Somatic EMDR Therapy in Walton-on-Thames
Gentle Trauma Healing Through Mind–Body Connection
Sometimes the past lives quietly within us — not as clear memories, but as feelings we can’t quite explain. Maybe you wake with tension in your chest, feel anxious without knowing why, or notice old fears showing up in new situations. These responses often come from experiences that were too much for your body or mind to process at the time.
Somatic EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) helps you release those old imprints so that your whole system can relax again. It combines the proven science of EMDR with the sensitivity of somatic (body-based) awareness, creating a pathway for deep and lasting recovery.
I offer Somatic EMDR therapy for clients in Walton-on-Thames, with appointments available in-person in Weybridge or online via Zoom, depending on your comfort and schedule.
What Somatic EMDR Does
When something overwhelming happens, the brain’s natural processing system can become interrupted. The event isn’t stored like a normal memory — instead, it remains “stuck” in the nervous system, linked with the physical sensations and emotions felt at that time. You might find yourself reacting to everyday stress as if the danger were still present.
Somatic EMDR helps the body and brain reconnect. Through bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements, gentle tapping, or sound) and grounding exercises, we allow both hemispheres of the brain to communicate and complete unfinished processing. At the same time, somatic awareness helps you notice and release what the body has been holding — the tension, breath-holding, or frozen energy that kept you on alert.
As sessions progress, many clients experience a deep sense of relief and renewed calm. The body no longer feels trapped in survival mode, and the mind can finally understand the past as something that has ended.
Why Choose Somatic EMDR in Walton-on-Thames
The strength of Somatic EMDR lies in its ability to reach beyond words. You don’t have to retell your story or describe every detail of what happened. Instead, therapy focuses on how your system responds now, guiding it safely back to balance.
People come to this work for many reasons — sudden trauma, childhood experiences, burnout, or simply a sense of emotional exhaustion. Whatever brings you here, the process is grounded in compassion, pacing, and choice. Each session is shaped around your readiness and your body’s natural rhythm.
Somatic EMDR can support you if you’re dealing with:
Persistent anxiety or panic
Grief and loss
Relationship trauma or betrayal
Chronic stress and burnout
Physical tension or unexplained fatigue
A sense of disconnection or numbness
About Cherie
I’m Cherie James, a trauma-informed therapist offering Somatic EMDR to clients in Walton-on-Thames, Weybridge, and online. My practice is shaped by lived experience — I understand how pain, stress, and loss can affect every part of life, and I know the courage it takes to begin healing.
Before becoming a therapist, I worked for many years in demanding corporate and creative industries, where I witnessed the impact of chronic pressure on both mind and body. Now, my focus is helping people find relief and reconnection through methods that truly work — blending EMDR, somatic awareness, and Cognitive Hypnotherapy when appropriate.
How Sessions Work
Therapy begins with a gentle consultation to understand what you’d like to change. We create safety first — learning grounding techniques and body-based tools to manage emotion. When you’re ready, we use EMDR’s structured process to reprocess specific memories or sensations while staying connected to the present.
You are always in control. Each step is designed to support empowerment, not overwhelm. With time, you’ll likely notice shifts in how you think, feel, and respond — greater ease in the body, clearer thinking, and more emotional space for joy, rest, and connection.
Appointments
In-person sessions: held in Weybridge, an easy drive from Walton-on-Thames and the surrounding Surrey areas.
Online sessions: available via Zoom, offering the same depth of support from your own home.
Whether you prefer face-to-face or remote sessions, therapy is tailored to your needs and rhythm.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to talk about my trauma in detail?
No. Somatic EMDR focuses on how your body and mind hold the memory, not on recounting events. You’ll never be asked to go beyond what feels safe or manageable.
2. How is Somatic EMDR different from standard EMDR?
It brings the body into the healing process. By combining physical awareness, grounding, and bilateral stimulation, it resolves both emotional and physiological responses tied to past stress.
3. Can Somatic EMDR be combined with other therapies?
Yes. Many clients pair it with Cognitive Hypnotherapy or mindfulness-based approaches for deeper integration. The focus is always on what supports your individual healing journey.