How EMDR Therapy Helped Me Process and Heal from Trauma
It was about midday. I think. I don't remember.
It was July. I think. Or maybe September. I'm not sure.
I woke up in a hospital bed. Alone.
And that is where the story began.
What Is Trauma and How Does It Affect Us?
The Mind charity defines trauma as: "Trauma is when we experience very stressful, frightening or distressing events that are difficult to cope with or out of our control. It could be one incident, or an ongoing event that happens over a long period of time."
There's no rule about what experiences can be traumatic. It's more about how you react to them. Trauma is personal. What deeply affects one person may have little impact on someone else. For some, what happened to me might have seemed insignificant. Maybe an upsetting moment. Maybe a difficult memory that eventually faded away. But for me, it became a traumatic experience that stayed with me for years.
Living with a Traumatic Memory
For years, that moment kept returning to me.
Did I want to forget it? Absolutely. Not because I was alone that day. After all, I'm a strong woman. The kind of woman who copes. The kind people say can handle anything life throws at her.
No, I wanted to forget because of why I was alone. That moment represented a choice that was never really a choice at all. It had been made for me. Something had been taken away from me, and it hurt. Deeply.
What surprised me most was not the event itself, but how long the emotional pain remained. Years later, I could still feel the sadness, anger and anxiety attached to that memory as though it had happened yesterday.
So I did what many people do when faced with emotional trauma. I tried not to think about it. Of course, the brain had other ideas. The more I tried to suppress the memory, the stronger it seemed to become. The emotional imprint deepened. The scene replayed itself thousands of times, reinforcing the same feelings, beliefs and emotional reactions. Eventually, I reached a point where I knew something had to change. I decided it was time to return to something I already knew could help: hypnotherapy.
How EMDR Therapy Helped Me Process Trauma
Walking into that session felt a little like meeting an old friend. I arrived with a plan. "Can we remove the memory?" I asked. Or at least remove the emotional charge attached to it. I even came prepared with my own suggestions: some NLP and EMDR therapy should do the trick. Control issues? Me? Never.
So that's exactly what we did. A session combining NLP and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). By the end of the session, something had shifted. The intense anxiety that had been sitting inside my body for years had noticeably reduced. It wasn't completely gone, but it felt about half as powerful as it had when I arrived.
That change alone gave me hope. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was genuinely moving forward rather than simply managing the effects of the trauma. So I booked a second session.
Using EMDR Alongside Hypnotherapy and NLP
This time, the hypnotherapist had other ideas. Rather than trying to force the memory away, we explored the different parts of me that were still attached to it. A couple of hours later, I left with far more than I had expected:
A deeper understanding of what had really happened that day.
The realisation that the situation felt strangely familiar because it echoed another experience from years earlier that I had never connected.
An understanding of why I had been holding on so tightly to the memory. In its own way, my mind was trying to protect me by making sure the same thing never happened again.
A clearer sense of the different parts of myself involved in the struggle.
The opportunity to decide who I wanted to be moving forward.
A genuine desire to let go and an acceptance of everything that comes with that decision.
It was intense. But it was also exactly what I needed. What I appreciated most was that the hypnotherapist allowed me to work at my own pace and follow the direction that felt right for me.
As she said: "Sometimes, it's about asking the right questions." Perhaps that's the real lesson.
How EMDR Therapy Helps with Traumatic Experiences
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a recognised trauma therapy designed to help people process difficult or distressing experiences. Rather than erasing memories, EMDR helps the brain reprocess them so they no longer trigger the same level of emotional distress.
Traumatic memories can sometimes become "stuck", meaning the brain continues to react as though the event is happening now rather than recognising it as something that happened in the past. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, fear, sadness or emotional discomfort long after the original event has ended.
EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories in a healthier way. Many people find they can still remember what happened, but without feeling overwhelmed by it. The memory remains, but the emotional charge attached to it is significantly reduced.
For many people recovering from trauma, that shift can feel life-changing.
Healing from Trauma Isn't Always About Forgetting
When people come to therapy, they often want to erase a memory, remove an emotion or get rid of a feeling. Yet sometimes the answer isn't in getting rid of anything at all. Sometimes it's in understanding why it's there in the first place.
Whether through Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, NLP, EMDR therapy or other trauma-informed approaches, meaningful change often begins with curiosity rather than control.
For years, I thought I needed to get rid of the memory. What I actually needed was to loosen its grip on me. The event did not change. The memory did not disappear. What changed was my relationship with it. Once the emotional intensity began to fade, I could remember what had happened without feeling as though I was living it all over again.
Looking back, that was never really the goal. The goal was not to forget. It was to heal from the trauma, reclaim my future and move forward without the past constantly pulling me back.
The Power of Holistic Therapies
At Eyeris Health, we offer a range of holistic therapies designed to support mental, emotional, and physical well-being. These include hypnotherapy, sophrology, reiki, and systemic constellations. Each therapy offers unique benefits and can be tailored to meet individual needs.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool for change. It helps clients tap into their subconscious mind to address fears, anxieties, and limiting beliefs. Through guided relaxation, clients can explore their thoughts and feelings in a safe environment.
Sophrology
Sophrology combines relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and visualisation to promote well-being. It is particularly effective for managing stress and enhancing self-awareness. Clients often find it helps them feel more grounded and centred.
Reiki
Reiki is an energy healing practice that promotes relaxation and balance. It can help alleviate physical and emotional pain, allowing clients to release tension and find peace. Many clients report feeling a deep sense of calm after a session.
Systemic Constellations
Systemic constellations explore family dynamics and patterns that may be affecting an individual’s life. By bringing these patterns to light, clients can gain insight and understanding, leading to healing and resolution.
