EMDR for Trauma and PTSD

Trauma

 

Sometimes if we have early childhood or adult experiences that traumatise us it can change how we behave and see the world. These events could be anything; domestic violence, sexual assault, general violence, witnessing a traumatic event, traffic accident, bullying, death, illness, birth, hospital experience, drugs, injury. In fact, anything that causes deep distress and can leave you feeling socially disconnected, numb and unable to trust.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or “PTSD”

 PTSD can be described as a response that some people develop following a distressing event and can include flashbacks, anger and irritation, nightmares, sleep difficulties, anxiety, loss of self-esteem, depression and emotional detachment. When the brain works normally we use language to store memories in the pre frontal cortex of the brain so we can store experiences cognitively; using reason. Occasionally the brain finds it hard to process trauma and freezes so that the raw feelings are trapped in the emotional (Limbic) system of the body where it can be easily triggered by the present even though the trauma might have happened a long time ago.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprogramming or  “EMDR”

At Connected Counselling Cardiff EMDR is a treatment we specialise in as it is remarkably effective way of treating PTSD and Trauma.

EMDR is a psychotherapy treatment recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) and World Health Organisation (WHO). The treatment helps you to reprocess traumatic memories in a way that takes away any of the upsetting emotional feelings linked to the event. So by stimulating the left and right side of the brain using eye movements, tapping or auditory stimulus, the trauma eventually get stored away so that we can remember what happened but not experience the disturbing feelings. You will not have to talk about the event just give a sentence that expresses the worst part of the trauma and any negative belief you might have about yourself. We will then take you through the rest of the treatment.

Some people need 2-3 sessions whilst others might need more as we all experience things differently. Prices for EMDR are £70 per session which typically last 1hr 30mins

Please call for a no obligation chat about how EMDR can help you.