EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a structured, evidence-based therapy originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and is now used for a wide range of mental health concerns.
EMDR helps your brain process distressing memories that have become “stuck” — memories that continue to cause emotional pain, anxiety, flashbacks, or negative beliefs about yourself long after the event has passed.
Rather than focusing primarily on talking through difficult experiences in detail, EMDR uses a technique called bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones) to help your brain reprocess these memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity.
Think of it this way: when a distressing event happens and your brain doesn’t fully process it, the memory can stay “raw” — as vivid and upsetting as the day it happened. EMDR helps your brain file that memory in the way it would have if it had been processed normally, so it becomes a memory you can recall without being overwhelmed by it.
EMDR has a strong evidence base for treating:
EMDR is recognised as an effective treatment for PTSD by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Australian Psychological Society, and Phoenix Australia (Australia’s National Centre of Excellence in Posttraumatic Mental Health).
EMDR follows a structured eight-phase approach. You don’t need to remember these — I’ll guide you through each step. But it can help to know what to expect. Select each phase for more information.
We talk about what’s brought you to therapy, your history, and what you’d like to work on. Together we identify the memories or experiences that are causing the most distress.
Before we start processing, I’ll teach you techniques to help you manage strong emotions — both during sessions and between them. This phase is about making sure you feel safe, grounded, and ready.
We identify a specific target memory and the negative belief connected to it (for example, “I’m not safe” or “It was my fault”), as well as the positive belief you’d like to replace it with.
This is the core of EMDR. While you hold the target memory in mind, I guide you through sets of bilateral stimulation (in telehealth, this is typically guided eye movements on screen, or self-tapping). You don’t need to describe the memory in detail — the processing happens internally. Over the course of these phases, the memory typically becomes less distressing and the negative belief loses its grip.
At the start of each new session, we check in on how you’re feeling, what’s shifted, and whether the memory still carries distress. We continue until the target memory feels resolved.
For clients aged 15–17, a parent or guardian is required to provide consent before we begin, as a matter of practice policy. However, the content of our sessions remains confidential unless there is a safety concern. We’ll talk through exactly how this works at the start.
Yes — EMDR can be effectively delivered via telehealth. Research supports that telehealth EMDR produces outcomes comparable to in-person delivery for PTSD and trauma-related conditions.
During telehealth EMDR sessions, bilateral stimulation is adapted for the online format. This typically involves:
For telehealth EMDR to work well, you’ll need:
EMDR is not a quick fix, but many people notice a shift within the first few processing sessions. Some things to know:
EMDR may be a good fit if:
EMDR may not be the right starting point if you’re currently in crisis, experiencing active psychosis, or don’t yet have sufficient emotional stability and coping strategies. In these cases, we’d begin with stabilisation work first and move to EMDR when you’re ready.
If you’re unsure whether EMDR is right for you, that’s completely okay. We’ll discuss it together in your early sessions, and I’ll always recommend the approach I think will be most helpful for your specific situation.
I hold specialist training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) Therapy at Level 1, as recognised by the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA).
I am committed to ongoing professional development in EMDR and deliver EMDR within the ethical and clinical framework of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
If you’d like to explore whether EMDR could help you, you’re welcome to book an appointment or send an enquiry email.
There’s no obligation and no pressure — we’ll work out together whether this approach is the right fit.
If you are in crisis or immediate danger, please call 000. For 24/7 mental health support: Lifeline 13 11 14 | Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 | Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
