EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps your brain reprocess difficult experiences and update unhelpful beliefs. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements, taps, or tones) to help your brain process "stuck" memories and beliefs that contribute to your anxiety.

Social anxiety often develops from earlier experiences where you felt judged, embarrassed, or rejected. EMDR helps identify and reprocess these core memories, allowing your brain to update the negative beliefs that fuel your anxiety (like "I'm not good enough" or "People will judge me"). This creates lasting change at the root level instead of just managing symptoms.

EMDR works effectively for both "big T" traumas and "small t" traumas. Social and/or performance anxiety often stems from seemingly minor experiences (being laughed at, feeling excluded, being criticised, choking up one during public speaking) that had a significant impact. EMDR can help process these experiences regardless of their perceived severity.

We'll begin by identifying the specific social situations that trigger anxiety and the negative beliefs you hold about yourself in these situations. Then we'll use EMDR to target the memories that created these beliefs, helping your brain update its understanding. As treatment progresses, we'll also install preferred feelings and rehearse future scenarios with your new perspective.

EMDR sessions are 90 minutes to allow sufficient time for the processing to unfold naturally. Shorter sessions often mean interrupting the process just as it's getting to important material, which is less effective.

Many clients report feeling shifts after just 1-3 EMDR sessions, though the number needed varies based on your history and the complexity of your anxiety. Some notice they're responding differently to social situations almost immediately, while more complex patterns may take longer to shift fully.

While CBT focuses on changing thought patterns, EMDR works directly with the brain's information processing system to update emotional responses at their source. Many clients who found CBT helpful but incomplete find EMDR addresses the deeper emotional components their previous therapy couldn't reach.

This varies depending on your history and the complexity of your social anxiety. For specific, focused social or performance anxiety, 1-6 sessions is often sufficient. More complex or longstanding anxiety may require additional sessions.

Absolutely. EMDR is particularly effective for performance anxiety, as it can target specific triggering scenarios. Many clients find significant relief for public speaking, performance, or workplace anxiety through targeted EMDR sessions.

EMDR sessions are 90 minutes rather than the standard 50-60 minutes, providing nearly double the therapeutic time. The extended format is crucial for EMDR's effectiveness, allowing complete processing cycles without interruption. Additionally, EMDR requires specialised training, supervision and certification beyond standard therapy qualifications, representing a higher level of expertise and specialised care.

While the upfront cost may seem higher, EMDR often works out more cost-effective in the long run. Traditional weekly therapy for social anxiety can continue for months or even years, with gradual improvement. In contrast, EMDR typically requires fewer total sessions to achieve significant results, meaning your overall investment may be substantially lower while achieving more profound change.

Absolutely! CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and EMDR work excellently together and can create a comprehensive approach to treating social anxiety. While they work through different mechanisms, they complement each other well. CBT helps you recognise and challenge unhelpful thought patterns and develop practical strategies, while EMDR addresses the underlying emotional experiences and beliefs that fuel your anxiety at their source. Many clients find this combination particularly powerful.

Yes. In this case sessions would be weekly sessions of 60 minutes (£110). This allows us to work on an ongoing basis.

This is best discussed in our free call to determine your ultimate goals and difficulties, and what’s likely to be effective.