EMDR Cork Counselling Psychotherapy Larry O'Reilly , Robert's Cove, Cork, County Cork P17 FR52

"My name is Niamh and I am a student counsellor from Waterford. During my counselling training, I realised that I was carrying past trauma and needed to attend to some personal issues. After 50+ hours of talk therapy, I was still struggling with anxiety and frequent panic attacks. This led me to learn about EMDR therapy and its potential benefits. In June 2022, I contacted Larry O’Reilly at the Access Wellness Centre, Co. Cork. After a long struggle with trauma symptoms, I was eager to find help so I booked in for a 3 day EMDR intensive following my initial consultation. From the outset, Larry seemed friendly, encouraging and confident that he could assist me. He was generous with his time and good to pick up the phone if I had any questions. I shared my story and was assured that 4-5 EMDR sessions should be sufficient. Unfortunately, due a variety of issues that arose during treatment, this assessment proved incorrect. First of all, I arrived at the chosen venue for my very first session and Larry did not show up. He had failed to notify me in advance of his cancellation due to personal circumstances. As a nervous client, I was disappointed but willing to give it a second chance so I re-scheduled my consultation. Soon after, we proceeded to the 3 day intensive program but there were other aspects of the work that I experienced as unprofessional during this time. Larry had forgotten I was staying for the 3 days, made inappropriate jokes/comments during our sessions and displayed poor time management skills. The pacing of the sessions was way too fast and intense for me as a client. Our Tuesday morning session went on for 3 hours with no breaks, diving head first into traumatic material. As a result, I became emotionally flooded by the middle of day 2. Despite expressing overwhelm on my return, we continued “processing” that evening for 2 more hours. Over the two days I attended, we completed a total of 10 contact hours. As a therapist, one has the professional responsibility to keep the client safe and work within their window of tolerance. For me, this level of activation was a re-traumatising experience so I decided to terminate treatment that evening. Despite his initial confidence, I genuinely felt Larry did not know how to help me once I entered a state of overwhelm. It was as if we opened a can of worms and didn’t know how to put them back in again. Larry seemed to back-track on his initial statements, suggesting that the process might take longer than expected and that I might have complex PTSD. At this point, I felt disappointed and disillusioned due to Larry’s previous promotion of his abilities. According to the IACP code of ethics, therapists should “avoid offering clients a false or unreasonable expectation of therapy”. Additionally, one should “avoid exaggeration about therapeutic competency and expertise in the services offered”. Although I found Larry to be a caring person who genuinely wanted to help, I cannot unfortunately recommend this service for trauma treatment. When I returned home, I was devastated and in shock. I wanted to write a review in July but I had no idea how to put my experience into words. I was worried I would not be believed and seen to be exaggerating my experience. Fortunately, I have since found an EMDR practitioner in my local area and we are slowly but surely making progress. I attend weekly sessions and the work feels much safer and more contained. I have experienced a substantial reduction in symptoms and I am feeling hopeful about the future. Through this experience, I have learned that while EMDR can be effective in the short term, it is not an overnight job. A solid therapeutic relationship, client safety and mindful pacing are key ingredients for positive outcomes. To those of you looking for help – Remember that healing from trauma takes a mountain of courage and hard work so make sure you are comfortable and in safe hands. Slow and steady wins the race."

"For years I've been trying different types of therapies to work through my childhood trauma. I was at a stage where I felt that nothing could help me. My psychiatrists kept putting me on all sorts of medication but they weren't effective. I got to a point where I just wanted to get myself committed into a hospital - but even the hospital that supposedly treats PTSD told me my case is too severe and they are unable to help me. I've had EMDR therapists tell me the same. I remember when I first spoke to Larry and told him this, he told me he understood what I've been going through, and to give this a chance to see if it would help me, and he was positive it would. I liked his positive attitude, and how he'd explain the science behind the things he'd say. He put in the effort to build a genuine connection and was extremely patient and kind. I felt at ease during our sessions; he was comforting, understanding and non judgemental. I couldn't imagine being able to move past my trauma but Larry proved otherwise. I'm extremely grateful for all your help Larry, everyone in my life has noticed the positive change in me. It's incredible. Down to the smallest things.. I can actually sleep through the night and wake up feeling like I've slept well. I've never had that before! Thank you so much for turning my life around. I never thought it's possible, thank you for being an amazing human being and helping people like me break free from their trauma and be truly happy."

"I found Larry to be an incredibly easy person to engage with, yet highly professional. I have had experience of counselling before but always felt there were areas I couldn’t access as I couldn’t remember large parts of my childhood. The benefits I have received through the EMDR experience with Larry have been substantial, even in this initial period. I have a marked calmness and clarity in my thoughts. The feeling that something negative is hanging over me, driving me on, is gone. How I feel about myself has also fundamentally changed for the better. Overall, this has been a wonderfully healing, unexpected and interesting journey. I would without reservation, recommend EMDR and Larry O Reilly to anyone who is struggling with the effects of trauma or other damaging experiences in their lives."

"I have been to 5 sessions with Larry to work through childhood trauma. Before seeing Larry I had tried traditional talk therapy numerous times but I always left those sessions feeling frustrated and like I had gotten nowhere. I loved that at the first session a plan was laid out which I felt in control of. After each session with Larry I could see a significant change in my mood and ability to implement positive lifestyle changes. Larry's good humor and friendly nature made it easy for me to dig deep and work through what needed to be done. I cannot recommend Larry and EMDR therapy enough."

"I went to see Larry for 3 days to help me work through complex trauma, which was causing dissociation. I needed him mainly for the dissociation (the detachment from self and from reality.) I had tried several things in the past: - Counselling (merely talk therapy). Didn't do much for me at all. - Psychotherapy (an alternative method known as "havening", as well as what's called "The Rewind Technique" which is offered by an organisation called "Human Givens"). Havening achieved some good, but very little. The Rewind Technique lifted a burden from my soul. I noticed substantial relief. Would definitely recommend. Larry helped me to understand why I behave the way I do. He granted me with an enhanced knowledge of self. He allowed me to gain self-awareness around my dissociation, know when I'm dissociating and provided grounding techniques to keep me present. Most of my trauma could be resolved through The Rewind Technique, but one specific physical assault I thought I had overcome was still troubling me. Larry helped me to recognise this. The event was desensitised. The dissociation was cleared. I am a new man nowadays. I can feel again. I was able to for moments after the initial Rewind Technique, but things went back to normal shortly after, as I still had unresolved trauma. I am almost always able to feel right now. Quite an important ability to have. Larry is more than emotionally intelligent; he is wise. He is good at what he does. He picks apart everything that might be troubling you and dedicates himself to resolving it. I can tell this line of work means a lot to him. He cares about everyone he sees and has their best interests in mind. More than developing a reliance, he shows people how to take care of themselves, offers means of self-healing and is available as much as he can be. Larry has helped me to feel safe in the world again. For the most part, the world isn't threatening nor' dangerous and most people are good. Thanks again, Larry. You gave me hope that happiness is a possibility and I'm not stuck with what happened to me forever."