At Steps Together, we know how difficult it can feel to move forward when past experiences still hold so much weight. That’s why we integrate Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) into our holistic programmes, offering support across both residential and outpatient care. EMDR therapy helps you process traumatic memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity, making it a recognised approach for trauma therapy and PTSD treatment in the UK.
You don’t have to face overwhelming memories alone. With EMDR, structured sessions use gentle techniques such as guided eye movements or tapping to help the brain reprocess distressing experiences. This approach can ease the impact of trauma, while also fitting alongside other therapies to support long-term recovery.
Whether you’re considering in-person treatment or exploring online EMDR therapy, we provide a safe and supportive environment to begin this journey. Our aim is to help you find relief, regain balance, and take meaningful steps towards healing.
Take a Step Towards Healing
We know that beginning trauma-focused therapy can feel daunting, but taking the first step is often the most important part of recovery. EMDR therapy provides a structured way to support emotional processing, helping us work through distressing memories in a safe and guided manner.
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured form of psychotherapy developed to help people process distressing memories. It is a non-drug therapy that focuses on reducing the emotional impact of trauma and supporting the brain’s natural ability to heal.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR works by helping us reprocess traumatic or upsetting memories in a way that reduces their lasting impact. During sessions, a therapist guides us to recall specific memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or sounds. This process encourages the brain to reorganise how the memory is stored.
The therapy does not require us to go into detail about the trauma. Instead, it allows the memory to be reprocessed so it no longer feels as emotionally overwhelming. Over time, the distress linked to the memory lessens, and healthier thoughts and feelings can take its place.
Research shows that EMDR can produce results more quickly than some traditional psychological treatment options. By targeting how the brain processes unprocessed memories, EMDR supports long-term improvements in symptoms such as flashbacks, anxiety, and negative self-beliefs.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR?
EMDR is most often used for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it also helps with other conditions linked to distressing experiences. People dealing with anxiety, depression, phobias, or grief may benefit when these issues stem from unresolved memories.
It is suitable for both adults and children, provided it is delivered by a trained mental health professional. Many healthcare organisations, including the World Health Organization and national health bodies, recognise it as an effective psychological treatment option.
Those who want a non-drug therapy often find EMDR appealing, as it does not rely on medication or extensive homework between sessions. Instead, it provides a structured, therapist-led approach that focuses on the brain’s natural healing process.
What to Expect from EMDR Sessions
When we begin EMDR therapy, we focus on creating a safe and structured environment where past experiences can be processed without overwhelming distress. Sessions are carefully paced, and support continues beyond the therapy room through different treatment settings and ongoing aftercare options.
What to Expect in a Session
An EMDR session usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. At the start, we work with clients to identify specific memories or themes that need attention. These may include difficult past events, current triggers, or worries about the future.
During the process, the therapist guides the client through sets of eye movements, sounds, or taps while they focus on the chosen memory. This helps the brain reprocess the experience, gradually reducing the intensity of negative emotions and replacing them with more balanced perspectives.
We also take time to strengthen positive beliefs that support long-term recovery. Each session ends with grounding techniques to ensure the client leaves feeling stable. If the memory is not fully processed, we use closure strategies to maintain calm until the next session.
Residential Treatment Programmes
In some cases, EMDR therapy is delivered within residential treatment programmes. This option provides an immersive environment where clients can step away from everyday pressures and focus solely on recovery.
Residential settings offer structured schedules, daily therapeutic activities, and access to a range of mental health treatments. EMDR can be integrated alongside group therapy, holistic practices, and medical support when needed.
The benefit of residential care lies in its intensity and consistency. Clients have access to 24-hour support, which can be especially important when processing deeply distressing events. This setting allows for a concentrated period of healing before transitioning back into daily life.
Aftercare and Ongoing Support
Recovery does not end when EMDR sessions are complete, which is why aftercare is a vital part of the process. We provide ongoing support to help clients maintain progress and apply new coping strategies in everyday life.
Aftercare may include follow-up sessions, peer support groups, or access to wellbeing workshops. We also encourage clients to use grounding and self-care techniques learned during therapy to manage any emotional responses that arise later.
