EMDR Therapy Hythe & Folkestone
If past experiences continue to affect your emotional wellbeing, relationships or daily life, EMDR therapy can help you process and move beyond them.
At Self Horizons, we provide professional EMDR therapy in Hythe and Folkestone for adults experiencing trauma, PTSD, anxiety, childhood trauma, grief, phobias and other distressing life experiences. We offer both face-to-face and online EMDR therapy, creating a safe and supportive environment where healing and recovery can take place.
Whether you have experienced a single traumatic event or are struggling with the effects of long-term emotional difficulties, EMDR can help your brain reprocess painful memories so they no longer have the same emotional impact on your life today.
Ready to begin? Complete our referral form here to arrange an initial consultation.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy approach designed to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences.
Unlike traditional talking therapies, EMDR focuses on helping the brain process memories that may have become “stuck” following traumatic or overwhelming experiences. These unprocessed memories can continue to trigger emotional distress, anxiety, fear, negative beliefs and physical symptoms long after the event has passed.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping or auditory tones, to support the brain’s natural healing process. The goal is not to erase memories but to reduce their emotional intensity so they can be remembered without causing significant distress.
EMDR is recognised internationally as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD and is recommended by NICE for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
How Does EMDR Work?
When we experience a traumatic or overwhelming event, the brain’s normal processing system can become disrupted.
As a result, memories may remain stored in a way that causes ongoing distress. Triggers in everyday life can reactivate these memories, leading to anxiety, panic, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, emotional overwhelm or feelings of being stuck.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories safely and effectively.
During therapy, you will work with a trained EMDR therapist to:
- Identify distressing memories or experiences
- Explore how these experiences continue to affect your life
- Process difficult memories using bilateral stimulation
- Reduce emotional distress connected to those memories
- Develop healthier beliefs and emotional responses
Many clients report feeling calmer, more confident and less emotionally triggered following EMDR treatment.
What Conditions Can EMDR Help With?
EMDR therapy is most commonly associated with trauma and PTSD, but research shows it can be effective for a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
- Childhood trauma
- Anxiety disorders
- Panic attacks
- Social anxiety
- Health anxiety
- Grief and bereavement
- Relationship difficulties
- Low self-esteem
- Emotional abuse
- Bullying
- Workplace stress
- Phobias
- Accidents and injuries
- Medical trauma
- Birth trauma
- Distressing life experiences
EMDR and Individual Counselling
While EMDR is highly effective for trauma-related difficulties, some clients benefit from combining EMDR with wider therapeutic support.
Our individual counselling service provides a safe and confidential space to explore anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, life transitions, relationship difficulties and emotional wellbeing concerns.
During your assessment, we can discuss the most appropriate therapeutic approach for your individual needs and goals.
EMDR Therapy for Trauma and PTSD
Trauma affects everyone differently. Some people develop symptoms immediately following a traumatic event, while others may not notice difficulties until months or years later.
You may benefit from EMDR if you experience:
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Intrusive memories
- Hypervigilance
- Emotional numbness
- Difficulty trusting others
- Avoidance behaviours
- Anxiety or panic
- Feelings of shame or guilt
EMDR therapy can help reduce the emotional impact of traumatic memories and support long-term recovery. Many people find they can think about difficult experiences without feeling overwhelmed, allowing them to move forward with greater confidence and emotional freedom.
EMDR Therapy for Anxiety
Anxiety is often linked to earlier experiences, negative beliefs or distressing memories. EMDR can help identify and process the underlying causes of anxiety rather than simply managing symptoms.
Whether you experience generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks or specific fears, EMDR may help reduce emotional triggers and support a greater sense of calm and control.
How Trauma Can Affect Relationships
Trauma, anxiety and unresolved emotional experiences can affect communication, trust, intimacy and connection within relationships.
Where relationship difficulties are contributing to emotional distress, our couples counselling service may provide additional support for partners seeking to strengthen understanding and rebuild connection.
EMDR Therapy for Childhood Trauma
Experiences from childhood can continue to affect emotional wellbeing long into adulthood.
- Emotional neglect
- Family conflict
- Bullying
- Criticism
- Abuse
- Loss or separation
- Unpredictable caregiving
These experiences can contribute to difficulties with confidence, relationships, self-worth and emotional regulation. EMDR helps process these experiences so they no longer have the same influence on how you feel about yourself today.
