About EMDR Therapy
If you've experienced trauma, anxiety or distressing life events, you may feel as though part of you is still living in the past. You might know you're safe now, yet your mind and body continue to react as though the danger is still present.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps the brain process difficult experiences so they no longer feel as emotionally overwhelming. Rather than simply helping you manage symptoms, EMDR aims to address the underlying memories and beliefs that continue to influence how you think, feel and respond today.
I offer EMDR therapy in Leeds and online across the UK, supporting adults recovering from trauma, anxiety, childhood experiences, sexual trauma, betrayal and low self-worth.
How EMDR Works
When something overwhelming happens, the brain doesn't always process the experience in the usual way. Instead, memories can become "stuck", along with the thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and beliefs that were present at the time.
Years later, something seemingly unrelated can trigger those same feelings. You may react with anxiety, panic, shame or self-criticism without fully understanding why.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping or alternating sounds. As the memory is processed, it becomes less emotionally charged. You still remember what happened, but it no longer has the same power over your thoughts, emotions or behaviour.
Many people describe feeling as though the memory has become more distant or that they can finally think about it without becoming overwhelmed.
Why Choose EMDR?
EMDR is recommended by organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the NHS, and the American Psychological Association for the treatment of trauma.
Efficient: Many people experience noticeable relief more quickly than they expect, especially when previous therapies haven’t led to lasting change.
Non-invasive: EMDR doesn’t require you to talk in detail about painful memories unless you want to.
Transformational: It targets not just symptoms but the root cause—helping to shift deep-seated beliefs, emotional responses, and patterns of behaviour.
What Can EMDR Help With?
PTSD
Complex PTSD
Childhood trauma
Sexual trauma
Betrayal trauma
Anxiety and panic attacks
Low self-esteem
Imposter syndrome
Grief and loss
Relationship trauma
Emotional neglect
Distressing memories
Performance anxiety
Medical trauma
Even if you wouldn't describe your experiences as "trauma", EMDR may still be helpful if past events continue to affect your confidence, relationships or emotional wellbeing.
The EMDR Process
What Happens During EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy is much more than simply moving your eyes from side to side.
Treatment follows a structured eight-phase approach designed to ensure you feel prepared and supported throughout the process.
Initially we'll spend time understanding your history, current difficulties and goals for therapy. We'll identify the memories or experiences that continue to affect you today and develop strategies to help you feel emotionally stable before beginning memory processing.
When you're ready, we'll work through those memories using bilateral stimulation. Throughout the process, you're always in control. We regularly pause, check in and adapt the pace to suit your needs.
There is no expectation that you'll recount every detail of what happened. Many people appreciate that EMDR focuses on helping the brain process experiences rather than repeatedly talking through painful events.
Why Choose EMDR Therapy With Me?
Choosing the right therapist is just as important as choosing the right therapy.
I'm Jodie Slee, an experienced psychotherapist and EMDR therapist with over 17 years' experience helping people recover from trauma, anxiety and the lasting effects of difficult life experiences.
Alongside EMDR, I bring extensive experience in attachment, relationships, sexual trauma, betrayal trauma and shame. This allows me to understand not only traumatic memories themselves but also how those experiences continue to influence self-esteem, relationships and emotional wellbeing.
My approach is compassionate, collaborative and tailored to you. There is no pressure to move faster than feels comfortable, and therapy is always adapted to your individual needs and goals.
I offer appointments in Leeds and online across the UK.
EMDR for Relational Trauma
Not all trauma results from a single event. Many people grow up experiencing criticism, emotional neglect, inconsistency or relationships that never felt safe or secure. Others have experienced controlling, abusive or emotionally unavailable partners.
These experiences can shape how you see yourself and others, leading to difficulties with trust, people-pleasing, fear of rejection, anxiety in relationships or a persistent feeling that you're "not enough."
EMDR helps process the memories and experiences that underpin these patterns, allowing healthier beliefs about yourself and your relationships to develop over time.
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EMDR for Sexual Trauma
The effects of sexual trauma don't always end when the experience is over. Many people find that it continues to affect how they feel about themselves, their body, their relationships and their ability to trust others.
You may find yourself feeling anxious, constantly on edge, disconnected from your body, overwhelmed by shame or struggling with intimacy. For some people, memories feel intrusive and vivid. For others, the impact is less obvious but still shapes everyday life, relationships and self-worth.
EMDR can help your brain process these experiences so they no longer carry the same emotional intensity. Over time, many people find they feel safer, more connected to themselves and better able to move forward without the past having such a powerful hold on the present.
I understand that talking about sexual trauma can feel incredibly difficult. Therapy is always approached with sensitivity, compassion and respect for your boundaries. There is never any pressure to share more than you feel ready to, and we will work at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you. My priority is helping you feel supported, understood and in control throughout the process.
What to Expect
EMDR is a structured, phased therapy. In our work together, we’ll begin by building safety and trust, identifying the key issues you want to work on, and helping you develop tools for emotional regulation. When you’re ready, we’ll move into the processing phase, working gently but effectively with the memories, beliefs, and sensations that are keeping you stuck. EMDR can be delivered in weekly sessions or condensed into a intensive format.
If you’re curious about EMDR or wondering whether it might help with what you're going through, I’d be happy to talk it through with you.
Ready to Begin?
I offer both weekly sessions and one-off EMDR intensives, depending on what suits you best. If you're curious about starting therapy—or want to know if EMDR is the right fit—I'd be happy to talk it through.
Fill out the form and I’ll get in touch.