- Written by Amy (not her real name of course)
- I had never heard of EMDR before I met Gail, however after our sessions which have assisted with a wide range of issues, I couldn’t speak more highly of Gail or this form of therapy.
- I first went to Gail after experiencing night terrors for around 12 years. I had spent endless hours of my own research, counselling, sleep clinics and suggestions of medication with no improvement. It hadn’t been something I had felt very comfortable discussing in the past as it felt embarrassing and I had previously been dismissed or made to feel like I was exaggerating or making a big deal out of something. Gail, however, made me feel comfortable and at ease straight away.
- Terrors can be difficult to try and describe but she listened and showed such empathy that I ended up opening up more with her than I had with anyone previously. She guided me through EMDR for my terrors and stabilising techniques for before sleep and after a terror. It can be distressing to relive them, but we went at my pace and stopped if it was too upsetting. My terrors have reduced from several times a week, to a couple of times a month. I would never have seen this improvement if it wasn’t for Gail and EMDR.
- During my time with Gail we have also used EMDR for Intrusive thoughts, again another topic that prior to meeting her, I had only told a handful of people about due to embarrassment or fear of being misunderstood. Through EMDR sessions and reinforcing the positive statements when I was in certain positions, I have not experienced them since.
- Gail also assisted me through the difficult time of my dad being terminally ill. Using forward EMDR to assist with events that I knew were coming up and was dreading how I was going to cope. But also in relation to past traumatic experiences that were contributing towards complicated grief and generally struggling with the situation I was in.
- My sessions with Gail helped me to see a different side to emotions and thoughts that I was having about myself and certain situations. Gail lets this happen very naturally and it was very much a two-way relationship. During EMDR we could start on one topic which would then lead to a different thought or emotion that I was unaware I even had but she allowed me to realise it in my own time with no pressure. I wanted to actually implement techniques etc… between sessions rather than feeling obliged to do homework as I had in previous therapies.
- Gail genuinely cares and had it not been for her patience, understanding and the trust she built with me, I wouldn’t be in the place I am now. I have gained so much from my sessions and time spent with her.