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Therapy Styles

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EVIDENCE AND RECOGNITION

EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a proven, evidence-based therapy designed to treat symptoms of trauma and distressing life experiences.

  • When someone goes through trauma, the brain sometimes gets “stuck” in protection mode. Instead of moving the memory into long-term storage, it keeps it in short-term memory, as though the event is still happening now. That’s why people often feel like the past is in the present. This can lead to ongoing anxiety, emotional distress, or difficulties coping with daily life.

    EMDR works through the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. It uses bilateral stimulation, often guided eye movements similar to those that occur naturally during REM sleep, to help the brain safely reprocess traumatic memories. When this happens, the memory is no longer overwhelming, and it can be integrated into a life story in a healthy way. As the emotional intensity fades, people often feel calmer, more grounded, and better able to see their experiences with a sense of balance, strength, and self-compassion.

  • History & Treatment Planning

    The therapist learns about the client’s experiences, challenges, and goals.

    Preparation & Stabilisation

    Clients are supported to develop calming strategies and grounding techniques to feel confident and safe during therapy and in day-to-day life.

    TICES

    The negative belief connected to the memory is established, and the positive belief to replace it with.

    • Target: One specific memory or event is decided on.

    • Image: The mental picture or snapshot of the memory is identified.

    • Cognition: The negative belief connected to the memory is established and the positive belief to replace it with.

    • Emotions: The feelings or emotional response linked to the specific memory.

    • Sensations: Any physical sensations experienced in the body associated with the memory.

    Desensitisation

    Through guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation techniques, memories are reprocessed, easing emotional distress.

    Installation

    The positive belief is strengthened and linked to the memory.

    Body Scan

    Physical sensations connected to the memory are addressed by scanning the body and processing any remaining tension or discomfort.

    Closure

    Grounding techniques may be used to ensure clients feel safe and stable before leaving.

    Re-evaluation

    Progress is reviewed, and the effectiveness of treatment is discussed.

  • In EMDR sessions, the client stays fully in control. The therapist guides them to recall a distressing memory while at the same time focusing on bilateral stimulation. This dual focus helps the brain reprocess the memory safely, releasing painful emotions and shifting unhelpful beliefs formed during the trauma.

  • The goal is not to erase the memory, but to allow it to feel like something that happened in the past, rather than something being relived in the present.

EMDR and Parts work

EMDR and parts work are trauma-focused therapies that facilitate the processing of painful memories and the integration of different aspects of the self.

  • Everyone has different ‘parts’ of themselves. Some parts may feel anxious, while others feel calm. Some may encourage risk-taking, while others strive to keep the person safe. These parts are often referred to as the inner child, inner critic, or other familiar aspects of the self.

    Trauma can cause certain parts to become stuck, holding painful memories or emotions. These parts usually serve protective functions, acting as the mind’s natural safeguard. When experiences become overwhelming, the system may ‘split’ into parts — a process known as dissociation. Dissociation exists on a spectrum, ranging from mild emotional separation to more distinct personality fragmentation, such as in Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).

    Common signs of dissociation may include:

    • Feeling detached from the body or surroundings

    • Feeling as though one is observing oneself from outside the body

    • Losing track of time

    • Experiencing memory gaps or confusion

    • Acting in ways that feel out of character

  • IFS views internal parts like a family, acknowledging each part, fostering compassion, and improving communication between them. Over time, this approach helps parts work together, creating harmony and strengthening the connection to the Core Self.

  • In EMDR therapy, parts are often categorised as:

    • Apparently Normal Parts (ANP): Adult, functional parts managing everyday life

    • Emotional Parts: Younger or vulnerable parts stuck in trauma, sometimes holding memories unknown to the ANP

    The aim of EMDR parts work is to help these parts become aware of one another, reduce internal conflict, and move toward integration. Integration enables different parts to communicate and cooperate. It allows all parts, including those burdened with past pain, to be acknowledged and connected, fostering inner harmony.

    • Facilitates healing from trauma

    • Resolves trauma symptoms

    • Reduces anxiety, stress, and emotional conflicts

    • Builds self-awareness, self-compassion, and emotional regulation

    • Supports all parts in functioning together, strengthening the sense of self

    By bringing awareness to and integrating parts, EMDR supports individuals in transforming fragmented experiences into a cohesive, balanced sense of self, thereby enhancing overall well-being.

CBT | CPT

CBT and CPT are practical, evidence-based therapies that help individuals recognise and modify unhelpful thinking patterns to improve emotional well-being.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)

  • CBT is a structured, evidence-based approach that treats mental health symptoms. It is based on the understanding that thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are interconnected, and that unhelpful patterns in one area can influence the others.

  • Unhelpful thinking patterns can fuel distress. CBT helps clients challenge and replace these patterns with balanced, practical strategies.

    • Identifying unhelpful thought patterns that may contribute to stress, anxiety, low mood, anger, or other challenges.

    • Supporting clients to process traumatic experiences in a safe, structured way, reducing avoidance and distress from traumatic memories.

    • Building emotional regulation skills.

    • Practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques.

    • Practical strategies are developed to manage difficult emotions and behaviours in everyday life.

CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy)

  • CPT is a specialised form of CBT designed for adult PTSD.

  • Trauma can keep people feeling ‘stuck’ in painful beliefs. CPT supports clients in reshaping their story and reclaiming a sense of safety and control.

    • Exploring trauma narratives in a safe, structured way.

    • Replacing “stuck points” with balanced perspectives.

    • Building confidence and resilience.

    • Reducing the daily impact of trauma.