This continued support helps prevent relapse and ensures clients feel connected to professional guidance even after structured therapy ends. It strengthens resilience and provides reassurance that help remains available when needed.
Outpatient Treatment Services
Outpatient treatment services give clients the flexibility to attend EMDR therapy while continuing with daily responsibilities. This setting is well-suited for those who do not require round-the-clock support but still need structured therapeutic input.
We provide regular sessions that fit into weekly routines, allowing clients to address trauma while balancing work or family life. Outpatient care can also integrate other therapies such as talking therapy, skills development, or relapse prevention.
This approach works best for individuals with stable living arrangements and reliable support systems. It ensures continuity of care without the need for residential treatment, while still offering professional guidance and a safe therapeutic environment.
Outpatient Mental Health Support
For those seeking targeted assistance, outpatient mental health support provides access to EMDR therapy as part of a broader care plan. This is particularly valuable for individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress.
We tailor treatment to each person’s needs, ensuring EMDR works alongside other interventions such as medication management, counselling, or lifestyle support. The flexibility of outpatient mental health care means sessions can be scheduled around personal commitments.
This approach helps people maintain stability while addressing underlying trauma. It also encourages gradual progress, with regular opportunities to review treatment goals and adjust the plan as recovery develops.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy
We use EMDR to address the root of distressing memories, helping people manage symptoms linked to trauma, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. This approach focuses on processing difficult experiences so that recovery feels more achievable and long-lasting.
Safety and Effectiveness of EMDR
We place importance on both the safety of therapy and the measurable outcomes it can provide. EMDR has been studied widely, and while it is not risk-free, the evidence shows it can be a reliable option when delivered by a trained professional.
Is EMDR Safe?
When guided by an accredited EMDR therapist, the process is generally considered safe. The structured approach helps ensure that distressing memories are processed in a controlled way. However, it is possible for strong emotions or physical reactions to occur during or after sessions.
These reactions are usually temporary, but they highlight the need for careful preparation and a supportive therapeutic relationship. We recognise that incomplete processing can occasionally leave someone feeling unsettled, which is why ongoing assessment is important.
Safety also depends on the therapist’s expertise. A practitioner with specific EMDR training is better equipped to manage complications and adapt the method to individual needs. This makes choosing a qualified professional essential.
Effectiveness and Success Stories
Research consistently shows that EMDR is effective in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. In some studies, progress has been seen after only a few sessions, with benefits lasting well beyond the end of treatment.
Compared with CBT, EMDR often requires fewer sessions to achieve similar outcomes, although both approaches remain well-supported by evidence. EMDR’s structured focus on reprocessing traumatic memories can make it particularly suitable for trauma-related conditions.
Beyond PTSD, studies suggest EMDR may also help with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, though findings outside trauma are still developing. Many clients report significant relief and improved daily functioning, reinforcing its value as a therapeutic option.
Accessing EMDR at Steps Together
We provide structured pathways that integrate EMDR therapy into counselling, dual diagnosis treatment, and holistic programmes. Each approach is designed to address specific needs while ensuring clients receive consistent support from our team.
Our counselling services create a safe and professional space where EMDR can be delivered effectively. We work closely with clients to explore experiences that continue to cause distress and tailor sessions to individual readiness. This ensures that EMDR is introduced at the right pace, supported by ongoing therapeutic dialogue.
Counselling complements EMDR by preparing clients with coping techniques and grounding strategies. These tools help manage emotions that may surface during reprocessing. By combining structured EMDR phases with counselling support, we strengthen outcomes and reduce the risk of clients feeling overwhelmed.
Many people seeking EMDR also experience challenges with mental health conditions alongside substance use. Our dual diagnosis programme integrates EMDR into a wider care plan that addresses both issues at the same time. This approach prevents clients from having to choose between treating trauma or addiction first.
We assess each case carefully to identify how unresolved trauma may contribute to patterns of substance use. EMDR helps reduce the emotional weight of these memories, making it easier for clients to engage with recovery strategies. At the same time, our clinical team monitors mental health symptoms to ensure stability throughout treatment.
