EMDR Therapy

Sometimes we understand what happened, yet our mind and body continue to respond as though the experience is still present.

EMDR therapy offers a structured, evidence based approach that helps the brain process distressing memories so they become part of your story rather than something that continues to shape your present.

Many people seek EMDR after experiencing trauma, but it can also be helpful for experiences that were never recognised as traumatic at the time. Childhood experiences, accidents, assault, medical procedures, grief, or prolonged stress can all leave lasting effects on the nervous system.

During therapy, we work at a pace that feels manageable. Before beginning EMDR, we’ll spend time understanding your history, your current circumstances, and whether this approach is the right fit for your needs.

Why do some experiences stay with us?

Most experiences are naturally processed by the brain and gradually become part of our personal history.

Sometimes, however, an experience is so overwhelming that the brain is unable to process it in the usual way. Rather than becoming an ordinary memory, parts of the experience may remain stored in a more emotionally charged form.

This can help explain why certain situations, places, sounds or sensations seem to trigger intense emotional or physical reactions, even when we know we are no longer in danger.

People often describe feeling as though they are reacting to the past while knowing they are in the present.

This is not a sign of weakness.

It is one way the nervous system attempts to protect us after overwhelming experiences.

What is EMDR therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), commonly known as EMDR, is an evidence based psychotherapy developed to help people recover from the effects of traumatic and distressing life experiences.

During EMDR, bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or other forms of alternating stimulation, is used alongside a structured therapeutic approach to help the brain continue this natural processing.

The goal is not to erase memories or forget what happened. Rather, EMDR aims to reduce the emotional intensity associated with distressing experiences, allowing them to be remembered without feeling as overwhelming in the present.

EMDR is recommended in the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Acute Stress Disorder, PTSD and Complex PTSD as one of the first line psychological treatments for PTSD.

EMDR may be helpful for

EMDR is most commonly used in the treatment of trauma, but it may also be appropriate for a range of difficulties where distressing experiences continue to affect daily life.

Depending on your individual circumstances, EMDR may be considered for experiences such as:

childhood trauma
sexual assault
family and domestic violence
motor vehicle accidents
workplace incidents
medical trauma
complicated grief where traumatic memories are present
post traumatic stress disorder

Whether EMDR is appropriate depends on your individual circumstances, current level of stability, and therapeutic goals. During your initial appointments we’ll decide together whether EMDR is the most appropriate approach for you.

What does EMDR therapy involve?

EMDR begins well before any memory processing takes place.

The first stage of therapy focuses on understanding your experiences, developing coping strategies, and ensuring you have the resources needed to approach difficult material safely.

Only when you feel adequately prepared do we begin the reprocessing phase.

Throughout therapy, you remain fully awake, aware, and in control. You can pause, slow down or stop at any time.

The pace of therapy is always guided by your capacity, not by the therapy itself.

For some people, EMDR becomes the primary focus of therapy. For others, it forms one part of a broader counselling process.

How I work

No two people experience trauma in the same way.

For that reason, I don’t believe there is a single approach that suits everyone.

Although EMDR provides a structured framework, therapy remains collaborative and responsive to your individual needs.

My work is grounded in trauma informed practice and draws on EMDR alongside approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness, psychoeducation and nervous system regulation strategies where appropriate.

I don’t believe people need fixing.

More often, they need the opportunity to understand themselves and their experiences in a different way.

Together, we’ll decide whether EMDR is the most appropriate approach for your goals, your circumstances, and where you are in your recovery.

Sometimes the most appropriate place to begin isn’t with EMDR itself, but with building safety, developing coping strategies, and gaining a clearer understanding of your experiences. Therapy is always guided by your needs, your goals, and your readiness.

Healing isn’t about forgetting what happened. It’s about no longer feeling defined by it.

Considering EMDR therapy?

You don’t need to decide whether EMDR is the right approach before making contact.

Our first appointment is an opportunity to understand what’s been happening, explore your goals, and decide together what form of therapy is most appropriate.

Book a Session