EMDR Therapy
For trauma, distressing memories and experiences that continue to affect you
Sometimes an experience is firmly in the past, but your reactions to it haven't changed in the same way. You may understand what happened and why it affected you, yet still experience intense anxiety, emotional overwhelm, shutdown or a sense of threat in situations where there is no immediate danger.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an established treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be considered as part of therapy for other trauma-related difficulties, including experiences that have developed over time. Whether EMDR is appropriate depends on your circumstances, the difficulties you're experiencing and what you hope to work towards.
I offer EMDR therapy in Murrumbeena, Melbourne, and online across Australia. My work is particularly informed by experience supporting adults affected by childhood trauma, emotional and domestic abuse, and complex relationship experiences.
EMDR can be used as part of this broader therapeutic work, with careful attention to preparation, safety and what feels manageable for each person.
Some of what EMDR can help with
Traumatic memories that still feel vivid, intrusive or “close”, even years later
Trauma responses that don't seem to match the present moment: panic, shutdown, or flooding triggered by seemingly small things
Emotional flashbacks connected to earlier relationships or childhood experiences
Distressing memories connected to a specific event, relationship, or period of your life
Situations where you've done a lot of “understanding” work already but still feel stuck in your body's response
You don't necessarily need a single, clearly defined traumatic event for EMDR to be considered. EMDR can also be incorporated into therapy for longer-standing or relational trauma, although this work often requires more preparation, pacing and stabilisation than treatment of a single event.
How I use EMDR
I integrate EMDR within a broader trauma-informed, attachment-based approach, rather than using it as a stand-alone technique. Before any reprocessing work begins, we spend time building safety, stability and enough capacity to stay present with difficult material. This isn't a formality; careful preparation can be particularly important when the trauma is complex, longstanding or relational.
In practice, that usually means:
Establishing safety first
Understanding your history, building resourcing and grounding skills, and making sure you have enough stability before we approach distressing material.
Working at your pace
We identify a specific memory or theme to work with, and I'll guide you through the reprocessing process. You stay in control throughout; we can pause, slow down, or stop at any point.
Integrating what shifts
As processing progresses, the memory can begin to feel less emotionally charged and less present-tense. Beliefs attached to it, such as “it was my fault,” “I'm not safe,” or “I can't trust myself,” may also begin to change.
I have completed EMDR Institute Basic Training in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) with EMDR Training Australia & New Zealand. The training is accredited by the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA).
I am also working toward EMDRAA Practitioner Accreditation through ongoing clinical practice and consultation.
What happens during EMDR?
During EMDR, I'll ask you to bring a particular memory or experience to mind, along with some of the thoughts, emotions or sensations connected to it. You don't need to describe everything in detail.
While you hold aspects of the experience in mind, I'll guide you through short sets of bilateral stimulation, usually eye movements from side to side. We pause regularly so you can notice what is coming up and what, if anything, is beginning to shift.
You remain awake, aware and in control throughout. EMDR isn't hypnosis, and you're not being asked to relive the experience as though it is happening again. The aim is for the memory to become less distressing and less disruptive in your present life, rather than to erase or change what happened.
There isn't a particular response you're supposed to have. Memories, emotions, physical sensations, images or new associations may arise, or the experience may simply begin to feel more distant or less charged. I'll guide the process, but we follow what emerges for you.
EMDR for Childhood and Complex Trauma
When trauma has developed through repeated experiences, rather than a single event, identifying what to work with can be more complicated. We may need to consider present-day triggers, longstanding beliefs about yourself and experiences across different relationships.
Childhood emotional neglect, repeated criticism, unpredictability or harmful relationships can affect how someone understands themselves and responds to other people. Shame, self-doubt, hypervigilance and difficulties with trust may continue long after those experiences have ended.
EMDR can form part of this work, although it may require a more individualised treatment plan. We may work with particular memories, recurring themes or present-day situations that activate earlier patterns. This doesn't mean revisiting every painful experience, and the aim isn't to recover memories that are unclear or inaccessible.
For some people, EMDR becomes an important part of therapy. For others, attachment-focused, relational or other trauma-informed approaches may be more suitable, either alongside EMDR or instead of it.
Face-to-Face and Online EMDR
EMDR sessions are available online and in person in Murrumbeena, Melbourne. Some people prefer the additional sense of containment that comes with working face to face, while others find online EMDR comfortable and accessible, particularly if getting to a clinic regularly isn't practical or a familiar space at home feels safer to work from.
We can discuss which format is likely to suit you, and it may be possible to move between the two if your circumstances change.
