Dialogues

Finding a therapist in 2026

(5 min read)

Looking for a therapist is a daunting process, and whilst you’re browsing the various marketing directories online, most of the therapists will tell you they empathise with the process of finding us. They won’t, however, necessarily tell you how much therapy they themselves have had, what their training entailed exactly and how many client hours they have to date. This is all crucial information, and clients don’t know it’s ok to ask this for one, and secondly, clients can’t be expected to know how crucial these factors are when choosing their therapist.

The trouble is that counselling and psychotherapy is still largely unregulated in the UK and anyone can call themselves a counsellor. What you also might not know, is that once qualified, there are very few paid jobs for therapists and most qualified therapists, newly out of college are forced into private practice with little experience as a therapist and only the support of a few peers and their supervisor. This is just about OK if the therapist has life experience, experience of running their own business in the past and a wide support network of other experienced and qualified therapists to lean on. Most therapists rely on their membership body, in our case- the BACP for support if problems arise, but many under experienced therapists will struggle to know how to deal with issues in their therapy practice when they occur and have little support.

Why I believe therapy practice in the UK is flawed:

Here at Dialogues we think the current state of therapy practice is flawed. We know that trainees and newly qualified therapists are expected to work with clients who are far outside of their competency. We believe that it is unethical to expect trainees and newly qualified therapists to work with complex clients. And we believe that newly qualified therapists need more support when moving from training into clinical practice. We at Dialogues are different. We are raising the bar for placement services, and we are influencing the way trainee therapists are supported as they develop their skills and confidence. We are leading the way in ethical practice for trainees in clinical placement and we are optimistic that with the incoming PCPB categories of competency (AKA SCOPED) all therapists will have to work within their current competency and placement services will have to adhere to this.

What this means for clients is that with the additional clarity provided by PCPB, clients will be able to select a therapist with the training, ongoing CPD and experience that is the best fit for what they want to work on.

Currently a therapist fresh out of college or Uni, with only the basic training and no specialist knowledge is able to charge clients the same per hour rate as a therapist with 20 years’ experience, accredited status and a higher level of qualification. We don’t think that’s fair to clients.

Why we are so different:

Here at Dialogues we agree it is important to make the selection process clearer for clients. We understand that specialist knowledge and experience come at a cost. And we know it is important to offer clients choice. Our trainees have been selected because of their skills and expertise prior to beginning their counselling training. We select therapists with a very specific skill set and natural empathy and curiosity that they extend to their own therapeutic process and clinical practice. Our trainees, newly qualified therapists and professionals are building their experience by working more broadly with clients whilst developing their own style of working. All our therapists are supported internally by senior therapists and externally by supervisors who are all invested in achieving the best outcomes for our clients and our therapists.

A highly experienced therapist triages incoming clients and matches them with the most appropriate therapist and our clients also have a choice and will work with the therapist that is best aligned to work with them for as long as they need.

SO, If you’re looking for a therapist in 2026 here are the top 3 things we think would be good to do:

Shop around. Have an initial conversation with at least 3 therapists so you can get a real sense of what therapy with them will be like. Ask questions. I know this sounds challenging but truly, relationship is everything and you’re making a big investment in yourself.

Here at Dialogues we take the time to talk with you and explore what it is you’d like to work on, then we talk about which of our therapists will be able to best help you on your way.

Questions to ask on first enquiry:

When did you qualify?

How many clients have you worked with/ clinical hours do you have to date?

How often do you have Supervision?

Why did you become a therapist?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, a good therapist will hold boundaries around anything personal (i.e. wont over share!) but they should all be able to answer those questions.

Have an idea of the qualities you are looking for in the therapist: clear, straight talking and boundaried/ warm, nurturing and attuned/ a combination- something else, like specific experience. An experienced therapist will know their own style and the kinds of clients they work best with. They will also be able to talk about their approach and what inspires them.

