EMDR Therapy in Brighton & Online

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a powerful, research-backed approach that helps people recover from traumatic or emotionally distressing experiences. It works with how the brain stores and processes memories - helping you reframe the past so it no longer overwhelms the present.

Although EMDR is best known for treating PTSD, it has also been shown to be highly effective for anxiety, depression, grief, performance anxiety, and other long-standing emotional blocks.

“It’s not the trauma itself, but how it's held in the brain, that causes ongoing distress. EMDR changes how that trauma is stored so you can finally move forward.”

As a counselling psychologist, I’ve used EMDR extensively in my therapy work - in Brighton and online - with remarkable results.

I am now a registered member of the EMDR International Association

What Is EMDR Therapy?

When we go through a distressing or traumatic event, our brain’s ability to process and store the memory can become disrupted. Instead of filing the experience away as “something that happened in the past,” it stays “live” - causing intense emotional reactions, physical sensations, and negative self-beliefs even years later.

EMDR helps your brain reprocess these stuck memories safely and effectively. The result? The same memory no longer carries the emotional weight it once did.

EMDR therapy is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the NHS, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for the treatment of trauma and PTSD.

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TESTIMONIAL

Before meeting Cleandra, I was at one of the lowest points in my life—overwhelmed by anxiety, exhausted no matter how much I slept, and stripped of the confidence I once had. I had never experienced anxiety before, but it became so debilitating that I eventually had to take sick leave from work.

From our very first session, Cleandra was direct, honest, and deeply compassionate. She took the time to build trust before we began EMDR, which turned out to be truly life-changing. Through EMDR, I was able to release deep pain and trauma I hadn’t even realised I was carrying. For the first time, I felt whole—like the fragmented pieces of myself had finally come together.

What sets Cleandra apart is her unwavering commitment to learning, growing, and refining her skills—something that shines through in every session. She is not only a gifted therapist, but also a life coach, mentor, and grounding, parental presence when you need it most. She tells you what you need to hear—not just what you want to hear—and she delivers it with both care and precision.

Thanks to her guidance, I’ve improved my relationships with others and, most importantly, built a strong, loving relationship with myself. I now feel grounded, confident, and genuinely happy in a way I’m not sure I could have reached without her. I wish everyone could experience her wisdom and compassion—Cleandra has truly transformed my life, and for that, I will be forever grateful.

-MK

How EMDR Works

The core element of EMDR is bilateral stimulation - this might involve guided eye movements, tapping, tones or vibrations from left to right. While using this stimulation, you’ll briefly focus on key aspects of a troubling memory.

This process helps the brain “digest” the memory in a new way, similar to how it naturally processes experiences during REM sleep. Many clients report that after EMDR, the memory feels distant, less charged, or simply no longer upsetting.

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Common Questions About EMDR

Do I have to talk through everything in detail?
No. One of the unique benefits of EMDR is that you don’t have to relive or verbalise every detail of your experience for it to be effective. The healing happens in the brain - not in the retelling.

How many sessions will I need?
Some clients notice improvements after just a few sessions. Others may need longer. It depends on the nature of the issues, how long they’ve been present, and your personal goals. I’ll work with you to find the right pace.

What Can EMDR Help With?

Although it was first developed for trauma, EMDR can support a wide range of emotional and psychological concerns, including:

Childhood trauma and difficult early experiences
Specific fears, phobias and anxiety disorders
Performance anxiety and creative blocks
Complicated grief
Disturbing or “stuck” memories
Deep-seated negative beliefs (e.g. “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not safe”)

What Happens in an EMDR Session?

We’ll begin by identifying a specific memory and any negative beliefs or physical sensations connected to it. Once the foundation is set, we begin the bilateral stimulation while you notice whatever comes up - whether it’s images, feelings, body sensations, or new insights.

After each set, we pause and check in. My role is to guide and support the process - not to lead it. Your brain knows what it needs to heal.

Many clients are surprised at how their internal experience shifts:

Some feel lighter or calmer.
Others notice the memory becomes more distant.
Many develop new, empowering perspectives.

EMDR: Not Just for Healing, but for Growth

While EMDR is incredibly effective for trauma and recovery, it’s also a powerful tool for building confidence, developing healthier self-beliefs, and clearing emotional roadblocks that prevent you from living fully.

If traditional talk therapy hasn’t brought the shift you hoped for - or you’re ready for a new way of working - EMDR might be the next step.

EMDR Therapy in Brighton & Online

Whether you’re dealing with distressing memories, anxiety, or a pattern you can’t seem to shift, EMDR can offer relief and resolution. I offer EMDR therapy in Brighton and Hove as well as online, providing flexibility and comfort no matter where you are.

If you’re curious about whether EMDR could help, I’d love to talk.

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