When Your Child is Always on Guard: How EMDR Can Help “Reset” the Anxious Brain
By Juna Brookes | Child and Young Adult Therapy Specialist It is a common experience for parents of teenagers: you head out for a day that is supposed to be fun—perhaps a trip to the city, a concert, or a busy stadium. Yet, while the rest of the world seems to be...
Your Brain’s Secret Security Team: The “Bodyguards” Who Sometimes Overreact
Ever had a day where you just snapped at someone? Or maybe you’ve been on the receiving end of a parent’s random mood swing or a friend’s "cold shoulder"? In therapy-speak, we call these defense mechanisms. But in real life, they are basically Mental Bodyguards. They...
The Silent Wall: Can EMDR Help an Emotionally Unavailable Partner Heal from Childhood Neglect?
Recently, someone reached out to me with a heart-wrenching question that resonates with so many partners across the UK: "My husband was emotionally neglected by both of his parents as a child. He is now emotionally unavailable to me in our marriage. He’s dismissive...
The Child Who Worries About Everything: Why Logic Won’t Fix Anxiety (But EMDR Might)
If your child worries about everything, you’re not alone — and you’re definitely not failing as a parent. One day it’s tummy aches. The next day it’s tears at the school gate. Some mornings, just getting shoes on feels like an Olympic event. Naturally, parents try...
The Emotional Toolkit: How Positive Resourcing & EMDR Can Reset Your Nervous System
Have you ever felt like life is just a bit much? Like your "emotional battery" is flashing red, and you’re struggling to find the energy to deal with even the small things? As a therapist, I see this all the time. We spend so much time focusing on our problems, our...
For Parents of the “Angry” or “Acting Out” Child: Understanding What’s Really Going On
If your child often seems angry, aggressive, or out of control, you are not alone. Many parents feel confused, exhausted, and even guilty when their child hits, screams, refuses to listen, or melts down over small things. You may wonder, “Why is my child behaving this...
What Is EMDR Therapy and How Does It Help Children and Teens?
Children and teenagers go through many emotional experiences while...
Pet Loss Trauma: Why It’s Real and How Therapy Can Help You
Let’s talk about the kind of heartbreak that doesn’t always get taken seriously. The bowl is still on the floor. Their bed is still in the corner. Your brain knows they’re gone, but your heart hasn’t quite caught up yet. And somehow, you’re expected to carry on like...
How to Get Over a Fear of Blood: Understanding, Managing, and Overcoming Hemophobia
Most people don’t enjoy the sight of blood. But for some, even a tiny drop from a paper cut can send their heart racing and make their knees feel like jelly. If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with hemophobia, which simply means a strong fear of blood. The...
How Can EMDR Help With Relationship OCD?
If you have a Relationship OCD (often called ROCD), you already know it can feel like your brain has turned into a full-time relationship detective—one that you did not hire. It constantly asks questions like, “Do I really love my partner?”, “Are they the right one?”,...