Negotiate a fee that is affordable to you should the work continue long term and notice how you feel about discussing important subjects such as these with the therapist. Whilst it may not be an easy conversation, it is important to be open when discussing difficult subjects, if the therapist you are speaking with is open to those conversations, then it could be a good start to a healthy therapeutic relationship.

At Dialogues we believe it is the therapeutic relationship that underpins all the therapy work we will do on ourselves regardless of where we are in our therapy journey. This goes for therapists looking for therapy, supervision and mentoring as well. All our therapists are committed to the highest levels of personal development work, and it is because of this that we are able to form robust, effective, supportive therapeutic relationships with clients and help them to achieve the personal changes they are looking for.

If you think we can help you along in your therapy journey, then please get in touch with us today.

talktodialogues@gmail.com

Our Story

(5 minute read)

Much like many other therapists, my own experience of therapy influenced my decision to train to become a therapist and specifically work with relational trauma.

If you have relational trauma, the experience of working with a therapist can give you the opportunity to feel what it’s like to experience a secure attachment to another person. A secure attachment is really important if you want to go forward and have healthy relationships with other people in the future. Therapy can offer a corrective experience and one that teaches you about your potential for positive growth and achievement in all areas of life. It brings hope for the possibility of contentment and joy, because if we can experience the world and the people in it as safe then we can go out into the world and explore and learn about ourselves through our experiences with confidence and resilience. To be with someone who is able to consistently give their time to listen and help you understand yourself can be a very powerful experience. It helps us realise our worth and it enables us to seek relationships with people that remind us of our worth. As opposed to relationships that reinforce our lack of worth or that we are in some way unlovable. As well, a therapeutic relationship can teach us that we can change what isn’t working because we are adults now and we will be ok. We no longer have to over adapt and change ourselves or discount our needs in favour of someone else’s in order to keep hold of the relationship. It is possible to create a life that is worth living.

My therapist came via recommendation more than 20 years ago. They were 40-minutes away and could only see me in the evenings, which wasn’t ideal for my circumstances at the time, but they were a good fit so I had to make it work. I paid for childcare, drove the distance and deposited a carefully decorated little brown envelope in their hand at the end of each 50-minute session. Paying them was a gift to myself that symbolised a greater commitment I was making to myself. As well I felt immense gratitude, this person was willing to share their valuable time, energy and wisdom with me.

That was the beginning of my long and winding, sometimes bumpy, relationship with therapy. Through the offering of the core conditions, their innate wisdom and their human ness, I was able to process my pain. After a time I began to feel an inspiration to use that pain in the form of empathy to grow and develop professionally, realising the extra empathy I gained through my lived experiences could create a greater feeling of purpose in life for me. I now know it’s that extra empathy that allows me to connect with my clients in a way that helps them to feel seen, heard and understood.

Dialogues was born out of a desire to work alongside like-minded therapists who all complement each other, but I also wanted to support trainee therapists in the development of their skills. If trainee therapists feel nurtured, they can learn and grow at their own pace, in a properly and ethically safe environment. We are different to other therapy organisations because we assess our clients fully and carefully before we allocated them to a therapist. This means clients can be assured they are working with the therapist who is best placed to work with them because of experience and skills, and our trainees know they won’t be pushed too fast and too soon out of their comfort zone, building confidence along the way. This ensures safety in the therapeutic work for both the client and the therapist.

Dialogues exists because as human beings our relationship with ourselves is the most important relationship we will ever have and the stories well tell ourselves about the world around us and the people in it have a profound effect on how we live, what we do and what we can achieve in our lives.

Dialogues therapists work at various price points to suit all budgets and we all accept clients on a concession basis because we don’t want finances to be a barrier to accessing support. We work both in person and online and across all time zones so if you’re not in the UK that’s no problem for us. Our therapists offer single session, short term solutions focussed or longer-term work and we are sure we can allocate you to a therapist without much of a wait. Sounds too good to be true doesn’t it, but it isn’t.

