Evidence-Based Trauma Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
Do you carry the weight of past trauma, PTSD, anxiety, or distressing memories? EMDR is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps your brain process and heal from difficult experiences — so they no longer control your present. Available at our Sippy Downs and Maroochydore clinics, and via Telehealth.
About This Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an innovative, evidence-based approach to psychotherapy that helps people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences. Originally developed by Dr Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR is now recognised as a first-line treatment for PTSD by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require you to describe your traumatic experiences in detail. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation — most commonly guided eye movements — to help the brain process distressing memories that have become "stuck" and are continuing to cause emotional distress.
How It Works
When we experience a traumatic or highly distressing event, the brain can struggle to process it normally. The memory becomes "frozen" — stored with the same intensity of emotion, sensation, and belief as when it first occurred. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to activate the brain's natural processing system, allowing the memory to be integrated and stored in a way that no longer triggers distress.
Your psychologist takes a thorough history and identifies the specific memories and experiences to target in treatment.
You learn stabilisation and resourcing skills to ensure you feel safe and grounded before processing begins.
The target memory is identified, including the image, negative belief, emotions, and body sensations associated with it.
Bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or audio tones) is used while you hold the target memory in mind, allowing the brain to process it.
A positive belief is strengthened and linked to the memory, replacing the negative belief that was previously associated with it.
You scan your body for any remaining tension or distress related to the memory, which is then processed if present.
Each session ends with grounding and stabilisation to ensure you leave feeling calm and resourced.
At the start of each new session, progress is reviewed and any remaining distress is assessed before continuing.
Why EMDR
EMDR has been proven highly effective for a wide range of presentations. Here is how it can help you.
EMDR is a first-line, gold-standard treatment for PTSD. It helps individuals process and resolve traumatic memories in a safe, supported environment — reducing flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance.
EMDR targets the underlying memories and experiences that fuel anxiety and phobias — reducing their emotional intensity and helping you respond to triggers with greater calm.
By processing the distressing memories and negative beliefs that contribute to depression, EMDR can significantly reduce depressive symptoms and improve overall mood and wellbeing.
EMDR helps individuals identify and reprocess the negative self-beliefs formed through difficult experiences — replacing them with more accurate, positive beliefs about themselves.
What EMDR Can Help With
EMDR has a growing evidence base across a wide range of mental health presentations. Click any condition to learn more.
Who We Help
EMDR is suitable for adults, adolescents, and children who have experienced trauma or distressing life events.
EMDR is widely used with adults experiencing PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, and the lasting effects of childhood or adult adversity. It is effective even for long-standing trauma that has not responded to other treatments.
EMDR can be adapted for children and teenagers using age-appropriate protocols. It is particularly helpful for young people who have experienced abuse, accidents, medical trauma, or other distressing events.
EMDR is one of the most effective treatments for occupational trauma in first responders, emergency workers, and veterans. DVA funding may be available for eligible veterans — contact us to discuss.
Common Questions
Explore Further
EMDR is often used alongside other evidence-based therapies. Your psychologist will recommend the approach that best suits your needs.
A deeper, longer-term therapy that addresses core beliefs and emotional patterns formed in early life. Often used alongside EMDR for complex trauma.
A mindfulness-based therapy that builds psychological flexibility. Complements EMDR well in the stabilisation and post-processing phases.
A structured, evidence-based therapy for anxiety, depression, and trauma. Often used alongside EMDR to address unhelpful thinking patterns.
Take the First Step
Our experienced EMDR-trained psychologists are here to support you. Contact us today to book an appointment or to find out whether EMDR is the right approach for you.
