How CBT and EMDR can help with panic attacks

Both CBT and EMDR have been shown to be effective in treating panic attacks. The choice of which therapy to use will depend on the individual's specific needs and preferences, and may be determined in consultation with an accredited therapist.

CBT focuses on identifying the negative thoughts and beliefs and unhelpful coping strategies which maintain panic attacks. Once these have been identified, the therapist and the client work to make appropriate changes. This can help individuals learn to manage their panic symptoms and reduce their fear of panic attacks.

EMDR helps individuals process traumatic events that may be contributing to their panic attacks. Through the use of bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds), EMDR helps individuals reprocess traumatic memories, reducing the emotional intensity associated with them. This can lead to a decrease in the frequency and severity of panic attacks.

Sarah begins using CBT as the primary treatment using an evidence based protocol. If there are still traumatic memories contributing to the panic attacks, Sarah will then change to using EMDR if the client wishes.

Metacognitive Therapy (MCT)

Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is a psychotherapeutic approach that focuses on changing the way people think about their thoughts, rather than directly targeting the thoughts themselves. The underlying assumption of MCT is that negative thoughts and emotions are not the cause of psychological distress, but rather the way in which people respond to them.

The therapy aims to teach individuals how to recognize and regulate their thoughts and beliefs about their thoughts, also known as metacognition. This involves identifying and challenging maladaptive patterns of thinking, such as rumination or worrying, and developing more adaptive ways of responding to one's thoughts.

MCT has been found to be effective in treating a range of psychological issues, including OCD, generalised anxiety, panic attacks, health anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. It has also been shown to be effective in reducing rumination, worry, and over-thinking.

Overall, MCT is a therapy that offers a unique approach to treating psychological distress. By targeting metacognitive processes, rather than the content of thoughts, MCT may provide a more sustainable and long-lasting solution for those struggling with negative thoughts and emotions.

CBT and EMDR for Social Anxiety

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can be effective treatments for social anxiety.

CBT aims to help to identify and modify negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to their social anxiety. The therapy also involves exposure exercises that gradually expose the person to social situations they fear, helping them to build confidence and overcome their anxiety.

EMDR, on the other hand, involves using bilateral stimulation such as eye movements, sounds or taps to help the person reprocess traumatic experiences or negative beliefs related to social situations. This can help to reduce the intensity of negative emotions associated with social anxiety.

I always begin with CBT and may move on to EMDR depending on a client’s individual needs and preference.

How can I help you with OCD?

For so many people it can feel like a daily battle with OCD. Wanting to get better and at the same time feeling scared to make changes. I have been helping clients recover from OCD for a long time and I know how hard it can seem to try to treat yourself. On the one hand the advice via self-help books, social media and other sources can seem promising and encouraging but actually putting it into practice on your own can be tough. One recurring problem I have noticed is that techniques drawn from different approaches are not always compatible and when used together may cancel each other out. Another common problem appears to be people almost managing to put something into practice but just getting it slightly wrong. This can be so deflating when you think you are putting in so much effort for something to simply not work. 

So we need to help you get on the right track for you, focusing on one specific treatment plan and refining what you have been trying out already. This can make it seem less confusing because you know where you are going and what the rationale is for your treatment. OCD is a solvable problem.

In OCD compulsions are acts that you repeat over and over again in response to an obsession. E.g., checking, repeating acts, mental rituals, counting, ordering or arranging. Common obsessions that I work with:

• Sexual thoughts or images 

• Fear of contamination from germs, viruses, bodily fluids, sticky substances etc

• Thoughts or images of violence e.g. stabbing someone you love, cutting yourself with a knife

• Excessive concern with exactness, order or symmetry

• Obsessions with the body or physical symptoms 

• Recurrent thoughts about life and death e.g. why do I exist and what will happen after I die?

What is remote therapy?

Remote therapy is any kind of therapy where the therapist and the client are not present in the same physical space. In the past, this has most regularly been over the telephone. However, in recent years, with improvements in online connections, this is increasingly resulting in therapy delivered by online video software.

Sarah offers online therapy using two online solutions. Both have secure end-to-end encryption, are GDPR compliant and are designed with the delivery of telehealth in mind.

The first is called Zoom and you will have seen this in action if you have watched any TV News in the past few days as this is the platform used by the UK Government for their remote press briefings.

The second is called VSee and this platform is used by over 1000 telemedicine companies worldwide as well as being the video platform used by NASA for communicating with the International Space Station.

Both of these platforms have associated apps available from the usual app stores for your devices.

Sarah makes use of both because if one has problems, then it is easy to swiftly change over to the other and to continue with the therapy session. Similarly, Sarah has routers from two different high-speed internet providers to ensure that if one is having problems, it is possible to change over to the other.

If you are looking for therapy during these difficult times, please feel free to make contact with Sarah on 07817 223669 to discuss availability.