EMDR is recognised by NICE as the most effective treatment for trauma. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing. It is therapeutic procedure that was originated and developed by Dr Francine Shapiro in the United States in 1987. Journey work also available.
EMDR was originally designed to treat traumatic or “dysfunctional” memories and experiences and their psychological consequences, most particularly for use with Post truamatic stress disorder. However EMDR has been increasingly used over the years to treat e.g., grief, phobias, test and performance anxiety, anxiety and panic disorders, pain, sexual dysfunction, and a wide range of experientially based disorders.
Cognitive behavioural therapies, or CBT, are a range of talking therapies based on the theory that thoughts, feelings, what we do and how our body feels are all connected. If we change one of these we can alter the others.
When people feel worried or distressed we often fall into patterns of thinking and responding which can worsen how we feel. CBT works to help us notice and change problematic thinking styles or behaviour patterns so we can feel better. CBT has lots of strategies that can help you in the here and now.
CBT has a good evidence base for a wide range of mental health problems in adults, older adults, children and young people. This research has been carefully reviewed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), who provide independent, evidence-based guidance for the NHS on the most effective ways to treat disease and ill health.
Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis is the term given to the naturally occurring human trance states which have been used to enable positive growth by civilisations across the world for centuries. Through hypnotherapy it is possible to reach the unconscious mind and talk directly with it. This is an extremely effective way of changing behaviour, as often it is only at an unconscious level that we know the reasons for some behaviours. Because the brain has such strong links with the body it is also possible to heal physical problems through hypnosis.
Counselling is aimed at helping people to understand themselves and their problems and enable them to develop their own solutions to problems. Cognitive behaviour therapy also offers the opportunity to learn new coping skills, to become better organised or to seek an answer about a life dilemma.
Mindfulness has developed from the Buddhist philosophy and integrated with CBT to create a programme of meditation and other techniques that enable one to live life in the present, to relax, accept and let go of negative thinking. Mindfulness has been recognised by NICE as the most effective way to deal with stress and prevent depression.