As a therapist, I often have the privilege of witnessing incredible resilience. I sit with people as they navigate some of the most challenging experiences imaginable, and I’m constantly amazed by the capacity for healing. One of the most challenging areas I work in is trauma, and I’ve found that a combination of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and Person-Centred Therapy can be particularly powerful in supporting this process.
When someone walks through my door carrying the weight of trauma, it’s not just a story they’re telling; it’s etched into their being. They might be hypervigilant, emotionally numb, or struggling with intrusive thoughts. They might feel like their body is betraying them, reacting to triggers that others can’t even perceive. My first priority is always to create a safe and trusting environment. This is where the Person-Centred approach shines.
It’s about radical acceptance. It’s about offering unconditional positive regard, meeting the client where they are, without judgment or agenda. It’s about truly listening, not just to the words, but to the unspoken emotions, the subtle shifts in body language. In this space, clients can begin to unravel the complex layers of their experience, at their own pace. They can explore the feelings they’ve been pushing down for so long, the shame, the fear, the grief. It’s not my role to tell them what to feel or how to heal, but to walk alongside them on their journey.
Then there’s EMDR. Often, clients come to me with memories that are frozen in time and still causing intense distress. These memories are often processed differently in the brain, almost like they’re stuck. EMDR offers a way to unlock those memories, to process them in a safe and controlled environment. The eye movements, or other types of “bilateral stimulation” facilitate this process. It’s as if the brain is finally able to integrate the traumatic experience, to file it away as a memory rather than a current threat.
It’s fascinating to observe the changes that occur during an EMDR session. Sometimes there are big emotional releases, tears, anger, or sadness. Other times, the process is more subtle, a quiet shift in perspective. The client might report feeling less attached to the memory, less triggered by it. They might describe a sense of distance, as if the event is finally in the past.
EMDR and Person-Centred Therapy complement each other beautifully. The Person-Centred approach provides the foundation of safety and trust, while EMDR offers a powerful tool for directly addressing the trauma. It’s not about erasing the past, but about changing its impact on the present.
To help someone move from a place of deep pain and suffering to a place of greater self-awareness and resilience is a wonderful experience. It shows healing is possible, even in the face of the most challenging experiences, and that with the right support, we can all find our way back to ourselves.
If you’re struggling with the impact of trauma, please know that you’re not alone. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength. If you’d like to explore EMDR or Person-Centred Therapy, or simply have questions about the process, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Taking that first step can be daunting, but it can also be the beginning of a profound transformation. Let’s work together to help you find your way forward.