EMDR for Sexual issues

One of the core therapies that I use with clients is EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy. When I first came across this therapy around 15 years ago I thought it sounded bizarre and pretty much discounted it. When I met a small number of clients who had experienced negative affects from this approach I made negative judgements about it. However in 2018 I took the plunge and trained in levels 1 to 3 because I was becoming increasingly frustrated of my inability to help a small number of my complex trauma clients who seemed permanently stuck. EMDR has been a game changer in my therapy work!

EMDR focuses on reprocessing negative memories / thoughts / physical sensations and replacing them with believable positive thoughts. This occurs through a process known as bi-lateral stimulation which can be delivered via eye movements, noises or tapping.

When we think of sexual issues we can be tricked into believing the issues are occurring purely in the present. Lots of therapists take this approach in their work however this is not the way I work. I help my clients to understand how what is happening in the hear and now is often linked to various other experiences in the past and as a result we work on past, present and future within sessions.

EMDR can help those who have experienced trauma of any kind to reduce shame and any other trauma symptoms. We can use it to address anxieties that are triggering erectile dysfunction and rapid ejaculation. We can use it to process the sense of failure associated with our bodies not responding how we believe they "should" (a common issue in vaginismus for example). EMDR is a great approach for those who are using porn / sex / chatrooms excessively as it allows us to heal the core pain that these behaviours are masking. When we use EMDR in sex therapy we clear out all the crap from the past and create a positive and healthy template for future sex!

I could probably go on about EMDR for hours but that would be rather dull! It is an amazing approach though (and although not suitable for everyone) is well worth considering as you explore what kind of therapy would work for you.

If you would like more information on how EMDR might help you get to where you want to be, drop me an email at drnicholamarchant@gmail.com

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