MTP & EMDR

Healing Through the Senses: EMDR & Multi-Sensory Trauma Processing

Trauma leaves deep marks on the human mind; it affects every aspect of our lives, from how we think and feel to how our bodies react to the world around them. Often, these past experiences leave us feeling "stuck" in a cycle of hyper-vigilance or emotional numbness.

In my practice, I utilize EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) alongside Multi-Sensory Trauma Processing to offer a path toward genuine relief. These methods do more than just talk about the problem; they help the brain and body process distressing experiences differently, allowing you to finally move forward.

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Why Focus on the Senses?

Trauma is not just stored in our words; it is stored in our senses. A certain smell, a sudden sound, or a physical sensation can trigger anxiety.

Multi-Sensory Trauma Processing acknowledges that the "logical" part of our brain often shuts down during trauma. By engaging multiple senses (sight, sound, and touch) during therapy, we can:

• Soothe the Nervous System: Using sensory grounding tools to stay present.

• Bridge the Gap: Connecting the emotional right brain with the logical left brain.

• Create Safety: Using "dual awareness" to process the past while feeling firmly rooted in the safety of the present.​

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How EMDR Therapy Works

EMDR therapy addresses trauma in a way that feels less overwhelming than many traditional methods. It focuses on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which suggests that your brain has a natural healing movement that can be "unlocked" after being frozen by trauma.

Key Benefits of EMDR:

• Directly Targets the Root: It focuses on the source of distress rather than just managing symptoms.

• Bilateral Stimulation: By engaging both brain hemispheres through eye movements, taps, or sounds, we mimic the brain’s natural processing during REM sleep.

• Reduces Emotional Intensity: Over time, traumatic memories become less vivid and lose their "sting."

• Builds Positive Beliefs: We replace harmful thoughts like "I am powerless" with empowering truths such as "I am safe now."

• Efficiency: Research, including a 2013 study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, shows that EMDR can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms much faster than traditional talk therapy alone.

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Who Can Benefit?

While originally developed by Dr Francine Shapiro for PTSD, EMDR and sensory processing are now recognised as effective for:

• Survivors of accidents, abuse, or domestic violence.

• Veterans and First Responders are dealing with high-stress triggers.

• Phobias and Panic Disorders are linked to past events.

• Complex Grief and the "heaviness" of loss.

• Performance Anxiety or deep-seated "not enough" beliefs.

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The future of trauma recovery is holistic. By combining the structured power of EMDR with a multi-sensory approach, we allow your brain and body to process old trauma.

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