EMDR Therapy
For when part of you is ready to move through what has become stuck
If you’ve tried talk therapy before and it didn’t quite resolve things, then EMDR therapy might be for you.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence based therapy developed to help people recover from trauma and distressing life experiences.
It works by activating the brain's innate capacity to move toward healing through bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements or tapping) while you hold a memory or experience in mind.
When difficult experiences are stored in ways that keep them "stuck," they continue to shape how you feel, think, and respond in the present.
It doesn't require you to describe events in detail. The shift tends to happen at a deeper level than talking alone can reach.
What EMDR can help with
Single incident trauma (PTSD)
Complex, relational or developmental trauma (C-PTSD)
Anxiety, panic, and phobias
Depression with a trauma history
Eating concerns and difficult relationships with the body
Grief and loss
Chronic illness and health related distress
Adjustment to chronic or persistent pain
Low self worth and persistent negative beliefs about yourself
Intergenerational and cultural trauma
Perinatal mental health (including birth trauma)
How I work
I offer EMDR therapy in extended sessions, 80 minutes as standard, with more frequent sessions available as part of an EMDR Intensive.
EMDR moves through eight phases, and a longer session allows us to move through activation and into resolution in the same appointment. For many people, this is both more effective and less disruptive to daily life.
Building the foundations
Before any processing begins, we spend time building the foundations of our work. This includes taking the time to build enough safety, develop resources, and ensure you feel oriented in the work. This is especially important if you're working through complex trauma or dissociation.
I tend to use EMDR alongside other therapeutic frameworks, which I bring in during these early phases (Phase 2 of EMDR) before we start reprocessing.
Reprocessing
Using bilateral stimulation (for example, eye movements, alternating sounds, or tapping), we work through the specific memories or experiences driving what's brought you to therapy. You don't need to narrate the story in detail for this to work. The focus is on what your nervous system is holding.
Settling and integrating
Processing can continue between sessions, and we check in regularly on how things are settling as we go.
offer EMDR therapy both in person in Coffs Harbour and via telehealth Australia-wide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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EMDR was originally developed for single incident trauma, but it's since been adapted for more complex presentations, including relational and developmental trauma.
I integrate attachment informed EMDR, parts work, structural dissociation framework, and somatic approaches when working with complex trauma.
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It depends. Some people notice a shift after a handful of sessions, especially when we focus on a specific goal. Complex or longstanding difficulties generally need a longer course of therapy.
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No. Unlike some talk therapies, EMDR doesn't require you to narrate the experience in depth. For some people, this can be one of the benefits of EMDR.
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Yes! Pacing, sensory preferences (for example, choosing tapping or auditory tones over eye movements), and how resourcing is approached often need adjusting. If you're autistic, ADHD, or otherwise neurodivergent, we can tailor the approach around what works for you.
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Dissociation needs to be understood and worked with carefully before and during reprocessing. If dissociation is part of your experience, we'll spend more time building stability first, and pace the work accordingly.
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Yes. EMDR can be delivered effectively online. I offer this Australia-wide via telehealth, and in person in Coffs Harbour.
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Standard EMDR sessions can be claimed under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, the same as other psychology sessions.
EMDR Intensives are private pay only and aren't eligible for Medicare rebates.
EMDR Intensives
Sometimes, weekly or fortnightly sessions aren't the right rhythm for the work that is needed.
An Intensive compresses therapy into a short, focused block of time, so you can move through material without waiting weeks between sessions.
A typical structure: an 80 minute initial session, followed by three EMDR sessions over two days. Every program is tailored to you, and the structure and length are set during intake based on what you're working through.
Available in person at Coffs Harbour Jetty, via telehealth, or both. On the Coffs Coast, that often means a retreat feel - distance from your routine, room to do deep work, and space to integrate it.
A brief phone consult confirms suitability and price before booking. Mention your interest in an Intensive in your first enquiry, and we'll set up a free introductory phone call.