Eye Movement Reprocessing and Desensitisation Therapy (EMDR) in Melbourne
Have you experienced something terrible that continues to affect your daily life?
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If you've experienced trauma; have negative thoughts about yourself, others, and the world; or fears and phobias about the future, our skilled therapists can help you process and move on from past traumatic experiences and embrace the future with greater confidence.
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy designed to help people get rid of the distress associated with traumatic memories. EMDR can also help people to cope when faced with triggers, and feel more confident about facing feared situations in the future. EMDR is a recommended therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and shows good effectiveness with bad-but-non-traumatic memories as well.
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EMDR Therapy works by kick-starting your brain's natural tendency to self-heal. When something terrible happens to us (such as a traumatic event), the brain gets overwhelmed and can't process the memory in a normal way. Because of this, the trauma lives on and causes us ongoing distress.
EMDR Therapy works by pairing the distressing memory with bilateral stimulation (similar to what occurs when you're in REM sleep), which helps the memory to be filed away with all your other memories, meaning it no longer causes distress.
After EMDR Therapy, people do not forget what happened to them, and they certainly don't approve of or condone it; but they simply aren't as bothered by it any more, and report the memory feels more distant.
Components of EMDR Therapy
CBT works by targeting three time intervals
1 / Past
Process past traumatic memories, leading to more adaptive ways of thinking and feeling
2 / Present
Work on the triggers and fears/phobias that keep you trapped in distress
3 / Future
Prepare yourself to face future challenges with confidence
It's time to reach out for help if:
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You have active PTSD symptoms (e.g., flashbacks, nightmares, re-experiencing)
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You are self-harming or suicidal because something terrible happened to you
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You have a phobia you want to resolve
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You have something to work through, but can't speak about it in detail
EMDR Therapy is the recommended treatment for PTSD. It has a growing evidence base for a range of other common issues, including:
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Panic
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Fears and phobias
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Grief and loss
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Addictions
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Performance anxiety
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Low self-esteem
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Chronic pain
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Bipolar Disorder
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Personality disorders
Our Locations
We offer face-to-face EMDR Therapy across two convenient locations in Melbourne and online therapy via telehealth Australia-wide
EMDR Therapy FAQs
We're here to answer any questions you have about EMDR Therapy
If you have a question that is not answered below, shoot us an email
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Who is EMDR Therapy suitable for?
EMDR is suitable for many people, and can be easily adapted to meet an individual's needs. It has been used with children and adults, and is effective with neurodivergent people. EMDR would not be recommended for somebody who is currently in an unsafe or highly unstable situation
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How long does EMDR Therapy take?
It’s hard to say exactly how long EMDR Therapy takes, as everyone is different. The number of sessions will depend on a range of factors, including whether you have something else you’re struggling with (e.g., another diagnosis or multiple traumas), and how well your environment supports you to change
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When is EMDR Therapy helpful?
EMDR Therapy is most effective for PTSD, and has a growing evidence base for other mental health conditions. It may be time to explore EMDR Therapy if:
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you have PTSD symptoms and need urgent relief
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you've tried other therapies with little effect
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you'd rather not analyse the ins and outs of your past experiences
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you want experiential change
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you're suffering daily and need to function
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you recognise patterns of negative thoughts relating to past experiences
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Do I need a referral for EMDR Therapy?
You don’t need a referral to do EMDR Therapy. However, if you wish to receive Medicare rebates (with eligible clinicians), you should speak to your GP about getting a Mental Health Treatment Plan