Life doesn’t always have to be difficult and there are people out there who are genuine, safe and caring. Our sessions are boundaried, professional and non-judgemental because our therapists know what it’s like to have lived through the curve balls of what life can throw at us and between us all, there isn’t much we haven’t seen or heard and helped someone through.

If you think we may be able to help you, the first step is to send an email:

talktodialogues@gmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you. For more information, visit our website:

Dialogueslife.com

Creating closure for yourself

People come to therapy for all sorts of reasons and I suppose this time of year makes me think about all the folks out there beginning 2026 in a new place, or a place they hadn’t envisaged.

I’ve spoken recently here about the pain of endings and loss and feelings of grief because life has changed. Those feelings are especially hard when we see others around us seemingly living their best lives, but we are going through something that feels very hard. Coping with emotions and beginning a new phase of life, in a new year can feel particularly upsetting and daunting. The year is stretching out before you and maybe you feel the unknown is scary and you’re doubting your ability to move forward.

For anyone who has experienced the heart ache of a breakup, even if they made the decision, knows how hard it can be, to move on with life and re imagine a future let alone recreate one out of the ashes of what’s been before. Whilst the year ahead will undoubtedly be full of opportunities, the unknown can feel scary and uncomfortable, full of uncertainty and we can doubt ourselves.

Endings don’t always come with clarity and full understanding and when people come to me with these sorts of experiences, I often hear them say they need to be given some sort of closure to be able to move on. Whilst I understand this feeling, giving our own personal power away to another person means that person has the power to determine how you feel, what new decisions you make and how you live. If that’s the case, we will always be at the mercy of other people’s moods and whims and we will never truly be living in our own autonomy.

The minute you give someone else the power over you to determine how you feel you’re living a conditional life dependent on needing the approval of others.

Sometimes closure comes in the form of the behaviour that caused the break up in the first place, or your decision to sit with the difficult feelings, truly process them and really do the work for yourself on understanding who you are and what you need.

We can, if we choose, create our own closure which might look like making conscious decisions to change what isn’t working because we owe it to ourselves to live, breathe and exist in the world equal to all others. Closure is acceptance, and reflection on what the experience has shown you about ourselves.

Moving on and creating your own closure is the greatest act of self-love and self-care you can give yourself. Honest reflection isn’t easy and often it’s painful, but the therapy space is somewhere where you can embark on this journey with respect, support and guidance, process what it is that’s causing you difficulty and make different choices going forward.

Message us today if you would like some help, we have a therapist waiting to see you.

talktodialogues@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram:

@Dialogueslife (If you’re a therapist)

@DialoguesTherapy (if you’re a client of ours)

We look forward to seeing you soon!

January 2026.

New beginnings

We have moved! We are very excited to welcome clients to our new therapy space, we are still just as central and as easy to get to as we always have been and if you’re a current client of ours, we want you to feel right at home in our new space so we’ve kept things as similar as possible!

I have been thinking a bit about what it means for us here at Dialogues to embark on a new operating phase and what I’m most pleased about is that we will be able to serve the community with even better and more exceptional therapeutic and wellbeing offerings. We are now able to offer both in person and online sessions with most of our therapists, but be sure to check that out. One of our therapists also offers Walk & Talk therapy so if the great outdoors is your thing, then we can meet with you and offer you space whilst enjoying the fresh air too.

Here at Dialogues we believe excellent mental health care should be available and affordable to everyone who is looking for it and that’s why we offer a range of therapeutic services and an affordable fee scale, with no limitation to the number of sessions you can have and no compromise on what’s going to work for you.

If you’re a client considering finding a therapist, do feel welcome to view our ‘About Us’ page. This page will provide an outline of each therapists’ skill, experience level and their fees. Our therapists operate a sliding scale of fees and offer a limited number of sessions at a reduced cost so please do mention it if you think you’ll qualify for a concession, please note there may be a wait for a concession space, but it is always our intention to not keep you waiting indefinitely on a list.

