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EMDR Therapy

EMDR Therapy Phases

Phase

Activity

1

Phase

History & Planning

Activity

Discuss your past and develop a treatment plan

2

Phase

Preparation

Activity

Learn how EMDR works and new grounding & self-regulation skills to assist when experiencing overwhelm

3

Phase

Assessment

Activity

Identify event to reprocess along with associated images, beliefs, feelings, & sensations, and your level of distress

4

Phase

Desensitization

Activity

Sets of bilateral stimulation (e.g. eye movements, tapping) are introduced to reprocess your distressing event

5

Phase

Installation

Activity

Your new positive belief is strengthened through sets of bilateral stimulation

6

Phase

Body Scan

Activity

Hold in mind the target event and your positive belief while scanning your body from head to toe

7

Phase

Closure

Activity

Return to a state of calm in the present moment through guided relaxation skills. Debriefing provided.

8

Phase

Re-evaluation

Activity

Discuss recently processed memories and any future targets. Directions for continued treatment are determined

“Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect of mental health”

Bessel van der Kolk

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is an evidence-based and highly effective treatment for distressing memories and associated trauma-related conditions such as anxiety and depression. It follows a structured eight-phase protocol and has been endorsed and recommended by the World Health Organisation as the preferred treatment for PTSD.

EMDR harnesses the body’s own natural healing mechanism by mimicking what occurs during the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase of sleep, when our eyes flicker left and right. This is achieved using Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) such as repetitive left to right eye movements, tapping or sounds.

During EMDR, when a memory is reprocessed using BLS, it effectively ‘overloads’ the working memory. As a result, three key changes often occur:

  • The memory feels more distant or less vivid
  • Emotional distress significantly decreases
  • More adaptive/positive beliefs emerge

Over time, new neural pathways develop between the emotional and logical areas of the brain. This can lead to more positive and constructive thoughts, feelings and behaviours. These changes tend to be long-lasting, as EMDR targets and resolves core issues rather than simply managing symptoms.

As EMDR addresses painful memories and emotions, clients can pause the process at any time if requiring a break. Unlike hypnosis, in EMDR the client is always awake and in control during sessions.

EMDR is an integrative therapy whose effectiveness is enhanced as appropriate by elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, as well as self-compassion and mindfulness approaches.

The duration of standard EMDR Therapy varies depending on the client’s individual experiences and needs. Some distressing memories may resolve in a few sessions, while more complex issues may take several weeks or months to fully process. When directed at discreet issues, in particular PTSD resulting from single-event trauma, a targeted approach to EMDR Therapy known as EMDR Intensives can deliver effective results in a period as short as 1 to 2 weeks.

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

EMDR therapy uses Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) which activates the brain’s natural healing mechanism. This is a similar process to what occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when the eyes flicker left and right as you dream.

When you reprocess a memory using BLS, it ‘overloads’ your working memory. As a result, 3 things usually happen:

  • The memory becomes more distant
  • Emotional distress reduces
  • More positive beliefs emerge

Over time, as new neural pathways are formed between the emotional and logical parts of the brain, more positive ways of thinking and behaving are likely to develop. Changes are lasting as you are addressing core issues on a deep level, rather than merely managing your symptoms.

EMDR Therapy can take different lengths of time, depending on your individual circumstances. Some memories resolve extremely quickly (one or two sessions), sometimes it takes several weeks or months.

If your treatment approach is EMDR, while this will inevitably deal with painful emotions and memories, you will always be awake and in control during an EMDR session and can say ‘stop’ if you feel overwhelmed and need to pause the process.

EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy uses Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) which activates the brain’s natural healing mechanism. This is a similar process to what occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when the eyes flicker left and right as you dream.

When you reprocess a memory using BLS, it ‘overloads’ your working memory. As a result, 3 things usually happen:

  • The memory becomes more distant
  • Emotional distress reduces
  • More positive beliefs emerge

Over time, as new neural pathways are formed between the emotional and logical parts of the brain, more positive ways of thinking and behaving are likely to develop. Changes are lasting as you are addressing core issues on a deep level, rather than merely managing your symptoms.

EMDR Therapy can take different lengths of time, depending on your individual circumstances. Some memories resolve extremely quickly (one or two sessions), sometimes it takes several weeks or months.

