Trauma & EMDR

Who this is for

Trauma can mean many things: a single overwhelming event, repeated experiences in childhood, medical trauma, loss, or situations where you did not feel safe. You might notice intrusive memories, nightmares, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, or a sense that the past is still happening in the present.

Some people carry a formal PTSD diagnosis; others simply know that something still hurts, reacts, or shuts them down. You do not have to tell your story in detail to begin, we work at a pace that respects your nervous system.

Common experiences we work with

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and complex trauma
• Childhood adversity and attachment wounds
• Accidents, medical trauma, or birth trauma
• Grief and sudden loss
• Domestic or relational trauma
• Feeling "on edge", disconnected, or emotionally overwhelmed

How trauma-focused therapy helps

Trauma-informed therapy creates safety first: stabilisation, grounding, and a clear plan before processing deeper material. When you are ready, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) can help the brain reprocess memories that feel "stuck", reducing their emotional charge and intrusiveness.

EMDR does not require you to relive every detail aloud. Bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements) supports the brain's natural processing so that memories can feel more past than present.

We integrate trauma work with broader therapy goals, relationships, self-esteem, sleep, and daily functioning, so change is not only about the memory, but about your life now.

Eclectic brief therapy: a less intensive alternative

EMDR and trauma-focused processing are powerful options, but they are not the only way to work with trauma at Door to Therapy. Many clients prefer or need a less intensive route first, or instead of memory processing altogether.

Eclectic brief therapy means trauma-informed work that deliberately draws on the methods that fit you now: stabilisation and grounding, person-centred emotional support, cognitive and behavioural tools for triggers and avoidance, solution-focused work on what would be different in daily life, and brief strategic attention to patterns that keep you stuck. Sessions are usually 50 minutes at standard fees, not the extended EMDR format.

This path suits you if you are not ready to process memories yet, if symptoms are distressing but subthreshold for a full PTSD protocol, if ongoing life stressors need addressing alongside trauma reactions, or if your priority is functioning (sleep, work, relationships, confidence) rather than formal reprocessing. Research on trauma recovery supports phased care: stabilisation and skills-building are legitimate treatment phases, not a lesser form of help.

We agree clear goals and review progress regularly so therapy stays focused. If you later choose EMDR or deeper trauma-focused work, the relationship and understanding we have built carry over. If brief work is enough, we stop when your goals are met, there is no pressure to escalate intensity.

Choosing between EMDR and brief trauma-informed work

Assessment is collaborative, not a one-way referral. We consider symptom severity, safety, readiness for processing, complexity (single incident versus repeated trauma), and your preferences. NICE recommends trauma-focused therapy for PTSD when clients are ready; eclectic brief therapy aligns with trauma-informed principles when a full processing protocol is not yet appropriate or wanted.

In practice: flashbacks and nightmares that dominate daily life may point toward EMDR when you are stable enough to begin. Persistent hypervigilance, avoidance, or low mood that affects life but where you want coping and gradual change first may point toward brief eclectic work. You can switch or combine approaches over time.

Signs it may be time to seek help

After trauma, many people recover naturally with time and support. Therapy is recommended when distress remains intense, intrusive memories or nightmares persist, avoidance narrows your life, or you feel constantly on edge or numb for more than a few weeks after the event. NICE guidelines recommend trauma-focused psychological therapy, including EMDR and trauma-focused CBT, for post-traumatic stress disorder in adults.

You do not need a PTSD diagnosis to begin. If the past still intrudes on the present in ways that cost you sleep, relationships, or peace, that is reason enough to explore help.

• Flashbacks, nightmares, or vivid re-experiencing of the event
• Avoiding places, people, or reminders linked to what happened
• Hypervigilance, exaggerated startle, or difficulty feeling safe
• Emotional numbness or detachment from people you care about
• Strong guilt, shame, or self-blame that will not shift
• Difficulty concentrating, working, or trusting others after the trauma

What the evidence suggests

EMDR is recommended in NICE guidance for PTSD alongside trauma-focused CBT. Randomised trials and meta-analyses have found EMDR effective in reducing PTSD symptoms, with benefits maintained at follow-up in many studies. Trauma-focused CBT similarly has extensive support for processing traumatic memories in a structured way.

Stabilisation skills (grounding, emotional regulation, sleep) are an important first phase, especially when trauma is complex or recent. Brief therapy can still be trauma-informed: the number of sessions depends on safety, complexity, and your goals, not a one-size-fits-all formula.

What to expect

An initial assessment explores your history, current symptoms, and goals. Together we agree whether eclectic brief therapy (typically 50-minute sessions) or EMDR (often 90 minutes when processing is planned) fits best, and when to begin deeper work if at all.

