Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Is EMDR helpful for me?

EMDR might be a good fit for you if you:

  • Have experienced trauma

  • Continue to have strong, intense, distressing memories or emotions

What can EMDR help with?

EMDR can help with a wide range of mental health challenges, including:

  • Complex trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  • Mood management (e.g., low mood, depression, bipolar, suicidality, self harm)

  • Anxiety management (e.g., stress, burnout)

  • Panic attacks

  • Phobias

  • Grief and loss

  • Strong distressing memories and experiences

  • Anger management

  • Men’s mental health

What should I expect when doing EMDR?

In EMDR, your psychologist will help you:

  • Set your goals for therapy, including any challenging memories or experiences you want to focus on

  • Understand the process of EMDR to ensure you have a thorough understanding and are well prepared

  • Use bilateral stimulation and imagery re-processing to lessen the intensity and strength of some of your challenging memories and experiences

As there can be a lot to cover in an EMDR session, you may not do bilateral stimulation in your very first session. Sessions are also a little longer than usual, e.g., 90 minutes.

How do I start doing EMDR?

It’s important to understand if EMDR is right for you and your therapy goals. A Clinical Psychologist at Sonderful Psychology can help. Reach out to us today to find out more, either in our Campbelltown office or via telehealth.

What is Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)?

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychological therapy for trauma and distressing memories. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation techniques such as eye movements, tapping, or squeezing. These help your brain to re-process your distressing memories, so they feel less intense and overwhelming. At Sonderful Psychology, we have extensive training and skills in administering EMDR, including the use of EMDR equipment and technology to make the process easier for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about EMDR

  • Yes, EMDR is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they become less intense and easier to manage.

  • No, EMDR is not only for trauma. While it is widely used for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), EMDR can also help with anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, and depression. Many people seek EMDR therapy to process distressing life experiences that continue to affect their thoughts, emotions, or behaviour.

  • EMDR works by using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or tapping, while you focus on a distressing memory. This helps the brain re-process the memory in a different way, reducing its emotional intensity over time.

  • Yes, EMDR is well-researched, and considered a safe and well-established therapy when conducted by a trained psychologist. Your therapist will guide you through the process carefully and ensure you feel supported throughout treatment.

  • The number of EMDR sessions varies depending on your goals and the complexity of your experiences. Some people notice improvement within a few sessions, while others may require longer-term therapy to fully process multiple experiences.

  • Not necessarily. EMDR does not require you to describe your experiences in detail. Instead, it focuses on how memories are processed in the brain, which can make it a helpful option for people who find it difficult to talk about their trauma.

  • If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, your EMDR sessions will be eligible for Medicare rebates at Sonderful Psychology. Under this plan, you can typically access up to 10 rebated psychology sessions per year, although there may still be some out-of-pocket costs. You can find out more information on our Fees page.

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