If you’re a qualified therapist, we will be offering group supervision sessions and CPD trainings and workshops both in person and online. We start in February 2026 with our full day in person workshop on ‘Working with clients who self-harm’- Email for more details and the confirmed date.

If you’re a parent or carer to a young person who is struggling, we will be offering support groups and opportunities to meet with us and other parents with a shared lived experience. Finnd the support you need in others who understand what you’re going through.

Last but not least! If you’re an exceptional trainee and you’re looking for a clinical placement in a private practice organisation that offers structure and nurtures and supports it’s trainee therapists please email Joanna Wood and ask for an application pack. We accept only one new trainee per academic year and should you be successful at interview, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills within a safe and ethical private practice benefitting from monthly group supervision sessions with other therapists of varying levels of experience. After you’ve achieved your qualification, you may be offered the opportunity to stay on with us and graduate to Newly Qualified Status where you will continue to see weekly clients, you will be paid for your work, and you’ll further grow and develop your skills.

For the latest information, view the relevant page on our website, email talktodialogues@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram:

@Dialogueslife (If you’re a therapist)

@DialoguesTherapy (if you’re a client of ours)

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Warmest wishes, Jo

Grief and loss

Sometimes people come to therapy because life has changed in a way that was unexpected, resulting in a feeling of being lost, out of sorts and out of control. Maybe you’re facing a situation and a future you hadn’t envisaged. It’s understandable that this would be challenging.

Maybe the changes you’ve gone through mean that you’re alone- maybe for the first time in a long time, maybe you’re feeling lonely- unsure of what to do with yourself and how to function in your new reality.

You may be experiencing feelings of grief and loss. Those feelings aren’t only limited to the death of a loved one. Bereavement affects all of us at some stage in our lives and whether it’s the loss of a job, a partner, a relationship, a parent, a past version of yourself, a future, your health. It can be helpful to talk about it with someone who will listen and help you find a way through.

Here at Dialogues, we are experts in helping clients through hard times and times of grief and loss, no matter the cause. We understand how scary it can be to have to re-imagine life in new circumstances and we get what it is to mourn something that hasn’t worked out as you thought it would or hoped it might. It’s very natural to have conflicted and complex feelings that make it difficult to know what to do, how to be or who you are anymore.

Allowing yourself to feel your feelings is easier said than done, because sometimes we feel that if we ‘go there’, we might break and become completely overwhelmed, rendering us unable to function. We’ve also often got really good protective defence mechanisms in place, and that can make it a challenge as well but if you can set time aside with someone whose sole purpose is to support you confidentially and with boundaries, it is possible to move through the difficult times whilst processing all the feelings.

If you think you could use some help then please reach out. Boundaries and ethics are at the heart of what we do as therapists here at Dialogues because your emotional safety is what will underpin the therapeutic work we will do together. We are on hand and ready to be alongside you so that you don’t have to struggle through this time alone. Our therapists have experienced some of what life can throw at us and we have been trained to listen to you. We do this work because it’s our vocation and we are also on a journey to know ourselves better. We know what it’s like to feel like life is falling apart. We’ve weathered the storm and we want to show you that you can too, the important thing is that you don’t have to weather the storm on your own.

If you’d like support, whether that’s in person or online, send us an email today.

talktodialogues@gmail.com

Single session therapy

Single session therapy is perfect for this time of year when time is scarce, and stress is high. Let’s face it, the festive period isn’t always a time for peace and love with family members. Maybe you’re wanting tips to manage stress, help with managing emotions or that tricky relationship with a family member or you’re sharing the children with your ex for the first time this year or perhaps facing some time alone over the festive period, we can offer you space, support and guidance. We can help you with the skills to get you through if that’s going to be helpful.

