difficulties. Examples include: phobias, tinnitus, eating disorders and addiction.
Dr Francine Shapiro, who developed the practice of EMDR therapy in 1989 found that only three 90-minute sessions of EMDR therapy could alleviate symptoms of PTSD in over 77% of the patients that she treated.
EMDR Therapist Matthew Alderton
MA, BSc, PG Dip, PG Dip Psych
I am a counsellor, psychotherapist and EMDR practitioner. I work with clients who have a variety of mental health and somatic difficulties. I use EMDR in an adjunct way as part of psychotherapy and counselling sessions. EMDR is the leading evidence based approach to PTSD and trauma symptoms. It is also an effective tool to help with tinnitus, phobias, OCD, addiction and eating disorders. Many mental health difficulties are a sign of maladaptive coping following historical trauma. If the underlying trauma is reprocessed it can have a positive affect on current symptoms.
I work in an integrative and holistic way using a number of approaches to help with mental health difficulties. I take into account a person's ecology as wells who they are in mind, body and soul. I am approachable and down to earth which can help you feel well held and comfortable working through your phobic difficulty. I look forward to hearing from you.
What Can EMDR Help With?
EMDR can help with a number of different mental health conditions which have trauma as their root cause. I use EMDR in an adjunct way. This means that I usually incorporate it into a counselling or psychotherapy session when it is appropriate and could be helpful. I also use it as a stand alone therapy.
PTSD
EMDR is the leading evidence based treatment for PTSD.
OCD
EMDR can be used as a way to desensitise OCD triggers.
Tinnitus
EMDR can help with trauma associated tinnitus.
Addiction
EMDR can be used to reprocess trauma at the root of an addiction.
Phobias
EMDR can help process trauma at the root of a phobia.
Eating Disorder
EMDR is used to reprocess trauma at the root of an eating disorder.
Trauma & Somatic Therapy Explained
This video explains the journey a person might go on, in relation to experiencing trauma, the nature of trauma and how somatic therapy (including EMDR) has helped them overcome trauma.
Warning: (this video contains scenes some viewers might find upsetting).
Bilateral Movement
EMDR therapy utilises bilateral stimulation. Bilateral stimulation refers to a gentle stimulation of the right and left side of the body alternately. Bilateral stimulation is carried out at different speeds depending on the EMDR therapy phase of treatment.
This can include following a finger, light stick or moving ball. It can also include physical body tapping, auditory beats or bleeps or vibrating buzzers. Or a combination of several forms of billateral stimulation.
EMDR Treatment Online Benefits
PTSD Symptoms Cessation
EMDR therapy can help to reduce PTSD symptoms in relation to intrusions, flashbacks, negative feelings, triggers and calm the nervous system.
Connection
A trauma or multiple traumas might make you feel like disconnecting from other people and withdraw. You may not feel like yourself. EMDR treatment can help you to reconnect with loved ones and feel like you are back to your old self.
Relaxation
PTSD symptoms might include hyper-arousal where you feel like you are on guard, acting aggressively or have difficulty sleeping or concentrating. EMDR therapy can help restore you back to a place of homeostasis.
Related difficulties
The experience of trauma can cause secondary difficulties like anxiety and depression. Once you have processed your trauma it will help to reduce symptoms from associated difficulties. It can also help progress in relation to other therapies which may not have previously worked.
EMDR Treatment Online Platforms We Use
These are the online platforms we use. We will arrange what platform is best for you prior to starting therapy. You will receive full instructions for attending online emdr therapy once we have agreed to meet for a session online.
Zoom
Microsoft Teams
Facetime
Billateral Base
Technology requirements
You will need a few things to access EMDR treatment online. First a quiet confidential space where you will not be disturbed or overheard. You will need a good internet connection. Without this we will not be able to carry out EMDR treatment online. You will also need a computer with a reasonably sized screen placed on a flat surface at eye height. We can use tapping as opposed to eye movements but it limits our options. We will send an invite to you if you need to access any of the platforms outlined above.
Client's Experience Of EMDR Therapy
Therapy Enquiry
If you would like to book therapy with us or have a therapy enquiry please fill in our contact form.