DR WOJCIECH GREG GIERYNSKI
EMDR / TRAUMA THERAPY
WHAT IS EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy that helps your brain process and heal from trauma, stress, or painful memories that feel stuck, so they become less upsetting and don’t affect you as much anymore. It’s kind of like helping your brain "digest" a bad experience that got stuck.
HOW DOES EMDR WORK?
When a disturbing event occurs, it can get locked in the brain in an isolated memory network, along with the original images, sounds, thoughts, and feelings. This prevents natural processing and learning from taking place. As a result, unprocessed material is dysfunctionally held or trapped in memory networks and continues to be triggered over and over again.
In another part of your brain, in separate networks, the resources and information you need to resolve that dysfunctional material are stored — but they’re blocked from linking up with the old memory. EMDR helps connect these networks, allowing the brain to process and heal.
THE STRUCTURE AND DURATION OF THE EMDR THERAPY
In the initial phase (typically 1 to 3 sessions), I’ll invite you to talk me through your personal history—focusing on the most challenging experiences, but also highlighting your strengths, achievements, and the things you’re proud of. This helps create a fuller picture of who you are and what matters to you.
Next, we’ll move into the EMDR PREPARATION PHASE, where we focus on building emotional safety. This includes developing your SAFE PLACE and other inner resources you may find helpful during the processing work.
The length of the main therapy phase—where we begin processing traumatic, stressful, or painful memories—varies from person to person. It depends on how many issues you choose to explore and how much material you’d like to process (or, in other words, how much emotional baggage you’re ready to release).
Throughout the process, we go at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.
When we begin processing, I’ll gently guide you on where to start. As we do sets of eye movements or tapping (whichever feels best for you), your role is simply to notice whatever comes up—without trying to hold onto it, analyse it, or make it mean something. This might include memories, thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations. Whatever arises is just right. Be curious, stay open, and let your mind do what it needs to do. There’s no need to force anything—this process allows your brain to unlock and begin naturally processing the stored information.
Sometimes, noticeable changes will occur during a set; other times, it may feel like nothing is happening at all. You might be very aware of what’s coming up, or you may only notice the sensation of the eye movements or taps. All of that is perfectly okay. There are no right or wrong responses. Try not to judge what you're experiencing—just observe it, and let me know what came up when I pause the set.
Processing with EMDR is a bit like sitting safely on a train, watching the scenery go by through the window. Imagine that you're on this train carrying heavy luggage from your past—painful experiences that are chained and locked. You don’t yet have the right tools to unlock them. But as the scenery (memories, emotions, insights) moves past during the processing, your brain may begin to recognize helpful information—clues to "break the code." At the “stations” along your journey (the moments we pause and check in), you may find you're able to leave behind pieces of that old baggage. And by the end of your journey—your EMDR therapy—you might discover that you're no longer carrying what once felt so heavy.
All you need to do is observe and notice what your mind presents to you during the processing sets. Your brain already holds the answers—it just needs help connecting the dots to the material that’s been stuck.
As we move through the sets of eye movements or taps, remember: we are only processing old stuff. It might feel very real in the moment, but these are just memories that have been locked in your brain. No new negativity is being added—in fact, it's the opposite: you're releasing what no longer serves you. Any discomfort that arises is simply a sign that your mind is letting go of that old material.
Instead of reliving past pain over and over, EMDR gives you a chance to let it move through—and finally, move on.
GETTING READY FOR EYE MOVEMENTS IN YOUR ONLINE EMDR SESSION
Before your online session, find a quiet and private space where you won’t be disturbed for up to 90 minutes. Set up a comfortable place to sit, with your mobile, tablet, or laptop positioned in front of you—ideally facing a blank wall approximately 1.5 to 2 meters away.
On that wall, place two Post-it notes at eye level, about 1.5 to 2 meters apart. These will guide your eye movements during the session.
During the processing phase, I will play a metronome-like sound and ask you to gently shift your gaze back and forth between the two Post-its, following the rhythm of the sound.