We don’t all have the time to invest in ourselves long term or even for 6 or 12 sessions and in any case, that’s not always what’s needed, especially if it’s a single issue and you’re busy juggling work, life and family. Why not try a 50-minute focussed session that explores what’s going on in the here and now. We can either meet with you in Hebden Bridge or online, to either sit and talk in the comfort of our cosy therapy room or out and about while we walk and talk.

These aren’t taster sessions, these are clear, focussed sessions designed to get to the heart of the issue and have you leaving feeling lighter, clearer and more able to take on the challenge you’re facing.

Why not send us an email and book in today. We are friendly, supportive and ready to listen to you. There is life after the festive season and we can help you through.

talktodialogues@gmail.com

IT’S SELF CARE SEASON- not another blog post about the importance of self care!

Therapists are always talking about the importance of selfcare with their clients. When you start working with us, at some stage, we will probably ask you about how you currently take care of yourself. And we do this because ultimately, the most important relationship you will ever have as an adult, is the one you have with yourself.

If you’ve read this and you’re already rolling your eyes at the thought of ‘selfcare’, I’m sure you’re not alone there.

Sometimes even the thought of selfcare feels too much, some of us aren’t aware of what the term selfcare even is. We feel selfish for taking time out for ourselves or doing nice things ‘just because’. Sometimes selfcare just feels like another thing to add to the TO DO list, something we know we ‘should’ be doing and another thing to feel rubbish about when yet again, there hasn’t been time for it.

In a world where there are so many responsibilities and priorities, just how do we go about taking time for ourselves and what are you actually even supposed to do when you feel like you’re drowning in a sea of competing responsibilities that all feel like the main priority?

Good question!… and as a therapist, a woman and a human being, I’ve asked myself this many times over the years. And at long last, I think I’ve cracked it!

What is self-care NOT about?

It’s not about adding acts of selfcare like bubble baths and Spa Days (although those are nice and they’re helpful too!) to the TO DO list.

So what IS it about?

The short answer is that it’s about changing your priorities and making lists according to what is actually a priority and de prioritising the things that actually are less important. Saying No to the things that you don’t want to do and making time for yourself a non-negotiable. Giving yourself permission to only do what you can and recognising where your limits are is also really important. Some days we have more capacity than other days. What’s important is that you listen to yourself, evaluate your energy levels for that day and make decisions about what is possible, day to day.

The long answer is to learn about yourself and understand the reasons why you are drawn to do the things you are drawn to. What do you get out of doing those things? What do those things really mean to you?

Then it’s about being really honest with yourself and really evaluating what works for you and what doesn’t. Maybe it used to work or you and no longer does. Change is important and necessary. And appreciating that change is hard for most of us, it’s about working towards feeling more comfortable with making necessary changes and challenging the feelings associated with making those changes. From there, it’s possible to work on the parts of ones-self that holds the belief that drives the behaviour and what, if anything, you would like to be different. That’s where seeing a therapist can help.

Therapy involves forming a unique relationship with a consistent, respectful, non-judgemental human being. One that has no agenda, one that will listen to you in order to understand you, respect your thoughts and feelings and one that will prioritise what you want and need. Most people at some point in their lives find it very helpful to speak to someone they don’t know, confidentially, about their lives with a view to helping them through a tough time, a difficult situation or a change. It’s the most un-selfish thing you can do for yourself, because when we choose to work on ourselves, everyone in our life benefits.

Here are 3 things you can do today to make your load feel lighter:

Give yourself permission to stop and have a mindful moment to yourself, no distractions.
Say ‘NO’ just for once, to that thing you don’t really want to do but feel you should.
Advocate for yourself and tell someone when they’ve crossed a boundary or hurt your feelings. One of the kindest things you can do for yourself is to advocate for yourself.

And finally:

Start prioritising yourself and doing things because you care about yourself. Act out of a place of love as opposed to a place of fear. For example, eat the apple because you care about nourishing your body rather than because your jeans feel a little tighter today.