We believe EMDR is most effective when supported by a broader programme of care. Alongside structured sessions, we offer holistic therapies that promote relaxation, self-awareness, and resilience. These include mindfulness practices, creative therapies, and physical wellbeing activities.
Holistic approaches help balance the intensity of EMDR by grounding clients in the present. They also provide alternative ways of processing emotions outside of formal therapy sessions. By integrating these methods, we create a more rounded treatment plan that supports both emotional and physical wellbeing.
This combined model ensures clients feel supported not only during EMDR but also in their day-to-day recovery journey.
Integrating EMDR with Other Therapies
We often find that EMDR works best when combined with other evidence-based approaches. By blending methods, we can address both the root of traumatic memories and the practical skills needed to manage everyday challenges.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and restructuring unhelpful thoughts. EMDR, on the other hand, targets the distressing memories that fuel those patterns.
When we integrate CBT with EMDR, clients benefit from both memory reprocessing and practical coping strategies. For example, CBT tools help challenge distorted thoughts, while EMDR reduces the emotional intensity behind them.
This combined approach is particularly useful for anxiety and phobias. Clients not only learn to think differently but also feel less overwhelmed by past experiences that drive their fears.
Group Therapy Sessions
Group therapy offers a supportive environment where people share experiences and learn from one another. EMDR is usually delivered individually, but group sessions can enhance the process by reinforcing coping strategies and reducing isolation.
We sometimes use group therapy alongside EMDR to build resilience. Clients gain encouragement from peers while continuing their personal trauma work in one-to-one sessions.
This combined model can also reduce therapy sessions cost. By balancing individual EMDR with group-based support, clients access both intensive trauma processing and the social benefits of shared understanding.
Couples Therapy
Couples therapy offers a supportive space for partners to understand one another more deeply and work through challenges together. When EMDR is included, sessions can help address unresolved trauma that may be affecting the relationship, creating healthier ways of connecting and communicating.
In this setting, both partners are guided to explore how past experiences shape current patterns. The therapist provides tools to strengthen trust, improve emotional safety, and develop practical strategies for moving forward as a team.
This focused approach not only supports individual healing but also nurtures the relationship as a whole, helping couples build resilience, reduce conflict, and create lasting positive change.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) teaches skills in emotional regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance. EMDR complements this by addressing unresolved trauma that often underpins emotional instability.
We often use DBT skills to prepare clients for EMDR sessions. Practising grounding and self-soothing techniques ensures they can safely process difficult memories without becoming overwhelmed.
This combination is especially valuable for individuals with borderline personality traits or chronic self-harm behaviours. EMDR helps reduce the intensity of traumatic memories, while DBT provides the structure and skills needed to maintain stability.
Family Therapy Interventions
Family therapy focuses on improving communication, resolving conflict, and strengthening relationships. EMDR addresses the individual’s trauma, but family involvement ensures that healing extends into the wider support system.
We often integrate EMDR with family sessions when trauma affects household dynamics. For example, processing a parent’s traumatic memories may improve their ability to respond calmly to children.
This approach helps families understand how trauma impacts behaviour. It also provides a structured space where relatives can learn supportive responses, making recovery more sustainable within the home environment.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy provides a private and supportive setting where clients can explore their challenges in depth. EMDR is most often delivered in this one-to-one format, enabling therapists to adapt the process to each person’s unique needs and pace.
In these sessions, clients receive focused guidance and personalised strategies to help them process trauma safely and effectively. The individual attention allows for a flexible approach, ensuring that progress is made with care and at a pace that feels manageable.
This focused model helps clients build resilience, gain clarity, and achieve lasting change through a therapy process designed specifically for them.
Begin Your EMDR Journey Today
Starting EMDR therapy can feel like a big step, but it begins with finding the right support. Working with a qualified EMDR therapist or a trusted trauma counsellor near me helps create a safe space where healing can take place.
The first sessions usually focus on building trust, understanding your history, and preparing you for the structured phases of EMDR. This preparation ensures you feel supported and ready before processing any difficult memories.
During therapy, we use techniques such as bilateral stimulation, which may involve eye movements, tapping, or sounds. These methods help the brain reprocess distressing memories so they lose their intensity over time.
