Everything You Need to Know About EMDR Therapy in Surrey

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a psychotherapy approach developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s for treating trauma, particularly Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The idea is that traumatic or emotionally distressing memories sometimes get “stuck” in the brain’s processing system. Though the body and brain have natural ways of dealing with distress (for example during REM sleep), very disturbing experiences can overwhelm these processes. Grigore Counselling & Associates aims to help reprocess these memories so that the emotional intensity, vividness, and the distress they cause become reduced.

How Does EMDR Work — The Process

EMDR typically involves several phases. Here’s a simplified outline of what a client might go through:

1. Assessment & Preparation

2. The therapist and client explore the problem, history, current symptoms, safety, coping skills, support systems, and readiness for processing. The therapist ensures that the client has ways to manage distress (grounding, self-soothing, etc.).

1.  Identifying Target Memories

2. A specific traumatic memory (or memories) is chosen — perhaps one which musters strong negative emotions, beliefs, or physical sensations.

1.  Desensitization / Bilateral Stimulation (BLS)

2. While recalling the traumatic memory, the client engages in bilateral stimulation. This can be eye movements (following therapist’s finger, or a light bar), tapping, or auditory alternation. This helps reduce the trauma’s emotional charge.

1.  Installation / Cognitive Restructuring

2. After the memory is desensitized, the client works on installing new, more adaptive beliefs about themselves (for example replacing “I am powerless” with “I survived / I have strength”).

1.  Body Scan

2. The therapist may guide the client to notice any residual physical tension, discomfort, or bodily sensations after reprocessing, to ensure the trauma is processed not only cognitively and emotionally but somatically.

1.  Closure & Reevaluation

2. Each session ends with stabilization processes so you leave feeling safe. Later sessions revisit past targets or new ones if needed to check progress and address remaining distress.

The number of sessions varies depending on the complexity of the trauma. Some people notice improvements in 8–12 sessions, others (especially with complex or repeated trauma) may need more.

What Can EMDR Treat

EMDR has been used (with research support) for a range of conditions, including but not limited to:

• PTSD / Complex PTSD

•  Anxiety, panic attacks

•  Depression

•  Phobias

•  Stress, sleep issues, grief

•  Self-esteem or belief‐based problems, performance anxiety

EMDR Therapy in Surrey (UK)

If you live in Surrey, UK (the county in South East England), here are some details about accessing EMDR, what you’ll find, and what to expect locally.

Local Providers & Services

• Your Wellbeing (Surbiton area) offers trauma counselling including EMDR, both in-person and remote.

•  Essfour Psychological Services provide EMDR among their evidence-based treatments.

•  Surrey Centre for Counselling uses EMDR alongside somatic processing, breathwork, meditation etc., for trauma‐informed therapy.

•  Surrey Therapy Solutions list EMDR as one of their services to help with trauma, phobias, panic, depression, etc.

•  Evergreen Psychotherapy UK (Reigate & Redhill, Surrey) offers EMDR for adults, adolescents, and children, especially trauma related.

•  The Psychology Clinic in Farnham, Surrey (Dr Anna Kenyon) offers EMDR.

•  Surrey Therapy Practice (Banstead & Online) also offers EMDR services.

Cost & Access

• Some services are private practices, so charges apply. Exact fees vary depending on length of session, therapist’s qualifications, and other factors.

•  Some NHS‐based or NHS‐referral services offer EMDR (e.g. during “Talking Therapies”) for those registered with GPs in Surrey.

•  Private therapists often offer free initial consultations or assessments to see whether EMDR is suitable.

Benefits of Choosing EMDR in Surrey

• Trauma‐focused, evidence‐based: Many providers are accredited, follow NICE guidelines, which means the therapy is held to high standards.

•  Variety of options (in person, online, different therapists) giving flexibility.

•  Comprehensiveness: Many therapists combine EMDR with other trauma‐informed methods (somatic, breathwork, mindfulness) which can enrich healing.

Considerations & What to Expect

• Emotional intensity: Working with trauma can stir up strong feelings, memories, or bodily reactions. Good therapists will ensure safety and pacing.

•  Not everyone is a fit immediately: Some may need preparatory work to build coping skills before EMDR sessions.

•  Session frequency matters: Progress can depend on how often sessions happen, how much support there is outside therapy, how complex the trauma is.

•  Aftercare and integration: EMDR is powerful, but healing includes what happens outside sessions—self‐care, support, applying new beliefs, noticing bodily responses.

How to Choose a Good EMDR Therapist in Surrey

Here are things to check when selecting a therapist:

• Accreditation (EMDR Europe, EMDR Association UK, BACP, etc.)

•  Experience: Do they specialize in trauma, PTSD, or the specific issue you want to address?

•  Mode of therapy: In person vs online, and what format works best for you.

•  Approach: Are they trauma-informed? Do they integrate somatic, mindfulness, or other supports?

•  Costs and logistics: Session length, fees, cancellation policy, what is included.

Conclusion

EMDR is a well‐established, evidence‐based therapy with good potential for helping people in Surrey who are facing trauma, anxiety, depression, phobias, or related challenges. There are a number of competent providers in the area, both private and NHS/low-cost options. If you choose a good therapist, are prepared for the process, and have support and patience, EMDR can significantly reduce symptoms and help you lead a more comfortable, less trauma-driven life.