You remain in control throughout. EMDR is not hypnosis; brief trauma-informed work is not "just chatting", both are structured, collaborative, and paced to your readiness.

Accessing therapy at Door to Therapy

Trauma and EMDR work at Door to Therapy is delivered by Dr. Santiago de Ossorno, HCPC-registered counselling psychologist with training in EMDR. Sessions are available online across the UK and Spain; EMDR sessions are typically 90 minutes when processing is planned.

Begin with a free 15-minute consultation to discuss safety, pacing, and whether trauma-focused therapy here is appropriate. If you are in immediate danger or acute crisis, contact emergency services or your GP first.

Therapy is confidential. Specialist trauma sessions may be priced at £150 where extended format and training apply; we clarify fees after assessment.

What progress can look like

Progress can mean memories that feel more distant, less frequent nightmares, or the ability to go places and see people you had avoided. Stabilisation often comes first: sleep, sense of safety, daily routine.

EMDR and trauma-focused work aim for the past to feel past, not erased. Many clients describe still remembering but without the same body-level panic. We review goals regularly and pause processing if life events require stabilisation.

Trauma responses and the nervous system

Trauma affects threat-detection systems: hypervigilance, startle, nightmares, and avoidance are adaptive short-term responses that become costly when they persist after danger has passed. Psychoeducation in therapy normalises these reactions and reduces shame.

Complex trauma (repeated adversity, especially early in life) may require longer stabilisation before memory processing. Single-incident trauma may move to EMDR or trauma-focused CBT more quickly. Assessment distinguishes what you need now.

NICE guidance emphasises trauma-focused psychological treatment for PTSD rather than unstructured supportive counselling alone, when clients are ready. Door to Therapy integrates support with structured methods when appropriate.

Your first appointment

Trauma work begins with safety and assessment. A free 15-minute consultation can outline whether EMDR or stabilisation-first therapy fits, session length (50 or 90 minutes), and fees including specialist rates where applicable.

You do not need to narrate your full trauma history in the consultation. The first full session explores symptoms, triggers, resources, and pacing. You remain in control of what you share and when processing begins.

If you are in crisis or at risk, contact emergency services or your GP before booking routine therapy. Trauma therapy builds on basic safety.

Related resources

• Read more about EMDR →

  How EMDR works, what a session involves, and the evidence base

• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy →

  Goal-oriented brief work often used alongside trauma-informed stabilisation

Approaches we use

Where we work

Frequently asked questions

What is EMDR and how is it different from talking therapy?

EMDR combines structured recall of distressing material with bilateral stimulation (often eye movements). It helps the brain process memories that remain emotionally vivid. It complements, rather than replaces, supportive therapeutic conversation.

How long does trauma therapy take?

Stabilisation may take a few sessions. EMDR processing often runs over 8–12 sessions depending on complexity. We review regularly and you set the pace.

Do I have to describe my trauma in detail?

No. EMDR is designed so you do not need to narrate every detail for processing to occur. We work with what you are comfortable sharing.

Is EMDR available online?

Yes. EMDR can be delivered effectively online with appropriate setup and safety planning.

What if my trauma was years ago?

Trauma symptoms can persist or emerge long after the original event. Therapy can still help when memories feel stuck or when avoidance and hypervigilance continue to shape your life.

Can I do trauma therapy if I am still in contact with the perpetrator?

Sometimes, with careful safety planning. Assessment explores current risk and whether stabilisation or practical steps are needed before processing. Your safety is prioritised over any treatment timetable.

How do I prepare for an EMDR session?

We teach grounding and stabilisation first. Before processing, you will know how to pause, use calming skills, and agree a focus memory or theme. Preparation is part of the evidence-based protocol, not optional extra.

Can I have trauma therapy without EMDR?

Yes. Eclectic brief therapy is a core option: trauma-informed stabilisation, CBT-style tools, person-centred support, and solution-focused goals in standard 50-minute sessions. Many clients improve without memory processing; others use brief work first and choose EMDR later if needed.

What is eclectic brief therapy for trauma?

It is focused, trauma-informed therapy that selects evidence-based methods to match your goals, usually in a shorter, less intensive format than EMDR processing. We emphasise safety, coping, and practical change, with regular reviews so therapy does not drift.

Is brief trauma therapy as effective as EMDR?

They address different needs. NICE recommends trauma-focused therapies including EMDR for PTSD when processing is appropriate. Brief trauma-informed work is well suited to stabilisation, subthreshold symptoms, and goals such as sleep, functioning, and reduced avoidance. Assessment clarifies which path fits you.