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EMDR Therapy

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Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our

lives running from it.

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- Brené Brown

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured evidence based therapy that helps the brain process and integrate distressing or traumatic experiences. As memories are processed, they often become less vivid, less emotionally overwhelming, and no longer have the same impact on your daily life.

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During EMDR, we'll identify the experiences that may be contributing to your current difficulties. I will support you to briefly bring the memories to mind and use bilateral stimulation such as guided side to side eye movements or tapping, while you briefly focus on aspects of a memory. This supports the brain's natural ability to process experiences that have become "stuck."

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This process supports the brain's natural healing process and helps the memory feel less distressing and more distant.

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For more information, visit the EMDRAA website 

What EMDR Can Help With?

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  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  • Anxiety and panic attacks

  • Phobias

  • Stress and burnout

  • Depression 

  • Low self-esteem and negative beliefs

  • Grief

  • Medical trauma

  • Adjustment after significant life changes

  • 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.

What changes might you notice?

  • Distressing memories feel less vivid or emotionally overwhelming.

  • Nightmares become less frequent or less intense.

  • Triggers have less impact on everyday life.

  • Less avoidance of people, places, or situations.

  • ​Improved sleep and reduced physical tension

  • Persistent self-critical thoughts easing (e.g. “I’m not safe,” “I’m not good enough”)

  • More self-compassion and less self-criticism.

  • Increased confidence in responding to difficult situations.

  • Feeling more present and connected with everyday life.

  • Feeling less on edge, anxious, or easily startled

  • Flashbacks or sudden emotional reactions reducing over time

How EMDR Works

Every EMDR journey is different, but therapy generally follows four stages designed to help you feel prepared, supported, and ready for meaningful change.

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Assessment

We'll begin by getting to know you your experiences, what's brought you to therapy, and what you'd like to achieve. Together, we'll decide whether EMDR is the right approach for your needs.

Preparation

Before processing memories, we'll build skills and resources to help you feel grounded, safe, and confident throughout the process. There is no expectation to begin processing until you feel ready.

Processing

Using EMDR, we'll work through memories or experiences that continue to affect you in the present. Many people notice these memories gradually become less distressing, allowing them to respond with greater flexibility and ease.

Integration 

As therapy progresses, we'll reflect on the changes you've noticed, strengthen new ways of responding, and support you in applying these changes to everyday life.

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