It probably comes as no surprise that I have a deep fascination with the human brain and how different therapeutic approaches can change it. The idea that a structured intervention can physically alter neural pathways in our brain, shift stress responses, and dissolve long-held behavioural patterns is, to me, fascinating. The topic I will talk about today is EMDR, as not only is it an incredible therapeutic modality, but the science behind it is also extraordinary.

Introduction

One of the reasons that I pursued clinical training after my PhD (and continue to) is my deep fascination with how the brain and body become rewired by experience. Not just traumatic experience, but all of it - the mundane, the joyful, the devastating and everything in between.  A question that drives a lot of my work is what happens when this rewiring might work against us – and whether it can be undone.

Neuroplasticity (also known as brain plasticity or neural plasticity), is often described as the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt and change in response to life’s experiences. It is, in my opinion is one of the most interesting discoveries in neuroscience and large part of my PhD research.

The human brain is a remarkable organ - capable of adapting, learning, and forming new connections throughout life. In recent years, neuroscience has deepened our understanding of neuroplasticity: the brain’s ability to rewire itself in response to experience…

You may have heard the idea that the brain doesn’t know the difference between imagination and reality. It’s a claim often used to support the power of visualisation - suggesting that simply imagining an experience can rewire the brain as if it actually happened.