How EMDR Can Help
Sometimes the mind knows that an event is over while the body and emotions continue to respond as though the danger is still happening. You might feel unexpectedly activated by a situation, become overwhelmed by a particular memory, avoid reminders of the past, or carry beliefs such as “I’m not safe,” “It was my fault,” or “Something is wrong with me.”
EMDR therapy can help you process these experiences and develop more adaptive emotional responses and beliefs. The goal is not to erase memories or pretend that difficult experiences did not happen. Instead, therapy aims to help the memories feel more like something that happened in the past rather than something your mind and body are still having to survive.
EMDR may be helpful for experiences such as:
- Traumatic or frightening experiences
- Childhood or developmental trauma
- Relationship and attachment wounds
- Accidents, medical experiences, or other distressing events
- Distressing memories that continue to trigger strong reactions
- Anxiety or emotional responses connected to past experiences
- Persistent shame, guilt, or self-blame
- Feeling stuck in patterns of avoidance, hypervigilance, or emotional overwhelm
What Does EMDR Therapy Involve?
EMDR follows a structured, eight-phase framework. Treatment is individualized, and we do not move into memory processing simply because you have started therapy. Preparation and a sense of safety come first.
1. History and treatment planning
We begin by understanding what brings you to therapy, relevant experiences from your past, your current concerns, and what you hope to change. This helps us identify appropriate treatment targets and determine what kind of support you need.
2. Preparation and stabilization
Before processing difficult memories, we develop strategies for grounding, emotional regulation, and maintaining a sense of safety. This phase can be especially important when you are already feeling overwhelmed or disconnected.
3. Identifying memories, beliefs, emotions, and body sensations
We identify experiences that continue to affect you and explore the thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and beliefs connected to them.
4. Processing
When you are ready, we use EMDR procedures to support the processing of targeted experiences. Bilateral stimulation may involve guided eye movements or another appropriate form of left-right stimulation.
5. Developing more adaptive beliefs
As distress decreases, we work toward beliefs that feel more accurate and supportive, such as “I am safe now,” “I have choices,” “It wasn’t my fault,” or “I can handle this.”
What an EMDR Session May Feel Like
EMDR does not require you to tell the entire story of a traumatic experience in graphic detail. We work collaboratively and at a pace that respects your capacity. Some sessions may focus primarily on preparation, stabilization, or identifying what needs attention before memory processing begins.
During processing, you may notice memories, emotions, thoughts, physical sensations, or associations arising and changing. You remain in control throughout the process, and we can slow down, pause, or return to stabilization whenever needed.
My Approach to EMDR
My approach is person-centred, collaborative, and trauma-informed. I see EMDR as more than a technique: the therapeutic relationship, your sense of safety, and your ability to understand and regulate your emotions are central to the work.
I draw on EMDR alongside approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion-Focused approaches, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and other evidence-informed strategies when they fit your needs. We do not force a particular method; we choose what is clinically appropriate and meaningful for you.
What Positive Change Can Look Like
- Distressing memories feel less emotionally intense
- Triggers become easier to understand and manage
- Less avoidance, hypervigilance, or emotional reactivity
- Greater emotional regulation and sense of safety
- Reduced shame, guilt, or self-blame
- More compassionate and adaptive beliefs about yourself
- Greater confidence responding to difficult emotions
- A stronger sense that the past belongs in the past
Is EMDR Right for You?
EMDR is not the right fit for everyone, and it is not necessary to have a specific diagnosis to explore whether it may be helpful. The first step is a conversation about what you are experiencing, what you would like to change, and whether EMDR is an appropriate approach for your situation.
If you’re considering EMDR therapy in Ontario or Nova Scotia, a consultation can give us an opportunity to discuss your concerns and determine whether this approach makes sense for you.
