Welcome to my trauma-focused therapy site, where you can find out more about the services I offer for anxiety, stress and post-traumatic difficulties. I have long experience in working with these problems in talking therapy and EMDR, and this website helps you to understand what you might expect if you opt for the EMDR route.

 

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitizing and Reprocessing) is a focused, powerful and effective way of working with trauma and distressing experiences, offering a real possibility of meaningful change. EMDR sessions are structured and collaborative.

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I work in person in a professional, dedicated space in Alnwick, Northumberland, using state of the art equipment to deliver EMDR.

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I also offer EMDR online, using Zoom together with software used in EMDR.​ This means that:

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• sessions take place from your own space

• there is no physical contact

• you remain in control throughout

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What happens in a session

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You’ll be invited to focus on a memory, image, bodily sensation or feeling while following simple left–right cues. These might involve eye movements, sounds, tapping, or other forms of ‘bilateral stimulation’, and you’ll choose the method that feels most comfortable for you.

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This process is thought to help the brain process distressing experiences in a way that reduces their emotional intensity in a similar way to the phase of REM when you sleep. You keep the memory, but it often feels less intrusive or overwhelming.

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There is no hypnosis involved, and no need to talk in detail about everything that has happened to you. You remain in control at all times and can pause or stop the process whenever you need to.

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I also offer other trauma-focused counselling, grounded in many years of NHS and private practice, and you can find details of my practice at ​https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/ruth-mcilroy

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​​​More about EMDR

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A collaborative way of working

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​EMDR begins with an assessment phase, which usually takes one or two sessions. This is not simply a screening process. It’s a way of beginning to get to know one another and thinking carefully about what will be most helpful for you.

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​During assessment we take time to:

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• understand what’s troubling you now

• consider how trauma may be affecting you now (for example when the present collides with the past, sometimes called triggering)

• think together about your capacity to work with trauma at this time

• develop ways of helping you feel grounded and supported

• think together about whether EMDR is the right approach, or whether another trauma-focused therapy would be more helpful

 

Safety and pacing

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EMDR is safe when practised by a trained and experienced therapist. I work at a pace that feels manageable for you, paying close attention to how you’re coping both during sessions and in between.

 

How long does EMDR take?

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There isn’t a standard number of sessions.

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Some people focus on a small number of specific experiences; others are working with more complex or longstanding trauma and benefit from a more gradual approach. Factors such as current stability, support outside therapy, and life stress all play a role.

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How does EMDR work online?

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We will be on a normal Zoom call. If we are using light stimulation (a moving dot), you will use a split screen on your laptop or tablet, so that you have 2 windows top and bottom, created by means of resizing your windows on the screen. If you choose sound stimulation (from one ear to the other), you’ll use earphones instead, and this may be the best option if you are using a phone. There are other methods if you prefer a simple approach, using  your device just for the Zoom call.​​​​​​​​​

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About me

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Ruth McIlroy BSc Reg NCPS (Snr Accred) Counsellor and Supervisor

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I’ve been working as a counsellor since 2002, in the NHS and in private practice. I’ve worked as an EMDR and trauma-focused therapist since 2012. I am a fully accredited practitioner member of the EMDR Association UK.

Qualifications

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• BSc (Hons) Person-Centred Psychotherapy

• Advanced Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Skills

• Post-Graduate Diploma in Supervision

• EMDR Europe qualified practitioner

• EMDR UK member​

 

You can view my broader counselling practice on Counselling Directory.

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/ruth-mcilroy

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Who I work with: Adults

Sessions: Mondays–Wednesdays, daytime and early evening

Fees: £55 per 60-minute session

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Next steps

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If you’re considering EMDR and would like to explore whether it’s suitable for you, you’re very welcome to get in touch to arrange an initial session. Phone 07880 864354, or email ramcilroy5@gmail.com

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