EMDR Therapy in Brighton & Hove
I offer EMDR therapy for adults in Brighton & Hove and online, for experiences that still feel present long after they happened, including trauma, sexual assault and sudden or traumatic losses.
What is EMDR therapy?
Sometimes you know, logically, that something is in the past, but your body and emotions haven't caught up. A memory can still feel close, or you react in ways that seem out of proportion and wonder what is wrong with you or why this is happening.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a structured therapy that uses guided bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping or sound) to help the brain reprocess these memories so they lose their intensity. As an evidence based form of psychotherapy it is recommended by NICE and the World Health Organization for PTSD.
Why can the past still feel present?
Most of the time, we process difficult experiences naturally and they fade. But when something was overwhelming, or when no one recognised what you were going through, it can stay unprocessed. It may then show up as anxiety, broken sleep, sudden tears or a reaction that feels bigger than the moment. That isn't a flaw in you. It's a mind still holding something that never had the chance to settle.
What can EMDR help with?
EMDR is used for trauma and PTSD, including sexual assault, accidents, phobias and medical traumas such as birth trauma or IVF.
It can also help when a loss or ending is hard to process because of how it happened, or because the memory of it keeps replaying. EMDR can't take grief away, and it isn't meant to. What it can help with is the part that gets stuck, such as the images or moments that still feel raw or overwhelming, so that grieving can happen.
It can also help with experiences that other people may not have recognised or taken seriously, but that have stayed with you.
Is EMDR right for you?
You may have been told, or told yourself, that you should be "over this" by now. If it's still with you, then it matters, however much time has passed and whatever others expect of you. Whether EMDR is the right approach for you is something we decide together in our first sessions, before any reprocessing begins.
What to expect from EMDR therapy
Starting EMDR doesn't mean going straight into the hardest part. It works in stages, and we will set the pace together.
1. Getting to know you. We talk about what's brought you here and what you've been carrying. I explain how EMDR works, so there are no surprises.
2. Preparing. We build ways to steady yourself, so you feel safe and resourced before any reprocessing. We only move on when you feel ready.
3. Reprocessing. While you briefly focus on a memory, I guide eye movements, tapping or sound, and your brain does the processing. You don't need to tell me every detail of what happened.
4. Settling. Each session ends with grounding, so you leave feeling steady, and we check in on how things have felt between sessions.
How many sessions will I need?
This is hard to say as it depends on what you're working through. However I can give you an honest estimate once I've got to know your history.
A single distressing event often takes around 6 to 12 weekly sessions, roughly 2 to 3 months, including preparation.
Several difficult experiences, or things that built up over time, commonly take around 6 months, sometimes longer.
Longer-standing or more complex difficulties can take longer. We'd talk through together whether EMDR is the right approach and how to pace it.
Preparation can take a few sessions on its own, and for some people it's the longest part. That's not a sign anything is going wrong. We'll review progress regularly, and you can pause or stop whenever you need to.
My training and experience
I have trained with EMDR Nexus a EMDR Europe accredited training provider. I have also completed advanced practitioner training in trauma and worked with charities providing support for survivors of sexual assault and women experiencing post-natal depression. I am an accredited member of the BACP (MBACP Accred).
Questions
Is EMDR evidence-based?
For PTSD, yes. NICE and the World Health Organization both recommend it. I'll always be honest about what the evidence does and doesn't support for what you're facing.
Do I have to talk about everything that happened?
No. You don't need to go through every detail for EMDR to work.
Should I choose 60 or 90 minutes?
We can explore this in the initial session depending on what feels right for your circumstances. Both lengths work well, and the right choice depends on what suits you and your circumstances. Sixty minutes is a good fit for many people, including during the early preparation stage and for ongoing reprocessing. Ninety minutes gives more room within a single session, which some people prefer when working with deeper or more complex material.
Can EMDR be done online?
Yes. I offer EMDR in person in Hove and online.
More questions? See my FAQs
Fees
Introductory Call – 15 mins
£-This option is free of charge.
A free 15-minute introductory call to explore your needs, ask questions, and see if we're a good fit for working together — with no obligation to book further sessions. This is one call for you both, or just one of you if you prefer at this stage.
EMDR Weekly Sessions - 60 mins / 90 min
£70 / £100
EMDR sessions are longer than talking therapy sessions and are priced by session length. Sessions are weekly, at the same time each week, in person in Hove or online. Payment is required at least 48 hours in advance.
Cancellation and rescheduling
Please give at least 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule, otherwise the full fee is payable. There is no charge for sessions I cancel.
Using health insurance for counselling
I work with clients using AXA Health, Vitality, and Aviva health insurance policies that include mental health cover. Please check with your Insurer if EMDR therapy is covered.
Further information: Mind: about EMDR | NICE: PTSD information for the public