What Happens During an EMDR Session?
1. Assessment and Preparation
We begin by exploring your experiences, goals and current difficulties. We will ensure you feel safe and prepared before any memory processing takes place.
2. Identifying Target Memories
Together, we identify memories, situations or beliefs that may be contributing to your difficulties.
3. Reprocessing
Using bilateral stimulation, we help your brain process distressing memories in a safe and structured way.
4. Integration and Closure
We help you strengthen positive beliefs and develop emotional resilience moving forward.
The number of sessions required varies depending on your individual circumstances and therapeutic goals.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy
- Reduced emotional distress
- Fewer intrusive memories
- Improved confidence and self-esteem
- Better emotional regulation
- Reduced anxiety and panic
- Greater resilience
- Improved relationships
- Increased sense of safety and wellbeing
- Freedom from the impact of past experiences
Why Choose Self Horizons for EMDR Therapy in Hythe and Folkestone?
Choosing the right therapist is an important step in your healing journey. At Self Horizons, we provide compassionate, evidence-based EMDR therapy tailored to your individual experiences and goals.
We support adults experiencing trauma, PTSD, anxiety and the lasting effects of difficult life experiences throughout Hythe, Folkestone and the wider Kent area.
Our aim is to help you process the past safely, reduce emotional distress and build a greater sense of confidence, resilience and wellbeing.
- Specialist trauma-informed approach
- EMDR therapy for PTSD, anxiety and trauma
- Face-to-face appointments available
- Remote EMDR therapy available
- Confidential, professional and compassionate support
Face-to-Face and Remote EMDR Therapy
We understand that attending therapy in person is not always practical. That’s why Self Horizons offers both in-person and remote EMDR therapy appointments.
Our remote therapy service via Zoom and Microsoft Teams enables clients throughout Hythe, Folkestone, Kent and across the UK to access professional support wherever they are located.
Many clients find online EMDR therapy offers the same level of support and effectiveness while providing additional convenience and flexibility.
EMDR Therapy in Hythe, Folkestone and Across Kent
Self Horizons provides EMDR therapy for clients in Hythe, Folkestone and the surrounding areas of Kent.
Many clients travel from nearby locations including:
- Hythe
- Folkestone
- Sandgate
- Cheriton
- Hawkinge
- New Romney
- Dymchurch
- Lyminge
- Ashford
- Canterbury
We also offer online EMDR therapy for clients throughout the UK, making specialist trauma support accessible wherever you are located.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EMDR therapy effective?
EMDR is one of the most researched trauma therapies available and is recognised internationally as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
The number of sessions varies depending on your individual circumstances, goals and the complexity of the issues being addressed.
Does EMDR work for anxiety?
Yes. EMDR can help process experiences and beliefs that contribute to anxiety, panic attacks and emotional distress.
Is EMDR suitable for childhood trauma?
EMDR is widely used to help adults process childhood experiences that continue to affect emotional wellbeing.
Can EMDR be delivered online?
Yes. Online EMDR therapy has become increasingly popular and can be highly effective for many clients.
Will I have to talk in detail about traumatic experiences?
Not necessarily. EMDR often requires less detailed discussion of traumatic events than some traditional therapies.
Is EMDR recommended for PTSD?
Yes. EMDR is recommended by NICE and many international health organisations for the treatment of PTSD.
Do you offer EMDR therapy in Hythe?
Yes. Self Horizons provides EMDR therapy for clients in Hythe and the surrounding areas.
Do you provide EMDR therapy for Folkestone clients?
Yes. We regularly support clients from Folkestone who are seeking help for trauma, PTSD, anxiety and other emotional difficulties.
Can I have online EMDR therapy if I live outside Hythe or Folkestone?
Absolutely. Online EMDR therapy is available for clients throughout Kent and across the UK.
Start Your EMDR Therapy Journey Today
If you are looking for EMDR therapy in Hythe or Folkestone, Self Horizons is here to help.
Whether you are struggling with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, childhood experiences or distressing life events, professional support is available.
We welcome referrals from individuals seeking support, healthcare professionals, employers and organisations looking for specialist trauma-informed therapy.
The quickest way to get started is by completing our referral form.
Click here to submit a referral and request an initial consultation.
You can also explore our individual counselling services, couples counselling support, or access therapy remotely through our online therapy service.