EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
If you’ve been trying to move on from something distressing that happened in the past, but your mind and body still react as if it’s happening now, you’re not alone. This is called re-experiencing and can come in different forms. Many people experience flashbacks, intrusive memories, sudden waves of emotion, body sensations, panic, anxiety, or a persistent sense of being 'on edge'. These can be very understandable responses as a result of experiences which have not been processed. Your nervous system has been working hard to protect you as it still feels under threat. It is as though your alarm system is still on, a bit like a very sensitive smoke detector that goes off when the toaster is on.
EMDR can help you process the experiences that are keeping you stuck, in a way that feels safe, paced and contained.
I have known Romina for 20 years and would have no hesitation in recommending her as a private therapist. In her NHS work I found her competent and skilled with good common sense.
She consistently demonstrated kindness, compassion and humour.
She is trustworthy and hard-working, and genuinely motivated to help people and deliver effective therapy.
Adrian Sellers
I have known Romina for many years, observing her work within the mental health team in the NHS. I have always been deeply moved by her natural ability in identifying the psychological causes for people's suffering, and her warmth and down to earth approach in supporting those people to look at those causes. I have recommended many people to her private practice, knowing that they will all have the benefit of her profound experience.
Carey Sumpter
Romina is an exceptionally skilled and compassionate therapist whose experience really shows in her work. She brings warmth, professionalism, and integrity to everything she does, and creates a safe, thoughtful therapeutic space. Her dedication and genuine care are clear, and she consistently works to a very high standard. I wouldn’t hesitate recommending her to anyone looking for high-quality psychological therapy.
Charlotte U
EMDR for OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Some people experience intrusive distressing thoughts and anxiety and then engage in compulsive behaviours which temporarily reduce anxiety but ultimately keep the unhelpful cycle going. EMDR can be helpful in treating OCD when the symptoms have been caused as a result of traumatic or distressing experiences. We can discuss whether EMDR, CBT strategies or an integrated approach would be the best fit.
EMDR vs. Counselling
People often search for 'counselling' when they are looking for help but EMDR is not simply supportive talking therapy. It is a trauma focused, evidence-based psychological therapy that aims to help the brain and nervous system process distressing experiences, rather than only talking about them. Counselling can still be valuable for some people, it just works in a different way.
Online EMDR therapy across the UK
I offer secure online video sessions via Zoom to adults throughout the UK. Many people find online therapy as effective as face to face and it can make therapy easier to access and fit around life.
WHAT IS EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) was originally developed by Clinical Psychologist Francine Shapiro in 1987 for PTSD, and is now recognised as an effective therapy for a wide range of difficulties linked to traumatic or distressing experiences.
People often come to EMDR because they’re experiencing:
-
intrusive memories, flashbacks or distressing images
-
anxiety, panic, phobias or health anxiety
-
low mood or feeling overwhelmed
-
low self-esteem, shame and self-criticism
-
OCD and intrusive thoughts (including when EMDR is part of a broader plan)
-
grief and loss
-
the impact of bullying, emotional neglect, or difficult early experiences
HOW EMDR WORKS
I often explain this using the idea of two memory “filing cabinets”.
In everyday life, your brain processes experiences and files them away so they feel like the past. But when something is traumatic or overwhelming, the brain can switch into a survival response (fight/flight/freeze). When that happens, the experience may not get processed in the usual way. It can remain “stuck”, and then get triggered in the present by reminders—through emotions, body sensations, thoughts, and images.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (often eye movements or tapping) to help restart the brain’s natural processing system, so the memory can be “date stamped” and stored in a way that feels more distant, like a faded photo rather than something happening right now. You won’t forget what happened, but it can feel less intense and less intrusive, so you have more choice and freedom.
WHAT TO EXPECT
1) Assessment and understanding what’s going on
We build a shared picture of what you’re struggling with, what may have contributed to it, and what is keeping it going now.
2) Preparation and stabilisation (skills first)
Before any reprocessing, I help you develop coping strategies so you feel ready and able to stay grounded. This part matters. It helps EMDR feel safer, more contained, and manageable.
3) Reprocessing at your pace
When you feel ready, we work through specific memories in a planned way. I’ll guide the process, and we’ll keep it within your “window of tolerance” so you can leave sessions feeling able to return to daily life.
4) Review and moving forward
As things settle, we focus on strengthening new learning, building confidence, and supporting you to maintain progress.
CLIENT FEEDBACK
My therapy sessions with Romina have been incredible. I instantly felt at ease during my first session. Romina created a very safe space to open up in. She has provided me with solid techniques that I will continue to use in life.
I will be forever grateful for the help and support Romina gave me during our sessions and cannot recommend her enough. Thanks so much once again.
When I finally agreed to get help with my OCD, I was still very hesitant and whilst I knew I needed help I was very skeptical that anyone would be able to help me, especially during the pandemic. With any form of therapy, you need a therapist that you can trust and open up to. My first consultation with Romina changed my skeptical perspective, and I immediately knew that I would be able to trust and open up to her.
All I can say is that the change I feel within myself, and the changes my family see in me is all testimate to Romina. EMDR is an amazing tool in her arsenal, and that combined with her lovely manner, and ability to get me to open up and make changes have reduced my OCD and anxieties to a manageable level despite the ongoing pandemic.
From start to finish Romina has been fantastic and quite honestly life changing for me. We started with CBT and some EDMR, I was scared at first, but as soon as we began, I realised there was nothing to be worried about. I was able to be completely honest, vulnerable and always felt safe within our sessions. I've learnt so much, not only about myself, but how to help anxiety and cope with other things throughout the rest of my life. From our very first session, I already was seeing positive changes in myself, I really couldn't believe it. My only regret would be not picking up the phone sooner and making my first appointment.
