EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that helps people process and heal from traumatic memories.

It originates from Sigmund Freud’s theories at the start of the century in which he identifies the id, ego and super-ego. Briefly, the id is thought to be our unconscious primal drives (including sexual and aggressive drives) which are governed by the ego which interacts between our realities and the id. It is at this stage that ‘defence mechanisms’ may be developed in response to these unconscious/conscious experiences. The super-ego is a further part of self that operates to control the id drives by methods such as guilt, shame (Messer and Warren 1995).

Using principles of psychoanalysis, the therapy identifies processes both conscious and unconscious that may be operating to maintain problems. The theory suggests that difficulties have their foundation in early childhood experiences that later have resonance with present-day interpersonal problems. The relationship between therapist and client helps to identify and work through processes at work by the use of methods such as interpreting transference. The therapy aims to help the individual explore unresolved conflicts that may be at the heart of dysfunctional relations with self and/or others.

Course length

Therapy sessions are 50 – 60 minutes long on a weekly basis for 20-25 sessions in total.