If none of those options feels manageable for you today, maybe you could reflect on why and maybe it would be helpful to reach out to us for an initial, no obligation chat on the phone.

talktodialogues@gmail.com

Wintering

TRIGGER WARNING contains subjects such as low mood and depression

As the evenings draw in, maybe you’re looking forward to early nights, saying ‘no’ more frequently to social ‘do’s’ and cosying up and enjoying a hot drink in front of the fire.

Or maybe you’re dreading the winter months because past winters have represented a time of loss, loneliness or sadness and you’re expecting this winter to feel the same. Maybe you’re already doing your best to fight difficult feelings, you’re trying to stay buoyant and positive under an impending dark cloud of pressure that’s looming.

The autumn and winter months tend to bring a period of reflection for many of us and sometimes with reflection come painful feelings, or maybe numbness or emptiness. Painful feelings or the absence of any feelings can be really challenging and worrying, especially if it continues for a longer time than is usual or manageable. If it’s helpful, we can offer you some space to actively reflect with a view to processing the challenging things that are coming up for you. As opposed to ruminating and going over and over the same things and getting stuck.

Some people find it very helpful to have the space to reflect and someone with them with the skills to help them productively process and consider, in a balanced way, what’s happened or happening. We can also help you figure out whether there’s anything in your life you’d like to change for the better. Or how you can re establish a sense of safety in your life.

Many of us place emotions into two categories and label them ‘positive’ and ‘negative’. Thoughts of past things that haven’t worked out, the lack of light around at this time of year and the colder weather can all contribute to the build-up of those ‘negative’ feelings. Especially if we don’t feel we can, or we don’t want to talk to anyone close to us, or if there isn’t anyone we can talk to.

Feelings like anxiety, sadness and hopelessness are often feelings we label as negative, and there’s no doubt about it, they can be unpleasant and difficult to feel. Especially If they feel a little ‘closer to the surface’ and harder to suppress than they have been before.

Sometimes we might even notice that the coping strategies we usually rely on to help us suppress difficult feelings are becoming less reliable. Perhaps that glass of wine in the evening has turned into two or perhaps a bottle, and one evening a week has turned into more than one and maybe now that isn’t working anymore. Maybe you’ve noticed yourself doom scrolling more and you’re noticing yourself beginning to wonder whether there’s any point in anything anymore.

Here at Dialogues, we don’t think any emotions are negative. They are all welcome. Even the big ‘scary’ ones that no body likes to speak of because they make us feel like we must be becoming a ‘negative person’, as though we are ‘whining’ or we’re ungrateful for all the other good things in life. And who wants to be that person? Especially when ‘other people have it so much worse’.

The thing is, we are all allowed to have the full range of feelings and when we make our lives conditional to only experiencing the ones we believe to be positive or pleasant for those around us and fight the more difficult ones, that’s when the feelings we are trying to suppress start running the show. What I mean when I say that is that all the suppressed feelings don’t go away just because we try and avoid them. Instead they quietly grow and fester and as time goes by it takes more and more energy to keep those feelings suppressed. The bigger those feelings get, the greater the need to suppress the emotion and the more energy it takes and the greater the feeling of fear or anxiety that manifests on the surface.

That makes daily life really tough to get through and It only takes a minor change in circumstances to tip the balance.

Please don’t struggle on alone. The thought of confronting difficult feelings is always worse than the reality. Most people at some point in their lives feel the need to reach out for additional support and when we do, everyone in our life benefits, so it’s the least selfish thing you can ever do for yourself.

If you have something that’s going on, or something that’s happened in the past that keeps coming to mind. And if you feel like you’re a bit stuck, we would like to help.

The first step would be to send an email and book in for a no obligation short conversation on the phone where we can talk about how we might work together.

More about EMDR

I have been using EMDR more and more and with great success in my clinical practice lately so I thought it might be helpful to say a little more about what it is and what’s involved.

EMDR is a practice that is completely different to any other therapy. It involves stimulating the part of the brain, via eye movements to actively process trauma in the form of memories, either visual or somatic so that when that memory is recalled again in the future, it doesn’t evoke the same level of distress. It is not hypnotherapy and you remain in control at all times.