If you are considering EMDR, we encourage you to take the first step with us at Steps Together. Reach out today and let us walk alongside you as you begin your journey towards recovery and greater wellbeing.
Frequently Asked Questions about EMDR
We often receive questions about how EMDR works, who it can help, what to expect in sessions, and how to access it through the NHS or privately. Below we address the most practical points, including treatment length, costs, insurance coverage, and possible side effects.
What is EMDR therapy and how does it work?
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, is a structured form of psychotherapy designed to help people process distressing memories. It uses guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while focusing on specific memories.
The approach helps the brain reprocess stored experiences so they no longer trigger the same level of emotional distress. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses less on detailed discussion and more on allowing the brain to resolve unprocessed memories.
Research shows that EMDR is particularly effective for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), though it is also used for anxiety, depression, and phobias. The process is collaborative and paced to ensure safety and stability throughout treatment.
How long does EMDR treatment usually take?
The length of EMDR treatment varies depending on the person’s history and needs. Some people notice improvement within a few sessions, while others require longer-term work.
Sessions typically last 60 to 90 minutes. Many therapists suggest starting with at least three sessions to assess how well EMDR works for the individual.
For complex trauma or multiple distressing experiences, treatment can take several months. The overall plan is always tailored, and EMDR is often delivered as part of a wider therapy programme rather than a stand-alone treatment.
Is EMDR available on the NHS?
Yes, EMDR is available through the NHS, particularly for conditions like PTSD. However, access can vary depending on location and local services. Waiting times for NHS therapy, including EMDR, are often long due to high demand.
In some areas, EMDR is offered within Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services or through secondary mental health teams.
Is EMDR covered by insurance?
Many private health insurance providers in the UK cover EMDR when it is recommended for conditions such as PTSD or trauma-related anxiety. Coverage depends on the policy and the provider’s recognition of EMDR-trained therapists.
We advise checking with your insurer before starting treatment. They may require a referral from a GP or psychiatrist.
Not all policies cover therapy in full, so you may need to pay an excess or contribute towards the cost of sessions. Always confirm the details with both your insurer and the therapist before beginning.
Who is EMDR suitable for?
EMDR is most often recommended for people who have experienced trauma, whether from a single event such as an accident or from ongoing difficulties like childhood neglect or abuse. It is also used for anxiety disorders, complicated grief, and certain phobias.
We usually consider EMDR when symptoms feel “stuck” despite other forms of therapy. People with flashbacks, nightmares, or strong emotional reactions to reminders of past events often benefit.
However, EMDR may not be suitable for everyone. For example, individuals with unstable mental health conditions or those not yet ready to revisit traumatic material may need additional preparation before starting. Suitability is always assessed by a trained therapist.
What can I expect at my first session?
The first session does not usually involve eye movements straight away. Instead, the therapist will explain the process, answer questions, and assess whether EMDR is appropriate.
We focus on building a sense of safety and stability before starting any reprocessing. This may include learning grounding techniques or relaxation strategies.
If EMDR is suitable, the therapist will work with you to identify target memories for treatment. The emphasis is on collaboration, ensuring you feel in control and able to pause the process at any time.
How much does EMDR therapy cost privately in the UK?
Private EMDR sessions in the UK usually range between £60 and £120 per hour, depending on the therapist’s location and level of experience. Some may offer 90-minute sessions at a higher rate.
Costs in London and larger cities are often at the higher end of the scale. In smaller towns or outside major urban areas, fees may be lower.
Some therapists offer reduced rates for students, low-income clients, or block bookings. It is always worth asking about available options when contacting a private practitioner.
Are there any risks or side effects?
EMDR is generally considered safe when delivered by a trained professional. However, because it involves revisiting distressing memories, some people may experience temporary increases in emotional intensity or vivid dreams after sessions.
These effects usually settle within a short period and are part of the processing phase. Therapists provide strategies to help manage any discomfort.
Serious side effects are rare. The most important factor is working with a qualified EMDR practitioner who can pace the therapy appropriately and ensure support is available if difficult feelings arise.