Been offered CBT or EMDR after an accident? Find out what they involve

When you have been injured in an accident or suffered an illness that was not your fault, the physical effects can be obvious. You might have pain, need surgery or face months of rehabilitation. But the emotional impact can be just as difficult to deal with, and it is not always recognised straight away.

You might feel anxious about travelling after a road traffic accident or find yourself reliving a frightening experience. Perhaps you have lost confidence, feel constantly on edge or are finding it difficult to return to everyday activities.

You may be offered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). These are established therapies, but many people have never heard of them until they are recommended by a healthcare professional.

So, what do they involve, and how might CBT or EMDR help?

What is CBT? CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It is a talking therapy that explores the relationship between your thoughts, feelings and behaviour.

The idea is that the way we think about an experience can influence how we feel and respond to it. After a traumatic event, it is understandable to feel frightened or anxious. However, these feelings can sometimes continue long after the immediate danger has passed, affecting your everyday life.

For example, someone involved in a road traffic accident might become extremely anxious about getting into a car. They may worry that another collision will happen and avoid travelling wherever possible. Or feel panicked whenever they hear screeching brakes.

Although these reactions are understandable, avoiding cars altogether can make it increasingly difficult to regain confidence.

CBT helps people recognise these patterns and develop practical ways to manage them. A therapist might help someone explore their fears and gradually work towards feeling more comfortable travelling again.

CBT can also help people manage difficulties such as low mood, sleep problems and anxiety following an injury or traumatic experience.

What happens during CBT?

CBT sessions usually involve talking to a trained therapist about your difficulties and working together on strategies to address them.

You might learn techniques to challenge unhelpful thoughts and manage anxiety, or cope with situations you have been avoiding. Your therapist may also suggest exercises to practise between appointments.

Treatment is tailored to the person and their circumstances. Where CBT is used to treat trauma, the approach may involve carefully working through memories of the event as well as addressing the thoughts and behaviours associated with it.

The aim is not to dismiss what happened or suggest that your fears are unreasonable. It is to help you process the experience and develop ways to manage it.

What is EMDR? EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a type of psychological therapy used particularly to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and difficulties associated with traumatic memories.

After a frightening or distressing event, some people find that memories remain intensely upsetting. They might experience flashbacks, nightmares or strong physical reactions when something reminds them of what happened.

For example, someone who has suffered a serious injury in a workplace accident might find that the memory repeatedly comes back, leaving them feeling frightened or distressed. Even thinking about returning to the workplace could trigger these reactions.

EMDR aims to help people process distressing memories, so they become less emotionally overwhelming.

How does EMDR work?

During EMDR, a trained therapist asks you to focus briefly on aspects of a distressing memory while guiding you through a process known as bilateral stimulation.

This often involves following the therapist’s fingers moving from side to side with your eyes. Other methods, such as alternating taps or sounds, may also be used.

The therapist guides you through the process at a pace appropriate to your needs. You do not necessarily have to describe every detail of the traumatic experience aloud.

EMDR is not about erasing a memory or pretending that a distressing event never happened. Instead, the aim is to help you process the memory so that thinking about it causes less distress.

What happens during EMDR treatment? Treatment usually begins with an assessment and preparation. Your therapist will explain the process and help you develop ways to manage difficult feelings before working directly with traumatic memories.

You will then work through selected memories during sessions, with the therapist monitoring your reactions and helping you manage any distress.

Some sessions can bring up difficult emotions, so treatment should be delivered by a trained professional who can support you throughout the process.

What is the difference between CBT and EMDR?

Although both therapies can help people recover from traumatic experiences, they work in different ways.

CBT focuses on the connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It helps people understand their reactions and develop practical strategies to manage them.

EMDR focuses more specifically on processing distressing memories, using bilateral stimulation as part of the treatment.

There is some overlap between the approaches, particularly when CBT is used to treat trauma. Neither treatment is automatically the right choice for everyone. A healthcare professional can assess your symptoms and discuss which approach may be most suitable.

Both trauma-focused CBT and EMDR are recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for adults experiencing PTSD or significant symptoms of PTSD following trauma.

Can CBT or EMDR help after an accident or illness?

Yes, they may help if an accident or injury has affected your mental health as well as your physical wellbeing.

A serious accident can leave someone struggling with fear, anxiety or distressing memories long after their physical injuries have begun to heal. Similarly, a traumatic medical experience or serious illness can have a lasting psychological impact.

You do not have to have a diagnosed mental health condition to speak to a healthcare professional about the difficulties you are experiencing. If you are struggling emotionally following an accident or illness, it is worth discussing your symptoms and possible treatment options with your GP or another suitably qualified healthcare professional.

A referral for CBT or EMDR does not mean that you are weak or that you should simply be able to get over what happened. It recognises that recovery can involve more than treating physical injuries.

The number of sessions required will depend on your needs and the type of treatment. Your therapist should explain what to expect and discuss your progress with you.

Could psychological treatment form part of a personal injury claim?

If you have suffered an injury because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation. The effects of an accident are not always limited to physical injuries, and psychological harm can also be relevant to a personal injury claim.

For example, a person might develop significant anxiety following a road traffic accident or experience PTSD after a serious workplace injury. If the psychological injury is linked to the accident and supported by appropriate medical evidence, it may be considered when assessing a claim.

In some cases, psychological treatment such as CBT or EMDR may be recommended as part of a person’s recovery. Treatment needs and the evidence required will vary from case to case.

It is important to remember that you should not delay or avoid recommended psychological treatment because you are pursuing a compensation claim. Your health and wellbeing should remain the priority. If you pursue a compensation claim then the costs of the treatment if obtained privately can be recovered as part of the claim.

If you are unsure how psychological injuries or treatment costs might relate to your circumstances, a specialist personal injury solicitor, such as NV Legal can explain the legal position and advise you on your options and arrange the rehabilitation where necessary.

Getting the right support

Recovering after an accident or illness can take time, particularly when the effects extend beyond physical pain. If you are experiencing anxiety, distressing memories or other emotional difficulties, support is available.

CBT and EMDR are two treatment options that may help, depending on your symptoms and individual circumstances. If you have been referred for either treatment, ask your healthcare professional to explain how it could help you and what to expect from the sessions.

We understand that an injury caused by someone else’s negligence can affect many aspects of a person’s life. Our specialist personal injury solicitors can advise you on your legal options and explain how physical and psychological injuries may be considered as part of a claim.

If you or a family member has suffered an injury that was not your fault, contact us on 03330 112 732 or email info@nvlegal.co.uk to discuss your circumstances.