What is EMDR therapy? EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It was developed by an American psychologist named Dr Francine Shapiro in 1980s. From her own experiences, Dr Shapiro had observed that using eye movements could help to process difficult experiences. It was thought eye movements can replicate the memory processing that occurs […]
What counts as trauma?
Trauma is a word we hear more than ever before. It appears in therapy discussions, social media posts, news articles and everyday conversations. Yet despite its widespread use, many people remain uncertain about whether their own experiences “count” as trauma. In clinical practice, I often hear people describe events that continue to affect them years […]
EMDR for medical trauma
Medical trauma arises when medical events overwhelm the nervous system’s capacity to cope — something I see in patients, relatives and healthcare professionals alike. Having worked within acute medical and surgical settings earlier in my career, I understand the pace, pressures and emotional intensity of these environments. This often helps clients make sense of what […]
EMDR for Fear of Flying
Fear of flying is often misunderstood. Many people assume it’s a simple phobia — something similar to a fear of snakes or heights — and that it should respond to the same kinds of strategies. But fear of flying is rarely that straightforward. It’s a complex, multi‑layered experience shaped by anxiety, past events, bodily sensations, […]
What is traumatic grief?
Traumatic grief occurs when the circumstances surrounding a loss are so overwhelming that a person experiences psychological trauma alongside a typical grief response. In this context, trauma refers to the mind struggling to process what has happened. People may experience intrusive memories or images, high levels of anxiety, difficulties sleeping, and intense emotional states that […]
EMDR after a cancer diagnosis and treatment
After a cancer diagnosis, it’s very common to feel stuck in a cycle of checking, reassurance‑seeking, and imagining worst‑case scenarios — all while knowing, on some level, that the fear is not logical. Many people describe living with a constant sense of threat, even when treatment has finished and medical teams are reassuring. What’s often […]
What warm and friendly women need to know
Why warmth is a strength — and why it sometimes attracts the wrong people. Warmth is one of the most powerful relational qualities we have. It helps us build trust, create safety, and form meaningful connections. Many women pride themselves on being warm, friendly, and emotionally attuned — qualities that are deeply human and deeply […]
Can EMDR be used to treat health anxiety?
Health anxiety can be exhausting. Even when medical tests come back clear, the worry can linger. Many people describe feeling stuck in a cycle of checking, reassurance‑seeking, and imagining worst‑case scenarios — all while knowing, on some level, that the fear is not logical. What’s often less understood is that health anxiety rarely appears “out […]
How much does EMDR cost? Understanding the investment
If you’ve been researching EMDR therapy, you may have noticed that it often costs more than standard talking therapy. This can feel confusing at first — especially if you’re comparing prices or trying to understand what’s included. The truth is that EMDR is a highly specialised therapy, and the cost reflects the level of training, […]
Common reasons why people seek therapy
People seek therapy for many different reasons, but there’s often a common thread: something, or a combination of things have become difficult and your usual coping strategies are no longer working. For some, it’s a specific event that has shaken their sense of safety or identity. For others, it’s a gradual build‑up of stress, self‑doubt, […]
Why psychologists’ voices matter: Reflections on sharing expertise in the media
My journey into expert contributions to the media began in 2021, shortly after setting up The Travel Psychologist, a blog focused on the psychology of travel and well-being. I attended a ACP-UK workshop for clinical psychologists hosted by BBC journalist James Waterhouse. His message to us as a professional group was compelling; there is a […]