What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Heal the past. Feel more present. Reconnect with your life.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy

EMDR at a glance

EMDR is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps people heal from trauma, distressing life experiences, and overwhelming emotions. It’s been shown to work quickly and effectively, especially for issues that feel “stuck” or difficult to talk about.

Rather than just talking about your trauma, EMDR helps your brain process and release it — so that it becomes something from your past, instead of something you keep reliving in the present.

Anthony Hansen, male counsellor, providing online counselling and EMDR therapy. LGBTIQA+ inclusive therapist

🧠How Does EMDR Work?

Unlocking Negative Memories and Processing Traumatic Experiences

When we experience trauma or highly stressful events, the brain’s natural way of processing information can become disrupted. This is why certain memories can feel incredibly vivid, painful, or intrusive — as if they’re still happening now.

EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories.

Through a series of structured steps and bilateral stimulation (like side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or sound), your brain begins to “unstick” and integrate what happened — safely and at your own pace.

Think of it as helping your brain finish what it didn’t get to finish during a time of overwhelm or crisis.

Trauma, neuroplasticity, healing journey, the brain that can heal itself with the help of a trauma therapist

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EMDR Can Help With

A number of clinical studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated EMDR’s efficacy and effectiveness in treating a vast number of traumatic experiences and psychological health conditions, including:

Childhood Trauma

Physical abuse
Verbal abuse
Sexual abuse
Parental conflict / violence
Witnessing abuse towards parent/sibling
Living with parent with physical/mental illness
Physical/emotional neglect from parents
Bullying from siblings or peers in school

Recent Trauma

Domestic and intimate partner violence
Abusive relationships
Vehicle accidents
Workplace bullying
Sudden change in circumstances (loss of employment, illness etc.)
Debilitating personal/workplace injury
Victim of Crime
Sexual harrassment and assault

Complex & ongoing

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD
Depression and grief
Anxiety
Social Anxiety
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Substance abuse
Bipolar disorder
Chronic pain
Specific phobias
Eating disorders
Performance anxiety

What Clients Often Say After EMDR

“I feel lighter — like I’ve let something go.”

What EMDR Looks Like in Session

EMDR therapy follows 8 structured phases. But don’t worry — we take it step by step, and I’ll guide you the entire way.

History & Planning – We explore what’s bringing you to therapy and identify key memories or experiences to work on.
Preparation – You’ll learn grounding tools and nervous system regulation techniques to help you feel safe.
Assessment – Together, we identify target memories, emotions, and beliefs connected to the trauma.
Desensitization – Using eye movements or other bilateral stimulation, we begin processing the memory.
Installation – We strengthen a positive belief to replace the old one.
Body Scan – We check for any lingering tension or emotional charge in your body.
Closure – You’ll leave each session feeling grounded and supported.
Reevaluation – In the next session, we assess progress and next steps.

You don’t have to go into every detail of your trauma. EMDR doesn’t require retelling everything — we work with what feels manageable and safe for you.

EMDR is endorsed as a gold-standard treatment

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) recently announced that EMDR is a Level 1 treatment - the highest - for treating adults with depression, PTSD, complex PTSD, specific phobias and social anxiety disorder. EMDR is also recognised as the gold-standard treatment for PTSD by organisations by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Ready to Try EMDR Therapy?

If you’re curious about EMDR or wondering whether it’s the right fit, I’d love to talk with you.
You don’t need to know all the answers — you just need a willingness to begin.

👉 Book a free 15-minute consultation here.
👉 Schedule an EMDR session here.

Online EMDR therapy requirements

If you wish to have online EMDR therapy appointments, you will need to be able to satisfy the following requirements in order to ensure your safety and the effectiveness of your online therapy sessions. If you are unsure whether you can adequately meet the conditions, please feel free to contact us to discuss.

🔧Basic Requirements for Online EMDR Therapy

To get the most from our work together, please ensure you have:

A reliable internet connection
Access to secure video software like Zoom
A computer, laptop, or tablet with a screen large enough to support full eye movement (smartphones are not ideal)
Speakers or headphones
A quiet, private space where you won’t be disturbed for at least 90 minutes (sessions run 50–60 minutes, with time to settle afterward)
Good lighting, so your face and upper body are clearly visible (a side-facing desk lamp works well)
A small ball (e.g. tennis ball, stress ball, or even an orange) — useful for grounding
Tissues and water nearby.

💡 Emotional & Physical Readiness

In early sessions, we’ll also assess:

Your ability to self-soothe and regulate distress
Whether you’ve developed ways to safely close down incomplete trauma memories
Your response to bilateral stimulation (e.g. eye movements or tapping)
Whether you have any risk factors for dissociation that may require additional support

🌱 Recommended (Optional) Enhancements

A monitor or screen at least 24" wide for smoother eye movement
A high-res webcam (1280x720 or higher) so I can observe your responses clearly
Grounding objects like a blanket, music, crystals, essential oils, or a comforting item
Supportive people or pets outside of therapy to help you feel safe and connected