Optima York

13/04/2026

Another group of EMDR course delegates began their training journey last weekend. Loads of interest, motivation and energy from every person - I am looking forward to Module 2 and hearing how their casework is going!
This group will re-join for more in-person training at the end of May where they will add to their knowledge of the EMDR protocol, by focussing on attachment-focussed EMDR, how to integrate Parts work and the Flash Technique.
If you are interested in taking part in our unique EMDR course, please visit our website for details:

4 Modules To Advance Your Expertise This short course is divided into 4 modules. Modules 1 and 3 are delivered in person and are both of two days duration (Fridays and Saturdays) between 9.30am and 4.30pm Modules 2 and 4 are delivered online, on Saturdays between 9.30am and 12.30pm Module 1Overview....

05/01/2026

We have two intakes this year for our EMDR course. This course is endorsed by the CPCAB and is open to non-accredited counsellors, coaches and other practitioners in therapeutic roles.

Spring course (limited places remaining):
Module 1 (in-person): 11th & 12th April 2026
Module 2 (online): 9th May 2026
Module 3(in-person): 29th & 30th May 2026
Module 4 (online): 27th June 2026

Autumn course:
Module 1 (in-person): 11th & 12th September 2026
Module 2 (online): 17th October 2026
Module 3 (in-person): 13th & 14th November 2026
Module 4 (online): 12th December 2026

The in-person modules take place in York city centre, giving the opportunity to have an extended weekend break in this beautiful city!

For details of the course content, FAQs, fees and how to book a place, please visit our website:

Specialised - Motivating - Educational A family run business that specialises in offering:1) EMDR training courses based in the heart of York2) Individual sessions in EMDR psychotherapy3) EMDR Supervision4) Performance-related executive coaching for individuals and teams Enhance Your Practice with E...

08/12/2025

Looking for a course that will equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to use EMDR in your client work? Our course at Optima York is endorsed by the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body(CPCAB) and is run over 4 modules. Two of these are in-person training events over two days in York UK, giving delegates the opportunity to have a weekend in this historical city. There are a few places left to book on the next intake in April 2026.
For more details, please visit our website:

4 Modules To Advance Your Expertise This short course is divided into 4 modules. Modules 1 and 3 are delivered in person and are both of two days duration (Fridays and Saturdays). Modules 2 and 4 are delivered online, each a half-day on Saturdays. Module 1Overview of EMDR therapyThe impact and signs...

02/11/2025

FREE EMDR WORKSHOP:
For members of the Counselling Directory, I am hosting a free 'Introduction to EMDR' lunchtime workshop on Friday 7th November 2025 - 12pm to 1pm. For those wishing to attend, please log into your Counselling Directory account, view the workshop under 'Workshops and Events' and send an RSVP. Hope to see you online on Friday!

19/09/2025

EMDR Training in York.
The dates have been set for our next training course! Hope you can join us in 2026:
Module 1 (in-person training in York, UK) on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th April 2026
Module 2 (online half day) on Saturday 9th May 2026
Module 3 (in-person training in York, UK) on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th May 2026
Module 4 (online half day) on Saturday 27th June 2026

For more details of the course, please visit our website:

4 Modules To Advance Your Expertise This short course is divided into 4 modules. Modules 1 and 3 are delivered in person and are both of two days duration (Fridays and Saturdays). Modules 2 and 4 are delivered online, each a half-day on Saturdays. Module 1Overview of EMDR therapyThe impact and signs...

05/08/2025

There is still room to book your place on our EMDR training course starting in September. This course will prepare you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to use EMDR safely with your clients. The course is endorsed by the CPCAB and is 30 hours CPD. For more details please visit our website:

4 Modules To Advance Your Expertise This short course is divided into 4 modules. Modules 1 and 3 are delivered in person and are both of two days duration (Fridays and Saturdays). Modules 2 and 4 are delivered online, each a half-day on Saturdays. Module 1Overview of EMDR therapyThe impact and signs...

15/07/2025

There are a few places left on our September 2025 EMDR course, which will be the last one this year! This course not only includes a through grounding on the 8-phase EMDR protocol, but also how to work with attachment deficits and how to integrate EMDR with Internal Family Systems.
This course is unique, highly practical and enables practitioners to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to use EMDR with a wide range of presenting issues.
For more information, please visit our website:

4 Modules To Advance Your Expertise This short course is divided into 4 modules. Modules 1 and 3 are delivered in person and are both of two days duration (Fridays and Saturdays). Modules 2 and 4 are delivered online, each a half-day on Saturdays. Module 1Overview of EMDR therapyThe impact and signs...

