EMDR Psychotherapy in Rayleigh, Southend-on-Sea Essex & London
We provide accredited specialist psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, and trauma, available online and face-to-face.
EMDR Psychotherapy in Essex & London
Experienced EMDR Psychotherapy
We offer expert EMDR therapy online and in person in South Benfleet/Rayleigh, Essex, and in the City of London. Our sessions are confidential, non-judgemental, and gentle, utilising the most up-to-date EMDR approaches to help with a wide range of problems, such as PTSD, anxiety, phobias, depression, interpersonal challenges, attachment issues, and more. We work with a range of health insurers.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful psychotherapy approach that has helped millions of people relieve many types of psychological stress. It is highly effective for trauma and PTSD, and also beneficial for anxiety, depression, and other emotional difficulties.
Research Supporting EMDR:
EMDR is backed by extensive research and is recognised as an effective form of treatment by numerous organisations, including the British Psychological Society (BPS), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Studies have shown that EMDR can produce significant and lasting improvements more rapidly than conventional therapy methods.
Our Approach
We offer high-standard EMDR psychotherapy, which can be delivered both online and face-to-face. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) has been shown to be an effective treatment for various common mental health problems, particularly for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Widely used in the NHS, EMDR is backed by a substantial body of research supporting its efficacy and safety. This novel psychotherapy method helps individuals process and integrate traumatic memories, leading to significant improvements in their mental health and overall well-being.
Health Insurance: We work with Aviva, Bupa, Axa and Vitality
About EMDR Psychotherapy
Chris Spanton
Chris Spanton is an experienced and accredited psychotherapist with a strong foundation in nursing, having begun his career in sexual health and psychology. With over 18 years of experience in mental health and 13 years in psychological therapies, Chris brings a deep and compassionate understanding to his clinical work.
He is an Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist (BABCP), Accredited EMDR Practitioner (EMDR Europe), CBT Supervisor, and Dynamic Interpersonal Therapist (DIT) trained at the Anna Freud Centre in London. Chris trained at several leading institutions, including the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, University College London, the Anna Freud Centre, and the University of Essex.
Chris is currently the Clinical Lead for one of the largest NHS Talking Therapies services in the UK, where he has held various leadership roles for many years. In addition to his clinical leadership, he is a visiting lecturer on a master's programme in psychotherapy and has delivered lectures on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) at universities across the UK. He also trains psychotherapists nationally and provides clinical supervision for both qualified and trainee CBT practitioners.
Specialising in EMDR therapy and complex PTSD, Chris works with clients who have experienced prolonged or developmental trauma, including psychosexual trauma and trauma related to childhood experiences. He has extensive experience in delivering therapy across age groups, including both children and adults.
Chris is also skilled in Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT)—a psychodynamic and psychoanalytic model that helps individuals identify and change patterns in relationships that contribute to emotional difficulties. He is experienced in leading group therapy and delivering training to other professionals in evidence-based approaches.
Research & Publications
Chris is a published therapist and active contributor to research in psychological therapies. His work has appeared in peer-reviewed journals, particularly in the areas of trauma-focused CBT, culturally responsive therapy, and adapting services during public health crises. Selected publications include:
- Skilbeck, L. & Spanton, C. (2022). Delivery of a trauma-focused CBT group for heterogeneous single-incident traumas in adult primary care: a follow-on case study. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 15. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X22000149
- Skilbeck, L., Spanton, C., & Roylance, I. (2021). Integrated Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Comorbid Combat-Related PTSD: A Case Study with a Military Veteran. Clinical Case Studies, 20. https://doi.org/10.1177/15346501211006922
- Skilbeck, L., Spanton, C., & Roylance, I. (2020). Client-led culturally responsive CBT – integrating familism in the treatment of chronic depression: a case study. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 13. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X20000471
- Skilbeck, L., Spanton, C., & Roylance, I. (2020). Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: ‘Learning the hard way’ – Adapting long-term IAPT service provision using lessons from past outbreaks. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 13. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X20000379
- Skilbeck, L. & Spanton, C. (2020). Primary care community engagement – delivery of an enhanced and brief homogeneous group TF-CBT intervention for trauma from a single-incident road traffic accident: a case study. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 13. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X20000227
- Skilbeck, L., Spanton, C., & Roylance, I. (2020). Helping clients ‘restart their engine’ – use of in-session CBT behavioural experiments for engagement and treatment in persistent depression: a case study. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 13. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X20000070
- Skilbeck, L., Spanton, C., & Paton, M. (2023). Patients’ lived experience and reflections on long COVID: an interpretive phenomenological analysis within an integrated adult primary care psychology NHS service. Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes, 7, 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41687-023-00570-2