EMDR Therapy
A therapeutic approach helping you to reduce the emotional charge of difficult memories, which can allow you to move forward with more emotional balance.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a type of therapy that helps you process difficult memories in a gentle and effective way. Instead of talking in depth about your traumatic experiences, we focus on the root cause of the distressing memories, helping you process them, so they no longer trigger strong emotions.
It’s a little like watching a movie…
At first, you’re caught up in the drama, living through the emotions of each scene. Through EMDR, we help you shift from being the character in the movie to being the audience. As the audience, you can watch the story unfold without feeling overwhelmed by the emotions tied to it. This way, your memories lose their power to cause distress, and you regain control.
The Advantages of EMDR Therapy
A Gentle Approach
EMDR doesn’t require you to go into the painful details of your experiences unless you’re ready. The goal is to process emotions safely and effectively, at your comfort level.
Relief in Fewer Sessions
Many individuals find emotional relief after just a few sessions, though the duration of healing will vary.
Long-Term Healing
By addressing the root emotional experiences, EMDR can lead to lasting improvements in emotional well-being and resilience.
Pace and Support
Throughout your journey, your therapist will respect your pace, providing ongoing support and ensuring that you feel comfortable and safe.
What to Expect in Your EMDR Session
Starting something new can feel nerve-wracking, especially when it’s something as personal as trauma therapy. If you’re considering EMDR, you might be wondering what it actually looks like in practice, so let’s walk through the steps.
Before we even begin EMDR, we’ll take time to get to know each other. We’ll listen to what’s been going on for you and answer any questions you might have. Building a sense of safety and trust is a priority because, without that, nothing else can happen.
1
The Prep Work
Before we dive into processing any memories, we’ll make sure you have tools to help you stay grounded and feel safe. This might include practicing breathing exercises, creating a “safe place” visualization, or finding other ways to calm yourself if things feel overwhelming.
We’ll also talk about the specific issues you want to work on in EMDR. You won’t need to share every detail of your trauma if you’re not ready—that’s one of the things that makes EMDR different. The focus is on what’s coming up for you now, not necessarily retelling the whole story.
2
The EMDR Process
When you’re ready, we’ll start processing. This is done using bilateral stimulation, such as following my fingers with your eyes, or through tapping. While we do this, we’ll guide you to notice thoughts, emotions, and body sensations connected to the memory or issue we’re working on.
The process might feel a bit like being on a journey in your mind. Memories, feelings, or even random thoughts might pop up, and that’s completely normal. Our role is to guide you through it, help you stay present, and ensure that you feel safe throughout.
3
After a Session
After each session, you might feel tired, emotional, or even lighter—everyone’s experience is different. We’ll check in with you before we wrap up, and we’ll talk about how to care for yourself afterward. Sometimes, things may feel unsettled for a day or two as your brain continues processing, but we’ll plan together so you’re supported between sessions.
EMDR is a process, and it can take time. But with each session, you’re moving closer to healing and reclaiming your life. You don’t have to face this alone—We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
EMDR can help with a wide range of emotional challenges including:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Anxiety or Stress
- Depression
- Phobias
- Negative Self-Beliefs
- Grief and Loss
Everyone’s journey is unique, and EMDR is just one part of the healing process.
Whether you’re struggling with past experiences or navigating current challenges, EMDR can support you in moving toward a place of greater calm and clarity. Together, we’ll explore how it fits into your broader healing journey.
What EMDR Therapy looks like with us:
Standard EMDR Therapy
Weekly or fortnightly 50-minute sessions for those who prefer a steady-paced approach to healing.
What’s included:
- Comprehensive assessment session (50 mins) to tailor your treatment plan
- Guided EMDR therapy at a pace that suits you
- Practical strategies to manage emotions and stay grounded between sessions
- Access to the Client Library, including:
- Pre-session preparation resources
- Short video guides on coping strategies
- Downloadable worksheets and tools
- Post-session reflection prompts
FEES:
$310 per session
Medicare rebates may apply if eligible.
Learn more about rebates »
Our Standard EMDR Therapy is best for those who prefer a gradual and structured approach to processing trauma with time to integrate between sessions.
We also offer EMDR Intensive Programs for those seeking a more focused approach.
Ready to get started?
Frequently Asked Questions
Our standard therapy sessions are 50 minutes long. This gives us enough time to work together while ensuring the pace feels manageable for you. If you’re looking for a more focused approach, you also have the option to explore EMDR Intensive sessions, which provide extended time to work on specific challenges in greater depth. Whatever your needs, we’ll tailor the approach to suit you and your goals.
The number of sessions will depend on your goals, situation, and individual needs. Some people feel relief after just a few sessions, while others may need more time to work through deeper or more complex challenges. We’ll work closely with you to find a pace that feels right for you and regularly check in to ensure you’re comfortable with your progress. Together, we’ll keep the focus on your personal goals and healing journey, creating a plan that supports you and aligns with what you need most.
Preparing for an EMDR session is about coming with a willingness to focus on the issues or memories that you’d like to work through. We’ll discuss what feels most important to you, and together, we’ll create a plan that helps you feel safe and supported throughout the process.
I’ll guide you on what to expect, and we’ll make sure you have the tools and comfort needed to get the most out of each session. You’re in charge of your healing, and my role is to support you in navigating it at your pace.
There’s no “perfect” way to do EMDR, so don’t worry about getting it wrong. EMDR is about helping your brain process what feels stuck in a safe and structured way. Sometimes, it feels emotional or even a little confusing, and that’s okay—it’s all part of the process. Trust that your mind and body are working together, even if it doesn’t feel like progress right away. In our sessions, I’ll guide you step by step and check in with you to make sure you’re feeling supported along the way.
Yes, EMDR is quite different from traditional talk therapy. In talk therapy, you might spend a lot of time talking through your experiences, exploring your past, and trying to make sense of everything with words. While this can be helpful, it doesn’t always change how those experiences are stored in your brain.
With EMDR, we don’t focus on talking through every detail. Instead, we gently guide your brain to process the emotions and memories that are still causing you distress, using techniques like eye movements or tapping. Think of it like clearing a traffic jam in your mind—getting the mental blockages to move so that you can feel free and more at peace. It’s less about what you say and more about what your brain does, helping it “unstick” painful memories and process them in a way that allows you to move forward.
While traditional talk therapy is like unpacking your emotional suitcase bit by bit, EMDR is more like letting your mind find its own way to pack things up neatly, so you don’t carry that heavy weight around anymore. It’s a different kind of healing, one that helps the brain and body reset without needing to revisit every painful detail.
For information about fees and rebates click here
Ready to Take the First Step?
Connect with us today to learn more about whether EMDR would suit you, and schedule your first session.