12/06/2025

Already trained in EMDR?
This post is for those who may have trained some time ago and are out of practice or lacking in confidence in using EMDR in client work. I am opening up opportunities to attend individual modules of my EMDR training course.

For those wanting a refresher on the 8-phase protocol, Module 1 is for you. This covers the impact of trauma on the brain, theories underpinning EMDR, then goes straight into the practical aspects of preparing the client, selecting and assessing the target memories, processing, and installing new insights. Lots of skills practice as both client and therapist to re-build your confidence in a safe environment. Module 1 costs £350 for a 2-day in-person workshop in York. Our next Module 1 course runs on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th September 2025.

For those wanting to develop their EMDR skills further with more complex client work, Module 3 is for you. This covers working with shame, attachment deficits and those who struggle to access key memories. I introduce elements of attachment-focussed EMDR and how to integrate Internal Family Systems with EMDR (no prior training of IFS required). Again, lots of skills practice sessions in a safe and supportive environment. Module 3 costs £350 for a 2-day in-person workshop in York.
Our next Module 3 course runs on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th June 2025 (after that in December 2025).

Visit our website for more details:

4 Modules To Advance Your Expertise This short course is divided into 4 modules. Modules 1 and 3 are delivered in person and are both of two days duration (Fridays and Saturdays). Modules 2 and 4 are delivered online, each a half-day on Saturdays. Module 1Overview of EMDR therapyThe impact and signs...

07/06/2025

Module 2 of our EMDR course ran today. This is a group supervision session for delegates to discuss their first steps in using the EMDR protocol. The message from Module 1 that preparing the client, in terms of grounding and stabilisation, is THE most important phase in EMDR has clearly been taken on board.

Some excellent examples of working with clients to create strong inner resources, and use of the 'tapping in' method. It was also great to see delegates offering to help each other with practice sessions in-between trainings. Another lovely group to work with!

I am looking forward to Module 3 later this month where we will move on to more complex cases, working with attachment-focussed EMDR and how to work effectively with blocks and resistance.

If you would like to train in EMDR, visit our website for details of our next course starting in September 2025:

4 Modules To Advance Your Expertise This short course is divided into 4 modules. Modules 1 and 3 are delivered in person and are both of two days duration (Fridays and Saturdays). Modules 2 and 4 are delivered online, each a half-day on Saturdays. Module 1Overview of EMDR therapyThe impact and signs...

07/05/2025

EMDR is not limited to dealing with traumatic memories locked in the past. EMDR can help your clients to deal with issues based in the past, present and the future. For example:

A client is worried after being asked to give a presentation at work. They fret about something that hasn't even happened, and they imagine all sorts of negative scenarios. They are sure they will make a mess of it, ruining their reputation and self-esteem.

By tracking their emotions and bodily sensations, the client uncovers a memory of when they were in primary school and they had to read out loud in front of the class. They fluffed one word and heard someone laugh. They internalised this 'failure' with the negative belief "I can't speak in front of people".

EMDR is used to process the early memory of speaking in front of the class. The bi-lateral simulation enables all parts of the brain to engage, helping the client unlock new insights and understandings such as "So I fluffed one word, it's no big deal!", "It's not important now", "I made one kid laugh, and actually it was quite funny".

The therapist helps the client to experience that memory alongside these new beliefs, allowing the nervous system to be 'updated'. The client is then invited to imagine the forthcoming presentation alongside these positive beliefs and how things look and feel when the event goes well!

Uncovering and re-processing these simple events can have a transformational effect on our clients. If you would like to learn how to use EMDR effectively, our next course starts in September 2025:

4 Modules To Advance Your Expertise This short course is divided into 4 modules. Modules 1 and 3 are delivered in person and are both of two days duration (Fridays and Saturdays). Modules 2 and 4 are delivered online, each a half-day on Saturdays. Module 1Overview of EMDR therapyThe impact and signs...

13/04/2025

Due to expressions of interest in our EMDR training, a further course has been arranged starting in September 2025! Please visit our website for details:

4 Modules To Advance Your Expertise This short course is divided into 4 modules. Modules 1 and 3 are delivered in person and are both of two days duration (Fridays and Saturdays). Modules 2 and 4 are delivered online, each a half-day on Saturdays. Module 1Overview of EMDR therapyThe impact and signs...