EMDR for Workplace Trauma
When One Incident Still Controls How You Show Up
There was a moment.
Maybe it was a presentation that went wrong, a public humiliation, a conflict that shook you, being made redundant, or something that felt personally devastating.
It happened once - but your body hasn't let it go.
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You still feel it in your body when similar situations arise:
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Your manager says "can we talk"
You're about to present
Your heart races before meetings.
You avoid speaking up.
You second-guess yourself constantly.
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You've tried to move past it. You understand logically that it's over.
But your chest still tightens. Your mind still goes blank. Your confidence still wobbles.
That's not weakness. That's trauma.
And EMDR can help resolve it.
What EMDR Actually Does
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured therapy that helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories.
When something distressing happens, your brain is supposed to process it and file it away as "something that happened in the past."
But sometimes, especially with shocking, overwhelming experiences - your brain gets stuck. The memory doesn't get processed properly. It's stored as if it's still happening, still threatening.
That's why thinking about it still feels raw. That's why your body still reacts. That's why talking about it hasn't made it go away.
EMDR helps your brain finish the processing work. The memory doesn't disappear, you don't forget, but it loses its emotional charge. It becomes "something that happened" rather than "something that's still happening."
Research shows EMDR is as effective as CBT for trauma, often working faster. Most workplace incidents can be processed in 6-8 sessions.
Is This You?
EMDR works particularly well when:
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- You can point to a specific workplace incident when the anxiety started or got worse
- You've tried traditional therapy and it helped you understand, but didn't stop the reaction
- Your body responds before your brain catches up: racing heart, tightness, freezing, mind going blank
- You replay the incident even though you logically know you've moved on
- Certain situations trigger disproportionate anxiety
- You avoid situations that remind you of the incident, even when it limits your career
- Talking about it made sense of it, but didn't resolve it
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Workplace Trauma I Specialise In
After 25 years in corporate, I understand these experiences from the inside:
Redundancy & Job Loss:
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Unexpected redundancies
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Being let go publicly or poorly handled
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Restructures that eliminated your role
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Performance-based terminations
Workplace Bullying & Toxic Management:
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Bosses who undermined, criticised publicly, or created impossible standards
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Being set up to fail
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Gaslighting or constant criticism
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Hostile work environments
Public Failures:
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Presentations that went wrong
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Visible mistakes in front of senior leaders
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Missing critical targets or losing key clients
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Projects that failed spectacularly
Imposter Syndrome Incidents:
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Performance reviews that felt crushing
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Being passed over for promotion
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Moments that confirmed your fear of being "found out"
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Comparisons to colleagues that triggered inadequacy
Perfectionism Breaking Points:
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The mistake that proved you're not good enough
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Feedback that reinforced impossible standards
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Burnout from trying to be flawless
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EMDR can also help with personal experiences:
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A panic attack during an important moment.
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A medical procedure or health scare.
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A car accident or near-miss.
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A sudden loss or bereavement.
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Witnessing something distressing.
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Fear and phobias with a trigger event:
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Fear of flying after turbulence.
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Fear of public speaking after a bad experience.
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Social anxiety after a humiliating moment.
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What Happens in EMDR?
EMDR is structured and time-limited. Here's what to expect:
Stage 1 - Assessment & Preparation:
We start by talking about what you're experiencing and identify the specific incidents to target. I teach you grounding techniques so you feel safe before memory work begins.
You're in control. You decide when you're ready.
Stage 2 - EMDR Processing:
This is where the memory work happens. You'll briefly focus on the distressing incident while using bilateral stimulation (eye movements or tapping). Between sets, you report what you notice.
The memory typically becomes less vivid, less triggering. Most clients describe it as feeling "smaller" or "further away."
You don't have to describe every detail. The processing happens internally.
Stage 3 - Integration & Ongoing Support
Once the trauma is processed, we can work on rebuilding confidence, addressing perfectionism or imposter syndrome, or integrating coaching for career transitions.
Some clients finish after EMDR. Others continue with therapy or coaching. It depends on what you need.
Why EMDR With Me
Most EMDR therapists can treat your trauma.
I can treat your trauma AND understand the corporate context it happened in.
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I've lived corporate life - 25 years at American Express, FedEx and the tech space in senior sales and leadership roles. I know what redundancy feels like. I know what impossible targets do. I understand the specific trauma of professional life.
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Dual qualification - I'm a BACP Accredited psychotherapist & Life Coach. If EMDR brings up broader patterns (perfectionism, imposter syndrome, burnout), we can work with them. If you need practical strategies for moving forward, I integrate coaching.
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Workplace trauma specialty - This isn't generic EMDR. This is EMDR specifically for incidents that happen at work.
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Direct but warm - I don't waste your time. Every session has a plan and practical shifts alongside emotional understanding.
Online only, West Yorkshire based - Accessible across the UK. No commute. Fits your schedule.
Investment
EMDR for Workplace Trauma: £95 per 60 minutes
Most workplace trauma can be processed in 6-8 sessions. Total investment: £570 - 760.
This is typically faster than traditional therapy (which often takes 12-20+ sessions for trauma).
The hourly rate is higher, but total cost is often less because EMDR works more quickly.
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What Clients Report After EMDR
After successful EMDR processing, clients typically describe:
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Being able to think about the incident without the same physical or emotional intensity
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Feeling calmer in situations that previously triggered anxiety
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The memory feeling more distant—"something that happened" rather than "something that's still happening"
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Being able to engage with situations they'd been avoiding (presenting, speaking up, taking opportunities)
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Normal professional nerves rather than overwhelming dread
Common Questions about EMDR
Q: Will I have to describe the incident in detail?
No. I need to know what we're targeting, but you don't have to recount the entire event. The processing happens while you hold the memory in mind, you can do this silently.
Q: Does EMDR work online?
Yes. Research shows online EMDR is as effective as in-person. I use a app called Bilateral Base and it replicates exactly what you would experience if we were face to face. I'd be happy to show you how it works during a discovery call if this helps.
Q: What if it doesn't work?
EMDR has strong research evidence, but no therapy works for everyone. If EMDR doesn't seem to be helping after 3-4 processing sessions, we'll talk honestly about other approaches. Because I'm also a psychotherapist and coach, we have options.
Q: Do you work with complex trauma?
Currently I'm EMDR Part 1 trained, which means I work with single-incident workplace trauma. At the moment I don't work with complex trauma (multiple incidents over time) or childhood abuse. If you're unsure whether your situation fits, book a free consultation and I'll tell you honestly.
Ready to see if EMDR can help?
Book a free 15-minute consultation.
We'll talk about:
- What incident is at the root of your anxiety
- Whether EMDR is the right approach
- How many sessions you might need
- What to expect from the process
- Any questions you have
There's no pressure. I'll be honest about whether EMDR can help or if another approach would be better.