Which conditions can be treated with EMDR?

NICE guidelines state that EMDR is the Gold Standard treatment for symptoms of PTSD. However, in private practice therapists are using EMDR with great success for a range of traumatic experiences and presenting symptoms including:

Anxiety, Addictions, Complicated grief, Fear, Phobias, Panic attacks, Performance anxiety, Physical pain, Sleep problems, Stress and Self esteem

Big T traumas such as assault, an accident or other life changing event that involves direct threat to safety or survival.

Little t traumas such as the cumulative effects of smaller persistent negative experiences.

How does it work?

The mind can often heal itself naturally in the same way the body does. Much of this natural healing happens by a process called Adaptive Information processing or AIP. Our brain processes naturally when we enter REM sleep. The brain naturally uses AIP to cope with stressors (trauma).

Francine Shapiro developed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) in 1987. She utilised the brain’s natural ability to process trauma to successfully treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and since then EMDR has been used to effectively treat a wide range of other problems as well.

Why do I like EMDR?

Since experiencing first hand the positive effects of EMDR I decided to train once I had achieved the correct level of qualification and experience to be accepted onto a course Accredited by the EMDR Association. EMDR is an advanced psychotherapy and must only be conducted by an appropriately trained therapist, you can find more information here: https://emdrassociation.org.uk/https://emdrassociation.org.uk/

Therapists can identify and go straight to the root cause of the trauma if it’s appropriate to do so.
Very cost-effective therapy because we can do a great deal of work in far fewer sessions.
Because trauma is held in a different part of the brain and within the physical body and we are working with the body to heal itself.
EMDR doesn’t involve talking about the trauma.
It’s possible to work on physical symptoms as well as emotional symptoms.
When traumatic memories are no longer distressing it can be life changing for clients.

What can I expect when coming for an EMDR session?

Prior to any sessions taking place, we will have spoken on the telephone, and you’ll have had an opportunity to ask any questions and I’ll have put your mind at rest if you’ve had any concerns. You will have plenty of time if you’d like it to think over whether EMDR is for you. It isn’t for everyone and it’s always a good idea to speak with a few therapists and find one that you feel most comfortable with.

EMDR sessions are generally held in confidence in person in my office in Hebden Bridge. They can also be held over video call providing you have a space where you can speak freely and confidentially and you won’t be disturbed, and your WIFI connection can support a 60-minute video call. Initially I spend a few sessions building the therapeutic relationship with clients where I’ll be asking questions to understand what life has been like for you and I’ll note a full history, which is essential for planning our work together. From there I can determine the best course of action. Before beginning any processing work, we decide together the key experiences to target. Safety is key so I’ll ensure you feel well prepared before we begin. We might even do a practice run through so that you can get a feel for what’s involved in the processing stage, so you’ll feel as comfortable as possible when it comes to processing your target memory. It is my aim throughout to support you in processing the memory of whatever it is that’s causing you distress so that that memory no longer evokes emotional pain.

EMDR is a very safe therapy, and safety is at the heart of everything we will do. You will be able to stop the process at any time, and you remain in control.

Here’s a word from a recent client who successfully used EMDR to pass Module 2 of their On-Road Motorcycle Test having previously not passed on 3 occasions:

“Hi Jo! I did it!!! I passed with no rider faults!!!! I felt calm and confident right up until I got off and was waiting to find out if I’d passed!! Thank you sooooo much! I couldn’t have done it without you!!!!” D.

It was such a pleasure to support D with this exciting start to a new chapter in their life.

If you would like to have a chat with me on the phone about EMDR or any other aspect of the therapy I provide I would welcome your email:

counsellingwithjowood@gmail.com or a message via the contact page

EMDR- could it help me?

