Twelve most frequently asked questions

  1. I have heard about a new form of psychotherapy called EMDR - what is it?

    Most frequent question ever since the publication of 'Healing without Freud or Prozac'. Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR), was discovered by accident in 1987. Like all effective forms of therapy for PTSD it is based on exposure therapy, but it is also thought to tap into normal brain physiology to produce a 'compelled' relaxation response. Furthermore, EMDR is quite unlike traditional forms of exposure therapy in that it is based on a 'dosed' format of exposure (very brief 'packets' of exposure, instead of prolonged exposure which is often difficult for clients to tolerate).

    Another difference with CBT is that EMDR focuses on 'information processing' theories rather than the learning theories. The particular strengths of EMDR are that it produces long lasting results extremely quickly, is very well tolerated by clients and can even be done 'blind' to therapist (that is in very sensitive issues, the client can be treated without the therapist ever knowing what the traumatic event was). For more details please see the EMDR Information page.

  2. Does either CBT or EMDR involve any of the following: pain, equipment, unconsciousness/hypnotism, drugs?

    Pain: No. Usually people mean physical pain, but psychological pain (distress), is very real as well. Psychotherapy frequently requires clients to 'face' situations, objects and memories that cause distress. Your therapist will understand and guide you through this. At no time is physical pain involved in either CBT or EMDR.

    Equipment: This is frequently used in medicine and surgery and can be scary although it is always necessary. EMDR is usually conducted via an EyeScan2000. This is a light bar and is a substitute for the therapist's moving his/her fingers across the field of view - no equipment causes pain and there are alternative forms of EMDR that can be used to avoid all equipment. Please feel free to ask your therapist more about this point. No equipment is used with CBT.

    Unconsciousness/hypnotism: No. This is not used in CBT or EMDR. Neither therapies are forms of hypnotism. Your therapist may teach you various forms of deep relaxation but this is not hypnotism. The key point is that at all times during either CBT or EMDR you will remain conscious and in control.

    Medication: Your therapist may work in conjunction with your GP, or other doctor, in specific cases where medication - such as an antidepressant - is indicated in addition to CBT and/or EMDR. This might be the case in depression, obsessional compulsive disorder (OCD) or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but is less likely in most other problems amenable to either CBT or EMDR. Some night sedation and tranquillisers are contraindicated with EMDR.

    If you have any specific questions on the above topics please read our information pages or contact us.

  3. What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy?

    Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (also known as CBT) is based on extensive research findings. CBT itself is based on 'learning theories' and theories about the way we think and act. It is based very much on present problems and what can be done to alter them (future). This makes CBT a present-to-future oriented psychotherapy. The success of CBT is usually gauged by measurable targets.

    For more details please see the CBT Information page.

  4. What are your charges/payment arrangements?

    Surprisingly only 4th most frequent question! Charges are reasonable. All fees are discussed with the individual (or his/her agent) at the time of referral bearing in mind circumstances and non-clinical time required (e.g. travel, report writing, telephone etc). In the case of clinical work, no payments in advance are ever requested. 'Sliding scale' fees are available to individuals funding their own treatment. Individuals undergoing performance enhancement training may have separate arrangements. Medicolegal costs are arranged via the solicitor before treatment for payment in full within 28 days of completion of treatment. Industrial/corporate contracts are mostly paid on a monthly invoice basis. All payments are requested by cheque, cash or BACS.

  5. Is EMDR useful for any other problems?

    Yes. In fact extensive research is being carried out at the present, precisely on this subject. EMDR is being used in many anxiety based disorders, as well as a method of performance enhancement training. If you are a sportsman or woman, who would like to discuss this at more length, or if your coach would like to discuss matters in more detail, please contact us.

  6. Can you provide any CBT intervention or EMDR recommended by a specialist in a medicolegal report?

    Yes, definitely. Further information on how to do this is available on the medicolegal services page. Alternatively contact us to discuss a specific case.

  7. Do you only accept instructions from solicitors in medicolegal cases?

    Yes - with the sole exception of a medicolegal case which is completely resolved (no longer legally active), in which settlement has been made and compensation in full received. In all other cases where litigation is involved, instructions to provide treatment are negotiated only through your legal agent. If you would like your solicitor to contact us to discuss a potential referral, please find all the relevant details on our medicolegal page.

  8. Do you accept private medical insurance funding?

    The quick answer to this question is yes in certain cases. However you are strongly recommended to contact us first. The problem is that the medical insurance cover may not cover the fees and in such cases the company policy is not ask the client to cover the balance of fees. Please note: cases are definitely not accepted under private medical insurance if a medicolegal claim is currently involved.

  9. I am involved in a medicolegal claim, who pays for my treatment?

    This is a question to ask your solicitor. Your solicitor will be able to help you in your specific case and only he/she will be able to answer your questions. However, it may well be possible to obtain privately funded treatment paid for by a third party insurance company.

  10. Do you see clients anywhere other than York?

    David Blore has regular clinics in York city centre (on Mondays, Tuesdays and some Wednesdays and other times by special arrangement). DBA associate specialists have other venues, again please ask about specific requirements. Because the York clinic venue is not 'disabled friendly' we are always happy to arrange other venues in specific cases. In addition, home visits can be arranged for disabled clients. The main thing is to make us aware of your needs!

  11. I am neither involved in a medicolegal claim nor do I have private medical insurance - I shall therefore be paying my own fees, do you accept credit card payments?

    Unfortunately not at this stage. We recommend payment via BACS however, if you are paying your own fees, cheques, cash or BACS payments are accepted only. However, check first with your employer - he/she may already have a contractual arrangement with David Blore Associates. If so, then treatment might be available, funded by your employer where the problem being treated stems from, or impinges upon, the working environment. If in doubt please contact us.

  12. Does my GP (or anyone else) need to be aware of my referral?

    The straightforward answer is no, if you don't wish it. Quite a number of clients seek private referrals, not just to bypass NHS waiting lists but because they don't want anyone else to be made aware of their referral. We would only communicate with third parties where there was a legal obligation to do so, such as a Court Subpoena, and we don't communicate with anyone without your consent anyway. If you would like to discuss other confidentiality issues please contact us.