FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Everything you might want to know before getting in touch.
About EMDR
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR — Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing — is a type of psychotherapy recommended by NICE and used within the NHS. It helps the brain process experiences that are still affecting you, even when they happened a long time ago.
It works differently from most talking therapies: rather than analysing what happened in detail, it helps the brain finish processing something it has got stuck on. Once a memory is fully processed, it can lose its emotional charge — you can remember it without it hitting you in the same way.
Is EMDR evidence-based?
Yes. EMDR is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the treatment of trauma and PTSD. There is a substantial body of research supporting its effectiveness, and it is used within NHS mental health services.
How is EMDR different from CBT or other talking therapies?
Most talking therapies focus on understanding and changing patterns of thinking. EMDR works differently: it can help the brain directly process experiences that are stuck, rather than talking through them in detail or analysing why you think or feel as you do.
This is why EMDR can sometimes help when other approaches haven’t — particularly when insight alone hasn’t been enough to shift how you feel.
Do I have to talk about everything that happened?
No. EMDR involves much less talking about the detail of difficult experiences than many people expect. You don’t need to describe everything in depth, and I will never ask you to talk about something you’re not comfortable with.
Many people find this one of the most reassuring things about EMDR — it can help things shift without requiring you to relive them in words.
What is bilateral stimulation — does EMDR involve hypnosis?
Bilateral stimulation is the side-to-side movement used during EMDR — usually following a hand or a light. It is not hypnosis. You stay fully awake and aware throughout, and you are always in control of the pace and direction of the work.
The movement simply supports the brain’s natural ability to process an experience — in a similar way to the eye movements that happen during REM sleep.
Is EMDR right for me?
What can EMDR help with?
EMDR was originally developed for trauma and PTSD, and is now also used for a much wider range of difficulties. It may be helpful for:
+ Trauma following a specific event — such as an accident, an assault, a frightening medical experience, a difficult birth, or a sudden loss
+ PTSD, intrusive memories, flashbacks or nightmares
+ Anxiety, panic and persistent worry
+ Phobias and long-standing fears that haven’t shifted with other types of talking therapy
+ Low self-worth, shame or a persistent critical inner voice
+ Grief and loss that still feels emotionally live
+ Patterns in relationships, or in yourself, that repeat despite insight and effort
+ Feeling emotionally overwhelmed, shut down or disconnected from yourself
Do I need a diagnosis to access EMDR?
No. You don’t need a diagnosis or a referral. Many people come to EMDR without a formal diagnosis — they simply know that something doesn’t feel right, or that there’s something they haven’t been able to shift on their own.
Do I need to know what has caused my difficulties?
Not always. Some people arrive with a clear sense of what they want help with; others have a general feeling that something is wrong but can’t point to a specific cause. Both are fine — part of the initial consultation is exploring what has brought you here and what might be most useful.
I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help. Could EMDR be different?
Yes. EMDR works differently from most talking therapies, and some people find it helpful precisely because other approaches haven’t been enough. Understanding why you feel the way you do isn’t always enough to change it — EMDR can help with the part that insight alone doesn’t reach.
The free initial consultation is a good opportunity to explore whether EMDR feels like it might be a helpful next step for you specifically.
Is EMDR suitable for adults only?
I work with people aged 16 and over.
Practical questions
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
This varies from person to person, and it’s something we’ll explore together before the work begins. Some people find that a focused piece of work around a specific experience takes relatively few sessions. Others find the work takes longer, particularly where difficulties have built up over time or across many experiences.
EMDR is often quicker than open-ended talking therapy, though I can’t give a precise number in advance. We’ll review regularly and you’ll always have a clear sense of how things are progressing.
How long is each session?
Sessions are either 60 or 90 minutes. We’ll discuss which is more suitable before we start.
Where are sessions held?
I work in person in Brighton and Hove. Online sessions are also available where appropriate — please get in touch if you would like to discuss this.
What are your fees?
Please see the sessions and fees page for full details.
The initial 30-minute consultation is free of charge. There is no pressure to continue afterwards.
About Elaine
Are you a registered EMDR practitioner?
I am a fully qualified EMDR therapist registered with the EMDR Association UK. I am also a registered music psychotherapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and a member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
My background is in NHS mental health services and specialist settings, where I worked with adults living with trauma, anxiety, depression and significant emotional complexity.
What does EMDR Association UK membership mean?
The EMDR Association UK is the professional body for EMDR practitioners in the UK. Membership indicates that I have completed accredited EMDR training and adhere to the association’s professional and ethical standards.
Do you offer a free initial consultation?
Yes. The first step is a free 30-minute consultation — by phone or video, whichever feels more comfortable. It’s a chance to talk about what has brought you here, ask any questions, and get a sense of whether working together feels right. There is no pressure to continue afterwards.
Still have a question?
I’m happy to help
If there’s something you’d like to know that isn’t covered here, please get in touch before you decide whether to book a consultation.