When should you consider EMDR therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective therapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences.
EMDR therapy will help you if you're experiencing:
If that's what you're dealing with, we're here to help!
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Grief & loss
Depression
Sleep problems
Trauma or
PTSD
Low self-esteem
Trust issues
Anger
Phobias
How does EMDR therapy work?
EMDR is a staged approach to therapy, meaning there are multiple steps, or stages, that we will go through together to support you in becoming ‘unstuck’.
The goal of EMDR is to begin to completely process the lived experiences that are causing problems in your life present day, while leaving you with more natural emotions, a deeper understanding and perspectives that will lead to healthy and useful behaviours and interactions.
The EMDR process
During EMDR, there will be limited dialogue while simultaneously using eye movements, or tapping, to support in reprocessing.
EMDR therapy uses dual attention stimuli, which involves simultaneously focusing on a distressing memory and a sensory input that engages both sides of the brain. Most commonly we use vibrating buzzers the client holds in their hands.
The aim of EMDR therapy is to transition from distress and feeling trapped in trauma to a place of healing, resolution and well-being.
While it is hard to indicate how many sessions of EMDR you will need, there may be 1 or 2 initial sessions for history taking and setting a strong foundation for beginning EMDR and then multiple consecutive sessions of EMDR reprocessing to follow.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
There is no one-fits-all answer, it depends on the following factors:
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The kinds of challenges you’ve experienced
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Your life circumstances
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The nature of previous traumatic experiences
Each session will be approximately 50 minutes in length and sessions are weekly. The feedback we consistently receive from clients who have completed EMDR is that it's almost magical in how it works in desensitizing very painful memories to the point that clients feel neutral about the event.
Bilateral Music Stimulation - A Variation on Traditional EMDR Therapy
Not all EMDR has to involve eye movements or tapping. Some clients find that listening to bilateral music (music that alternates between the left and right ears) is a helpful variation. It’s subtle but powerful, helping to activate both sides of the brain and support the processing that EMDR sets in motion.
Some clients like using it between sessions while journaling, walking, or just resting. It’s not meant to replace therapy, but it can be a supportive tool alongside it.
If you're curious, here a link to a video to get you started.
Headphones are a must for this to work properly. Be sure to check in with your therapist before using tools like this outside of session.
EMDR stimulation creates a distancing effect, helping patients perceive past traumatic experiences as distant and insignificant.
Meet our experienced EMDR therapists
We offer EMDR therapy sessions for adults in all our locations, as well as online (for all Ontario residents). EMDR is also offered for children at our Growing With: CW Therapy office in Georgetown
Book a free initial EMDR consultation today!
Available in Oakville, Georgetown & virtual
Before you begin therapy, you may have many questions and concerns; that's perfectly natural.
We want you to make an informed decision about therapy and EMDR, that's why, we invite you to schedule a free 15-min consultation with us.
During this initial call, you will get the opportunity to ask your questions, and we will tell you more about what to expect from trauma & EMDR therapy.
PS. This call doesn't obligate you to work with us! You can use this form also if you have questions before booking a consultation.