I cannot recommend Romina highly enough. In my time working with her, I have achieved more self growth than I ever could have imagined. Romina always provided me a safe and trusting relationship, sound advice, and excellent tools and skills which both supported and pushed me.
While I'm sure I'm not completely cured, I have learnt from Romina that healing is not a constant. And in leaving her, Romina has ensured that I can feel more than capable than ever to take on whatever life throws at me next. I am very sad to leave her, but her help will last with me my entire life time. And I'm certain she'll go on now to benefit someone else in the same way.
My therapy with Romina has changed my life. I am no longer anxious, which feels amazing. I have been anxious all my life and never thought I would be free from the holds of anxiety.
Romina teaches you to be your own therapist, which gives you confidence and freedom. Romina is very understanding and caring, allowing you to open up. Romina always ensured that you were happy with the session and the plan.
I had both cognitive behavioural therapy and eye movement desensitisation therapy which were brilliant. I really recommend Romina as a therapist.
After a couple of traumatic life events and feeling the need to talk to someone, I was recommended to Romina by a friend. From the outset, Romina was kind, professional and immediately put me at my ease. The online nature of the sessions suited me, as I have a puppy and I could be comfortable at home with him during sessions. In addition, I found the EMDR part of the therapy extremely powerful and Romina's management of these sessions was excellent. I never came away from time with Romina without feeling better able to cope and somewhat lighter within myself. I can highly recommend Romina as being someone who helped me immensely during a very dark period in my life and I am so grateful to have found her. Should I need further help in the future, I would not hesitate in getting back in touch.
During the period of lockdown I suffered terribly with OCD and a number of issues surrounding it. Since then, I recently made contact with Romina who provided me with structured and sensitive therapy delivered in a relaxed and humanistic way. She was able to furnish me with a new set of tools which would allow me to rationalise what was happening to me, whilst at the same time take events, feelings, and emotions, and pick them apart in a logical and positive manner.
My therapy with Romina has undoubtedly changed my life for the better and I am beginning to thrive, not just survive.
Working with Romina was a priceless experience for me. We firstly dealt with my depression and different ways I could process my emotions and different triggering situations. We focused on systems to help me better navigate my life along with mindfulness practices which help to keep me centred and greatly reduce my anxiety levels.
During the process we discovered that actually a lot of the confusion and frustration in life stems from me having ADHD which I had never considered. I have now been diagnosed and understanding the ADHD way of thinking makes it feel much more comfortable to be ME.
I would highly recommend Romina's services.
Romina is a brilliant therapist. I came to her really struggling with anxiety, low mood and low self-esteem following various challenges as a teenager and in more recent years. I found the balance of talking therapy and EMDR in my sessions perfect and Romina is such an empathetic and motivating therapist. Our work together has really changed my life and I feel so grateful to be back to my old self, but a happier and stronger version. Thank you!
EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, was originally developed by Clinical Psychologist Francine Shapiro in 1987 for PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and is now recognised as an effective therapy for a wide range of difficulties linked to traumatic or distressing experiences.
People often come to EMDR because they’re experiencing:
-
intrusive memories, flashbacks or distressing images
-
anxiety, panic, phobias or health anxiety
-
low mood or feeling overwhelmed
-
low self-esteem, shame and self-criticism
-
OCD and intrusive thoughts
-
grief and loss
-
the impact of bullying, emotional neglect, or difficult early experiences
-
I often explain this using the idea of two memory “filing cabinets”.
In everyday life, our brains processes experiences which come into our current memory filing cabinet and then files them away into our long term memory filing cabinet so they feel like the past. When something is traumatic or overwhelming, the brain can switch into our survival response, fight, flight or freeze. When that happens, the experience may not get processed in the usual way as our brain is too busy in the survival response. Therefore, it can remain “stuck” in our current memory filing cabinet. As a result, the memory can be triggered in the present by reminders, through emotions, body sensations, thoughts, and images.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, often eye movements or tapping, to help restart the brain’s natural processing system, so the memory can be 'date stamped' and stored in a way that feels more distant, like a faded photo rather than something happening right now. You won’t forget what happened, but it can feel less intense and less intrusive. You can choose when to think of it instead of it intruding into your mind.
For a more detailed explanation of how EMDR works please read my blog here.
1) Assessment and understanding what’s going on
We build a shared picture of what you're struggling with, what may have contributed to it and what is keeping it going now.
2) Preparation and Stabilisation
Before any reprocessing, I help you develop coping strategies to help you feel more stable. This helps to ensure you feel ready and able to stay grounded. I also make sure you know what to expect when we start reprocessing. We identify which memories might need processing. This part of treatment is very important as it helps the reprocessing feel safer, more contained and manageable.
3) Reprocessing at your pace
When you feel ready, we work through specific memories in a planned way. I'll guide the process and we will keep you within your 'window of tolerance' so you can leave the session feeling able to return to daily life.
4) Review and moving forward
As things settle, we focus on strengthening new learning, building confidence and supporting you to maintain progress.
This varies depending on your needs and goals. Many people need between 12-20 sessions, though it can be more. After your assessment, we can discuss an initial treatment plan and review progress regularly.
Not necessarily. EMDR does not always require you to describe everything in detail. We can work in a way that feels respectful and manageable.
It doesn't have to. Preparation, pacing and containment are key. I work with you to ensure you feel ready before reprocessing begins, and we keep sessions within a tolerable, supported pace.
Sessions take place online via Zoom.
I do not provide a crisis service. If you need urgent support, please contact the Samaritans on 116 123, your GP, or attend A&E.
