Ali Leftwich
Counselling :: Supervision :: Training :: Mindfulness :: EMDR

How many counselling sessions will I have?

I offer time limited counselling, from 1 to 12 sessions. Within this range the number of sessions that you will have will be agreed between us, often we meet for a few sessions and then review together. Sessions are sometimes weekly and sometimes less often. At the initial session you decide whether you want to go ahead and book further sessions, go away and think about what you need or decide that counselling is not for you.

How will it work?

You can telephone or email to discuss an appointment. If necessary please leave a message where I can reach you or safely leave a message.

How long will a session last?

Sessions usually last one hour.

How much will I pay?

I offer a free half hour consultation either face to face or on the telephone. The fee for counselling is normally £40.00 to £45.00 per hour. Concessions are available.

What is EMDR?

EMDR is a process of bi-lateral stimulation of the brain thorough eye movements, hand taps or sound. When people are traumatised, they may experience such strong emotions the brain is overwhelmed. As a result, the brain is unable to cope with or process information as it does ordinarily. Distressing experiences become 'frozen in time'. They are stored in the brain in the original 'raw' form and can recur as 'action replays' or intrusive memories. Memories have a lasting negative effect on the way people see themselves, the world and other people. It can affect parts or all of their lives, including their ability to work or study. EMDR is suitable for working with a range of trauma including abuse, accidents,rape, bullying or being very frightened by an incident.

EMDR and the Brain

EMDR seems to directly influence the way that the brain functions. It helps to restore normal ways of dealing with problems (ie information processing). Following successful EMDR treatment, memories of the event are no longer painful when brought to mind. What happened can still be recalled, but it is less upsetting. EMDR appears to mimic what the brain does naturally on a daily basis during dreaming or REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. EMDR can be thought of as an inherently natural therapy which assists the brain in working through distressing material.

Is EMDR effective?

Research studies have shown that EMDR can markedly accelerate the healing process after a traumatic experience and that the effects are long-lasting. There are now more scientifically controlled studies on the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with EMDR than with any other form of psychological treatment. EMDR is highly effective, preferred by clients and generally of shorter duration than other treatment methods. EMDR is in the NICE (government National Institute for Clinical Excellence) guidelines for the treatment of PTSD.