Eye Movement Reprocessing & Desensitisation Therapy (EMDR)

Finding Freedom from the Past: Understanding EMDR Therapy

Our Past affects our Present

Sometimes, even when we know a difficult experience is behind us, its emotional impact lingers. Memories of distressing or invalidating events can remain vivid and disruptive — shaping the way we think, feel, and behave in the present, often outside of our awareness.

If you find yourself stuck in patterns of anxiety, self-doubt, or low self-worth — especially when you know those patterns don’t match your reality — it may be that unprocessed memories are still influencing how you see yourself and the world. EMDR therapy offers a way of working directly with these experiences so they no longer hold the same emotional power.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based approach developed to help people process and move on from distressing memories. It doesn’t aim to erase your memories, but rather to reduce their emotional intensity and support your brain in making new, healthier associations.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — typically through eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds — to activate the brain’s natural processing system. This allows previously “stuck” or overwhelming experiences to be reprocessed in a way that’s less distressing and more adaptive.

How Does EMDR Work?

When something overwhelming happens and the brain isn’t able to fully process it at the time, the memory can remain “frozen” in its original emotional and sensory state. These memories may not always be conscious, but they can still affect how you feel and act today — especially when something in your current life triggers them.

EMDR helps you safely access and reprocess these memories, so that they are no longer driving your reactions or reinforcing old, unhelpful beliefs about yourself. Instead of reliving the past, you can start responding more flexibly in the present.

What Can EMDR Help With?

EMDR has been shown to be highly effective in treating:

Trauma and PTSD (single-incident and complex trauma)
Anxiety and panic disorders
Depression and low self-worth
Grief and loss
Phobias and performance anxiety
Childhood experiences of neglect, rejection, or bullying
Shame, guilt, and chronic self-criticism

EMDR and Imposter Syndrome, Perfectionism, and Self-Doubt

EMDR can be particularly helpful if you struggle with imposter syndrome, feeling like a fraud, perfectionism, or persistent self-doubt — especially when these patterns feel rooted, irrational, or hard to shift even when you know the facts don’t support them.

Many of these struggles can be traced back to earlier experiences:

Being criticised, dismissed, or compared in childhood
Experiencing rejection, failure, or humiliation in school or work
Feeling like love or approval had to be earned through achievement or perfection
Internalising beliefs like “I’m not good enough,” “I don’t belong,” or “I have to prove myself”

Even if those moments seem small or long ago, they can leave lasting emotional imprints. When triggered in the present — such as when you’re praised, challenged, or expected to lead — these memories can fuel the sense that you’re a fraud, or that failure is just around the corner.

EMDR helps by targeting and reprocessing these underlying memories, reducing the emotional charge they carry and loosening their grip on your sense of identity. You can begin to see yourself more clearly, not through the lens of past wounds, but from a more grounded and compassionate perspective.

Is EMDR Right for You?

If you’ve tried talking about your struggles but still feel like something deeper is holding you back — EMDR might be worth exploring. It’s a powerful, focused approach to help you move through old experiences and into a more confident, connected, and present way of living.

I’m a trained EMDR therapist and offer a safe, structured space to help you process the past and move forward in line with your values and goals.