EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy is a specialised form of psychotherapy designed to help you overcome distressing or traumatic experiences.
Process trauma safely with evidence-based support.
A structured pathway towards emotional relief and recovery.
Originally developed to treat trauma-related conditions, EMDR has proved effective for various mental health challenges and is increasingly considered a gold-standard therapeutic approach across many presentations.
Helping the Brain to Reprocess Distressing Experiences
The goal of EMDR is to help you process ‘stuck’ memories, reduce your emotional charge and allow you to gain new insights and perspectives. By doing so, you can release the emotional hold past experiences may have over you, and you can experience relief from symptoms like anxiety, nightmares, or flashbacks.
As part of EMDR, your therapist will guide you through a structured process involving recalling distressing memories or experiences while engaging in bilateral stimulation. Bilateral Stimulation can be in the form of eye movements, taps or sounds, and it helps your brain process the traumatic memories more adaptively.
For further information about EMDR therapy, visit the EMDR Association of Australia website. You can also download an easy-to-understand PDF here.
EMDR FAQs
Below are some common questions about EMDR therapy to help you better understand the process and what to expect from treatment.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help individuals process traumatic or distressing experiences so they no longer feel as emotionally overwhelming.
How does EMDR therapy work?
EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess distressing memories using bilateral stimulation such as guided eye movements, tapping or sounds while recalling aspects of the experience in a safe therapeutic setting.
What issues can EMDR help treat?
EMDR is commonly used to support trauma and PTSD, but it can also help with anxiety, phobias, grief, panic, distressing memories, performance anxiety and other emotionally charged experiences.
Is EMDR considered a popular trauma therapy?
EMDR is widely regarded as a leading trauma treatment and is recommended by many global health organisations due to its effectiveness in reducing trauma symptoms.
What happens during an EMDR session?
Your therapist will guide you through structured phases including history taking, preparation, memory processing and grounding. Bilateral stimulation is used while you focus on specific thoughts, images or feelings.
Is EMDR safe?
Yes. EMDR is delivered by trained clinicians within a carefully structured framework that prioritises emotional safety, stabilisation and readiness before processing begins.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
The number of sessions varies depending on your history, the complexity of the trauma and your therapy goals. Your psychologist will discuss a personalised treatment plan with you.
Do I need a referral to access EMDR therapy?
You can book EMDR therapy privately without a referral. If you wish to access Medicare rebates, you will need a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP.
A Leading Treatment for Trauma
EMDR is a well-researched and clinically validated therapy that has demonstrated significant effectiveness in treating trauma-related conditions as well as anxiety, phobias, grief and other distressing experiences.
As these memories are processed, many individuals experience reduced anxiety, fewer intrusive thoughts, improved emotional regulation and an increased sense of psychological safety. Our trained clinicians provide EMDR at a pace that prioritises your comfort, readiness and emotional wellbeing throughout the process.
