Are you struggling with distressing memories or emotional reactions connected to difficult experiences in your past? Perhaps something that happened years ago still affects how you feel, think or respond to certain situations today.
I'm Mel, an EMDR-trained counsellor based in Tauranga. I offer Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to help people process traumatic or distressing experiences that continue to affect their emotional wellbeing.
My approach is compassionate, individualised and guided by your needs. I believe that feeling safe, supported and understood is an important part of any therapeutic process.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is an evidence-based therapy developed to help people process distressing memories and experiences.
Sometimes, when we go through something overwhelming, memories of that experience can remain connected to strong emotions, negative beliefs or physical reactions.
Even when we know that the experience is in the past, certain situations, thoughts or reminders may still trigger feelings of fear, anxiety or distress.
EMDR uses a structured therapeutic process that includes bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or alternating tapping, while working with particular memories.
The aim is to help the brain process these experiences in a way that reduces their emotional impact, so that remembering the past becomes less distressing.
What can EMDR help with?
EMDR is particularly well established as a treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It may also be helpful for certain other difficulties connected to distressing life experiences.
People sometimes seek EMDR therapy for:
- Traumatic or overwhelming experiences
- PTSD and trauma-related symptoms
- Distressing childhood memories
- Anxiety linked to past experiences
- Panic or strong emotional reactions triggered by reminders
- Negative beliefs about themselves following difficult events
- Difficulties moving forward after particularly upsetting experiences
You don't necessarily need to have experienced one major traumatic event to be affected by distressing memories.
Sometimes a series of difficult experiences, particularly during childhood or in important relationships, can continue to influence how we feel about ourselves and the world around us.
Together, we can explore whether EMDR may be a suitable approach for your particular concerns.
My approach to EMDR counselling
I have specialist postgraduate training in trauma counselling and am trained in EMDR therapy.
I understand that revisiting difficult experiences can feel daunting, especially if you've spent a long time trying to avoid painful memories or emotions.
For this reason, I place particular importance on building trust and helping you feel comfortable with the counselling process.
I don't believe in rushing people into discussing or processing experiences before they feel ready.
We can begin by exploring what brings you to counselling, how your experiences are affecting you today and what you hope to gain from therapy.
I also draw on approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy and Strengths-Based Therapy when appropriate.
My focus is on finding a way of working that suits you as an individual, rather than assuming that one approach is right for everyone.
What happens during EMDR therapy?
EMDR involves several stages, including understanding your history, preparing for memory processing and evaluating how you're responding to treatment.
During the preparation stage, we can discuss your concerns, identify relevant experiences and consider ways of managing difficult emotions.
When you're ready to begin processing, EMDR uses guided bilateral stimulation while you focus on specific aspects of a distressing memory.
The purpose is not to erase your memories or make you forget what happened. Instead, EMDR aims to reduce the distress associated with those memories and help you develop a different relationship with your past experiences.
Everyone responds differently, and the number of sessions needed can vary depending on your circumstances and the difficulties you're experiencing.
Some people benefit from EMDR as a focused therapy, while for others it forms part of a broader counselling process.
Moving forward after difficult experiences
I believe that although our past experiences can shape us, they don't have to define our future.
Traumatic or distressing memories can sometimes influence how we see ourselves, how safe we feel and how we relate to other people.
My aim is to help you understand these connections, process difficult experiences where appropriate and gradually reconnect with your own strengths and resources.
You don't have to work through everything on your own.
EMDR therapy in Tauranga
I offer EMDR therapy in Tauranga, providing a confidential, supportive and non-judgemental environment.
Sessions can be tailored to your individual needs, and we can discuss whether EMDR or another counselling approach would be most suitable for you.
Whether you're struggling with the effects of trauma, anxiety connected to past experiences or memories that continue to cause distress, you're welcome to get in touch.
Would you like to know more or make an appointment? Please feel free to contact me.
Mel
Counsellor & EMDR Therapist
Registered with NZAC