If your treatment approach is EMDR, while this will inevitably deal with painful emotions and memories, you will always be awake and in control during an EMDR session and can say ‘stop’ if you feel overwhelmed and need to pause the process.

What are EMDR Intensives?

An emerging form of EMDR Therapy known as EMDR Intensives condenses treatment into a shorter timeframe. Instead of standard 60 or 90-minute weekly EMDR Therapy sessions, treatment sessions are 120 minutes and scheduled closer together – generally three sessions per week, for one or two weeks depending on the presenting concern, with an initial assessment.

While conventional EMDR Therapy allows for some checking in with daily challenges around the EMDR reprocessing, EMDR Intensives focus exclusively on moving through the eight phases of the EMDR treatment protocol in relation to the presenting issue, accelerating relief from trauma symptoms. Clients for whom the traditional cadence of weekly sessions doesn’t work may prefer this streamlined and effective mode of delivery.

This is a targeted approach with an evidence base for highly effective results when directed at discreet issues, in particular PTSD resulting from single-event trauma. Please note that some complex trauma may not be suitable for processing with EMDR Intensives.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

EMDR uses Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) — such as side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or sounds — which activates the brain’s natural healing mechanism. This mimics what happens during the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase of your sleep, when your eyes flicker left and right.

During EMDR, when a memory is reprocessed using BLS, it effectively ‘overloads’ your working memory. As a result, three key changes often occur:

  • The memory feels more distant or less vivid
  • Emotional distress significantly decreases
  • More adaptive or positive beliefs start to emerge

Over time, new neural pathways develop between the emotional and logical areas of the brain. This can lead to more positive and constructive thoughts, feelings and behaviours. These changes tend to be long-lasting, as EMDR targets and resolves core issues rather than simply managing symptoms.

EMDR Therapy will take different lengths of time depending on your individual circumstances. Some memories resolve in a few sessions, sometimes EMDR takes several weeks or months.

As EMDR addresses painful memories and emotions, you can say ‘stop’ if you feel overwhelmed and need to pause the process at any time. You are always awake and in control during your sessions.

What is a Professional Voice User?

Professional voice users are individuals who rely on their voice as a primary tool for their occupation. They often need to maintain a high level of vocal performance and health to perform their jobs effectively. Categories and examples of professional voice users include:

  1. Performers:
  • Singers: vocalists who perform in various musical genres including opera, classical, pop, rock, jazz, country, and folk, balancing the demands of conveying emotion while maintaining technical mastery.
  • Stage, Screen and Voice Actors: artists who use their voices to portray characters, convey emotions, and deliver lines with nuance.
  1. Public Speakers:
  • Motivational Speakers: individuals who give speeches to inspire or motivate audiences.
  • Government and other Corporate Representatives: individuals who need to communicate to large audiences in a clear and impactful way often under pressure.
  1. Broadcasters:
  • Radio Hosts and DJs: professionals who speak on air for long periods, engaging with listeners and presenting content.
  • News Anchors and Reporters: journalists who deliver news reports on television or radio.
  1. Educators:
  • Teachers and Lecturers: individuals who communicate with students, often in large groups, requiring clear and sustained vocal projection.
  1. Healthcare Professionals:
  • Doctors, Nurses and Therapists: medical and health professionals who need to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and colleagues.
  1. Legal Professionals:
  • Judges, Barristers and Courtroom Lawyers: individuals who rely on their voice to advocate for their clients, convey legal arguments, and deliver rulings to support legal proceedings.
  1. Sales & Customer Service Representatives:
  • Individuals who spend significant time on the phone and in person assisting customers, requiring clear and friendly vocal communication.

Overidentification with the voice

Rosen and Sataloff (1997) assert that for all of us, self-esteem is what we believe ourselves to be, paired with the contribution we believe we make. For all who invest at the highest level in their art or career, their ‘self’ may be tied to their instrument or professional identity. However, unlike other musicians for whom artistry is expressed in an interplay between the instrument and the player, singers’ voice ‘is in’ therefore ‘is the self’ (in the words of Rilke, “to sing is to be”).

In summary, while the voice is a distinct aspect of identity for everyone, for singers and professional voice users, identification with their voice is intensified, making their psychological experience unique, to the extent that there may be no divide between ‘what I do’ and ‘who I am’.

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