In-person EMDR therapy in Toronto and Thornhill • Virtual EMDR therapy across Ontario
EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING
EMDR Therapy in Toronto, Thornhill, and Virtually Across Ontario
Some experiences can continue to feel emotionally intense even when you know they are in the past. A reminder, conversation, place, image, or situation may bring up feelings or reactions that are difficult to understand or move through.
EMDR is a structured therapy approach used to work with difficult memories and experiences that continue to affect you in the present.
You do not need to know whether EMDR is the right approach before starting therapy. We can first talk about what has been happening and decide together whether it may be useful.
What Is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured therapy approach used to work with memories or experiences that continue to feel distressing, emotionally intense, or easily brought up by reminders.
During parts of EMDR, you may briefly bring aspects of an experience to mind while using bilateral stimulation. This involves a repeated left-right pattern, often through guided eye movements, although other forms of bilateral stimulation may also be used.
You are not expected to tell the entire story in detail. I will explain what we are doing as we go, and we can slow down, pause, or return to preparation when needed.
EMDR Does Not Erase the Memory
The aim is not to forget what happened or convince yourself that it was okay. The memory remains part of your experience, while your response to the memory may change over time.
EMDR Is More Than Trauma Processing
EMDR follows an eight-phase model, and processing difficult memories is only one part of it. Before we begin processing, we spend time understanding what brings you to therapy, preparing for the work, and making sure you have enough support and ways to stay grounded.
1. History & Planning
We talk about what has been happening, what you would like help with, and experiences that may be important to our work.
2. Preparation
We spend time on preparation and stabilization, including understanding what helps you feel grounded, identifying supports, and making sure you have ways to manage difficult moments before processing begins.
3. Assessment
When we are ready to work with a particular memory or experience, we identify what we will focus on and what comes up for you when you think about it.
4. Desensitization
This is the processing part of EMDR. You briefly notice aspects of the experience while using bilateral stimulation, and we check in with what you notice from one set to the next.
5. Installation
We focus on a more helpful belief or understanding that feels connected to the work we have been doing.
6. Body Scan
We notice whether there is any remaining tension, discomfort, or other physical response connected to the experience.
7. Closure
Each session ends with time to settle and return attention to the present, whether or not processing is complete.
8. Reevaluation
At a later session, we check in on what has changed, what remains difficult, and whether more work with the experience is needed.
These phases are not a race or a checklist we have to move through quickly. The amount of time spent in each phase can look different from person to person.
Preparation Comes Before EMDR Processing
We would not move directly into a difficult memory simply because you came to therapy asking about EMDR. Before processing, we spend time on preparation and stabilization, understanding what happens for you when difficult emotions or memories come up and what helps you stay connected to the present.
Preparation might include grounding, identifying supports, practising ways to settle after difficult moments, and talking about what you need if something starts to feel like too much.
We move into processing when it feels appropriate for you and for the work we are doing. If we need to spend more time preparing later, we can.
What Does Bilateral Stimulation Mean?
Bilateral stimulation involves a repeated left-right pattern. In EMDR, this is often done through guided eye movements. Depending on what feels appropriate, other forms may include alternating sounds or tapping.
During processing, you do not need to concentrate perfectly or make anything happen. I may ask you to notice a memory, thought, emotion, image, or body sensation and then check in about what you notice next.
The process is guided, but you remain an active participant throughout.
You Do Not Have to Tell Every Detail
Some people worry that trauma therapy will require them to describe everything that happened in detail. EMDR does not require you to tell me everything that happened in detail.
I will need enough information to understand what we are working with and support you appropriately, but you can decide what you want to put into words.
If something feels too intense or you need to pause, we can slow the process down and talk about what you need.
When Might EMDR Be Considered?
EMDR is most often associated with trauma, but it may also be considered when a difficult experience continues to affect how you feel or respond in the present.
Difficult or distressing memories
Trauma or frightening experiences
Experiences that still feel emotionally intense
Betrayal or relationship experiences that still feel painful
Anxiety connected to past experiences or reminders
Shame or self-blame connected to something that happened
Difficult memories connected with grief or loss
Situations or reminders that bring up strong reactions
This does not mean EMDR is automatically the right approach for every concern. We can look at what you are experiencing and decide whether EMDR, another approach, or a combination of approaches makes the most sense.
What Can an EMDR Session Look Like?
An EMDR session can look quieter than people sometimes expect. You may spend short periods noticing what comes to mind, followed by brief check-ins with me about what you noticed.
I may guide a set of bilateral stimulation and then ask what you noticed. There is no “right” response you need to have. Some people notice memories, thoughts, emotions, images, or body sensations, while other times very little may come up.
We continue to check in with how you are doing and adjust when needed.
You Do Not Have to Decide on EMDR Before Starting
You may come to therapy specifically interested in EMDR, or you may simply know that something from the past is still affecting you. Either is okay.
We can start by understanding what has been happening and what you are hoping therapy may help with. I can explain why EMDR may or may not be useful, and we can decide together what makes sense.
EMDR is one option. It is not a requirement for working with trauma or difficult past experiences.
EMDR FAQs
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Wondering Whether EMDR Might Be a Good Fit?
You do not need to know whether EMDR is the right approach before reaching out. A free 15-minute consultation gives us a chance to talk briefly about what you are looking for, answer any questions you have, and see whether working together feels like a good fit.
In-person EMDR therapy in Toronto and Thornhill • Virtual EMDR therapy across Ontario