What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, or EMDR therapy, is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions and problems. Recognised as a Level One treatment for PTSD—the highest level of scientific evidence available—EMDR is endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and approved by the Australian Government as a recommended PTSD treatment. EMDR has become one of the most well-researched approaches for trauma healing and is trusted globally for its effectiveness in helping people recover from trauma.

In everyday life, our brains typically process and integrate distressing experiences over time, allowing us to heal and move forward. However, when we experience trauma, this natural processing system can become blocked, causing the traumatic memories to remain "stuck" and unprocessed. These stuck memories can lead to a range of troubling symptoms, known as unprocessed trauma symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of "Stuck" or Unprocessed Trauma

Symptoms of unprocessed trauma or stuck memories can vary, but common signs include:

Physical sensations such as a tight chest, racing heart, or a feeling of heaviness in the stomach.
Nightmares or vivid, intrusive memories that interrupt daily life.
Strong emotional responses like anger, panic, sadness, guilt, or regret.
Negative beliefs related to the trauma, such as "I’m not good enough," "I should have done more," or "I am powerless."

These lingering symptoms can be disruptive and overwhelming, but EMDR therapy offers a way to release and reprocess these memories. By working with EMDR, people can experience healthier memory integration and significant reductions in PTSD and trauma symptoms.

Trauma Doesn’t Always Mean Major Life Events

It’s essential to understand that trauma doesn’t always stem from major events; any distressing experience that deeply affects you can cause trauma. For instance, a betrayal in a past relationship may lead to intense fears of infidelity in future relationships. This is an example of trauma—the pain of the past resurfacing in the present. EMDR therapy can help address these feelings and relieve the distress caused by past experiences.

Healing from Trauma Symptoms with EMDR Therapy

One of the key benefits of EMDR therapy for PTSD and trauma is its ability to significantly reduce trauma symptoms, offering real hope for recovery. Many people mistakenly believe that PTSD and trauma symptoms are permanent conditions that they have to live with. This is simply not true - EMDR (and all the research) has demonstrated that true healing and relief are possible.

While EMDR therapy can’t change past events, it can change how these memories affect you today. Many clients report feeling “lighter” after EMDR, as if a weight has been lifted. By helping you process and release the burden of past trauma, EMDR allows you to leave the past where it belongs—in the past—so that you can move forward freely in your present life.

Benefits of EMDR Therapy for PTSD and Trauma

With EMDR, you’re choosing a well-researched, effective method for addressing trauma, PTSD, and difficult memories or emotions. EMDR therapy has helped countless individuals reclaim their lives from the grip of trauma, allowing for a brighter, more empowered future.

How Does EMDR Work?

EMDR is a wonderfully unique therapy approach! While it may seem a little unconventional at first, it’s incredibly effective in helping people work through trauma and other distressing memories.

Take a moment to watch this brief video from the EMDR Association of Australia, which provides an engaging overview of how EMDR works. Interestingly, although EMDR’s effectiveness is well-documented, we don’t fully understand why it works. However, the video introduces a widely accepted theory about its mechanism, one that has solid research support.

Online EMDR

Online EMDR is actually awesome. We use 'RemotEMDR', a dedicated online EMDR service, and the treatment gains are, in our humble opinion, identical to therapy conducted in person (though, there is also research supporting this now too). This enables amazing flexibility (and also means you don't need to deal with rush-hour traffic, or parking). Many clients are initially uncertain about online EMDR, but in our experience, once people give it a go, they're not interested in doing it in person anymore!

We are extremely serious about providing high quality services, and we have invested in our online infastructure to ensure your online therapy experience is second to none. EMDR can be safely and effectively conducted online, meaning you can access high quality, evidence-based trauma treatment from the comfort of your own space.

Is Your EMDR Therapist Accredited?

Helen is one of the most highly trained EMDR therapists in Adelaide. She’s not only fully accredited by the EMDR Association of Australia, but she’s also an EMDR consultant, providing training and guidance to other therapists learning EMDR.

When you choose Helen, you’re choosing a therapist who has gone above and beyond. Her extensive experience ensures you receive the highest standard of care.

Whichever EMDR therapist you choose, we strongly encourage you to check the EMDRAA website to confirm that your clinician is fully trained, and ideally, accredited as an EMDR practitioner. Anyone can call themselves an 'EMDR therapist' - make sure you're putting your care in competent hands.