EMDR Session Information
Location: Face-to-face sessions at 203 Poath Road, Murrumbeena, Melbourne, or online across Australia where clinically appropriate.
Session length: Generally 60–90 minutes, depending on the stage of treatment and your individual needs.
Getting started: We begin with an initial consultation to understand what you're experiencing, discuss your treatment goals and consider whether EMDR is an appropriate approach for you.
Fees: You can find current session fees and information about private health rebates on the Fees & FAQ page.
How Online EMDR Works
If we work online, you'll need a private space where you won't be interrupted, a stable internet connection and a device positioned so I can see your face and upper body clearly. This helps me observe how you're responding throughout the session.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (BLS), such as alternating eye movements, taps or tones, during reprocessing. In person, I generally use guided eye movements. Online, there are several options:
Visual — following a moving point across your screen with your eyes. This may suit people who find visual tracking comfortable.
Tactile — alternating taps, such as tapping your knees or shoulders. This may be an alternative if visual tracking feels uncomfortable or tiring.
Auditory — alternating tones through headphones. This offers another option for people who prefer not to use visual tracking.
We'll discuss which method is appropriate and comfortable for you. The form and pace of bilateral stimulation can be adjusted during treatment, depending on how you're responding.
Is EMDR the right fit for you?
EMDR isn't always the right starting point, and it isn't something we'd automatically move into in a first session. If you're carrying complex or long-standing trauma, we may spend time first on stabilisation, preparation and building enough capacity to work safely with difficult material.
You don't need to decide for yourself whether EMDR is the right treatment. We can consider that together as part of your initial assessment and decide whether EMDR, another approach, or a combination is most appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR
Do I need to remember my trauma clearly for EMDR?
Not necessarily. Some people have clear memories of particular events, while others remember little about specific incidents but recognise patterns of fear, distress or difficulties in relationships. This can be especially relevant when childhood experiences involved ongoing emotional neglect, criticism or unpredictability rather than a single traumatic event.
EMDR doesn't require a complete, detailed account of your childhood. We do, however, need to identify something meaningful to work with. This might begin with a present-day trigger, a distressing memory, a belief about yourself or an emotional response that we explore together.
Having unclear memories doesn't automatically rule out EMDR, but it does influence how we approach treatment. The aim isn't to uncover or recover forgotten experiences. It's to help reduce the distress associated with experiences and responses that are affecting you now.
Will I have to talk about everything that happened?
No. EMDR doesn't generally require you to describe traumatic experiences in detail or repeatedly recount what happened. During reprocessing, I'll ask you to briefly notice what is coming up, often in just a few words, while much of the processing takes place internally.
You have a say in what you disclose and how we approach difficult material. We do need enough shared understanding to assess what we're working with and ensure treatment is appropriate, but that doesn't mean telling me every detail of what happened.
If some experiences feel too painful, private or exposing to put into words, we can talk about how to approach them without requiring a detailed account. Developing enough trust and safety to work with difficult experiences is part of the therapeutic process.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
It varies from person to person. When EMDR focuses on a single, more recent traumatic event, change can sometimes happen over a relatively small number of sessions. When trauma is complex, longstanding or relational, therapy may take longer, particularly if there are several experiences or patterns to work through.
Other factors also play a part, including your current circumstances, emotional readiness, treatment goals and the pace that feels manageable for you.
We'll discuss what treatment might involve during your initial consultation and review your progress together as we go. There isn't a fixed number of sessions that suits everyone, and we can adjust our approach depending on how you're responding.
Can EMDR feel distressing?
It can. Working with painful experiences may bring up difficult emotions, memories or physical sensations during a session. Some people also notice increased emotional sensitivity, vivid dreams or tiredness afterwards. These responses vary, and feeling more distressed isn't necessarily a sign that treatment is working.
This is one of the reasons preparation matters. Before reprocessing begins, we'll consider what helps you manage distress and develop strategies you can use both during and between sessions.
During processing, you can ask to pause, slow down or stop at any time. I also leave time at the end of sessions to help you settle before you leave, and we'll discuss what to do if difficult feelings arise between appointments.
The aim is to work at a pace that allows difficult experiences to be approached without leaving you feeling overwhelmed.
Interested in EMDR?
If you're considering EMDR therapy, an initial consultation offers an opportunity to talk about what's bringing you to therapy, what you hope might change and whether EMDR could be a suitable part of your treatment.
You don't need to have a particular traumatic memory identified or know exactly where to begin. We can explore that together.
Or, if you'd like to understand more about my wider therapeutic approach, you can read about How I Work.
EMDR works with experiences that still feel present, even when you know they are over.