top of page

EMDR THERAPY

What is EMDR Therapy

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidenced based therapy based on the idea that the brain is naturally designed to process and make sense of life experiences. Sometimes, difficult or overwhelming experiences don’t get fully processed and can feel “stuck,” which means they can still feel very present, distressing, or easily triggered even long after they’ve happened.

EMDR helps your brain gently revisit these experiences in a structured and safe way while using bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds). This supports the brain’s natural ability to process and “unstick” the memory so it becomes less upsetting over time.

As this happens, the memory usually feels more distant and less emotionally intense, and unhelpful beliefs (like self-blame or fear) can shift into more balanced and realistic ones.

What Can EMDR Help With?

​​​​

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  • Anxiety disorders

  • Panic attacks

  • Phobias

  • Depression 

  • Grief

  • Medical trauma

  • Eating disorders

  • Addiction

 

​Major clinical guidelines internationally, including the World Health Organisation and Australian psychological treatment guidelines, recognise EMDR as a first-line recommended treatment for PTSD, alongside trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapies.

Why choose EMDR?

  • Symptom-focused, with all processing conducted within session

  • Comparable outcomes to exposure-based therapies, often achieved in a shorter timeframe

  • Strong evidence base demonstrating rapid and meaningful reduction in PTSD symptoms

  • Many clients, particularly with single-incident trauma, experience significant improvement within a few sessions

  • No requirement for between-session homework in most cases

  • Generally better tolerated than traditional exposure therapies

  • Does not require detailed verbal recounting of traumatic experiences

What to Expect in EMDR Sessions

Assessment & Preparation

We begin by understanding your history, current concerns, and goals. This phase also focuses on building safety and coping strategies so you feel resourced and supported before processing begins. There is no pressure to share everything at once.

Before processing begins, we focus on helping you feel grounded, supported, and equipped to manage difficult emotions.

This may include developing:

  • grounding and regulation strategies

  • ways to manage distress between sessions

  • internal “resources” such as calm or safe-place imagery

  • skills to stay within a manageable emotional window

  • Psychoeducaiton on EMDR, the process and any other relevant information 

This phase is an essential part of EMDR and is paced according to your needs.

​

 Identifying What to Work On

Together, we identify specific memories, experiences, or patterns that feel “stuck” or continue to have an impact. EMDR focuses on targeted areas rather than everything at once, prioritising what feels most relevant and manageable.

​

Processing 

During processing, you’ll briefly bring a memory to mind while engaging in bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds). This helps the brain reprocess the experience so it becomes less distressing and more integrated.

You remain in control throughout you can pause, slow down, or stop at any time.

​

Integration & Ongoing Support

As therapy progresses, many people notice shifts in how they feel, think, and respond. We continue to strengthen helpful beliefs, build insight, and support lasting change in day-to-day life.

bottom of page