The mind can and often does heal itself naturally in the same way the body does. Much of this natural healing happens by a process called Adaptive Information Processing or AIP. The brain processes naturally when we enter REM sleep. The brain naturally uses AIP to cope with stressors or in other words traumas.

Francine Shapiro developed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) in 1987. She utilised the brain’s natural ability to process trauma in order to successfully treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and since then EMDR has been used to effectively treat a wide range of other problems such as:

Anxiety and Panic Attacks, Depression, Stress, Phobias, OCD, Sleep Problems, Complicated Grief, Addictions, Physical pain, Self-esteem and performance anxiety

How does it work?

View this 2 minute video for a demo of how it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKrfH43srg8

Most of the time the body manages new information and experiences without you being aware of it. When something out of the ordinary occurs and the event that is experienced is overwhelming, it can become a trauma. Trauma can occur as a result of a one-off incident like a car accident or it can occur as a result of being repeatedly exposed to distressing incidences. Trauma occurs when our natural ability to cope has become overloaded. This overloading can result in the disturbing experience(s) remaining frozen or ‘stuck’ and therefore unprocessed. Unprocessed memories and feelings are stored in the Limbic system of the brain in a raw emotional form.

The Limbic system maintains traumatic memories in an isolated memory network that is associated with emotions and physical sensations. This system is disconnected from the brain’s cortex which is where we use language to store memories. The Limbic system’s memories can be triggered when we experience events similar to the original difficult experience(s). Often the memory itself is long forgotten but the painful feelings that we associate with anxiety, panic, anger or despair are triggered in the present. Our ability to live in the present and learn from new experiences can therefore become inhibited.

EMDR helps create connections between the brain’s memory networks which enables the brain to process the traumatic memory in its’ own natural way.

What is an EMDR session with me like?

Most clients feel anxious which is entirely understandable. It’s worth remembering that EMDR wont make your symptoms worse. You’ve already lived through the event and are coping with the ‘fall out’ of the emotions.

After I’ve asked you a few questions and completed a couple of questionnaires, I’ll ask specific questions about a ‘target’ memory that we will have previously decided to process.

Eye movements similar to those during REM sleep (left to right eye movements) will be recreated simply by asking you to watch the therapist’s finger moving back and forth across your field of vision. If eye movements feel uncomfortable there are a couple of other techniques we can try. The eye movements will last for a short while and I’ll pause so you can rest your eyes and notice what you’ve experienced.

Experiences during the eye movements may include changes in thoughts, images and feelings. With repeated sets of eye movements, the held memory/sensation tends to change in such a way that it loses its intensity and becomes a neutral memory and feels less emotionally painful. Other associated memories may also heal at the same time.

This linking of memories can lead to a rapid improvement in many aspects of life.

Who can benefit from EMDR?

EMDR can accelerate healing by resolving the impact of past traumas and therefore allows us to be more present and live more fully. There’s a therapy out there for everyone and EMDR won’t be a good fit for everyone. The process is rapid and any disturbing experiences, if they happen at all, last for a comparatively short space of time. Nevertheless, you will need to be prepared to feel difficult feelings and thoughts which do sometimes occur. You may also feel more tired than usual after a session.

How long is a course of EMDR therapy?

EMDR can be part of a longer-term course of psychotherapy or a brief course of treatment. Sessions last either 60 minutes (£60) or 90 minutes (£90). Because EMDR is a rapid therapy we can achieve results much faster than we do with talking therapies.

Please do remember:

During EMDR you remain in control, fully alert and wide awake. It is not a form of Hypnosis. You can stop at any time. Throughout the session I will support your own self-healing and I will intervene as little as possible. Most people experience EMDR as being a natural and empowering therapy.

Evidence:

EMDR is an innovative clinical treatment which has successfully helped over a million individuals. EMDR is the most thoroughly researched method used in the treatment of trauma and it is recommended by NICE and WHO as an effective treatment for PTSD.

https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/recent-research-about-emdr/

If you have any questions, please feel welcome to ask.