Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing
​EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess memories, without reliving the experience, so that they become less emotionally overwhelming.
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Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence-based therapy, endorsed by the Australian Association of Social Workers and the Australian Psychological Society.
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It has proven effectiveness in helping people heal from distressing or traumatic experiences.
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anxiety
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depression
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grief and loss
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phobias and social anxiety
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performance issues, such as public speaking
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challenges with sexual intimacy
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painful traumatic memories
Many people notice that after EMDR, upsetting memories feel more distance, less vivid and less emotionally charged.
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EMDR could be a valuable step towards overcoming issues that are holding you back. If you're curious about whether EMDR is right for you, feel free to enquire.
How does EMDR work?
​A traumatic event can linger in our minds and the brain sometimes struggles to process memories in healthy way. This leads to 'stuckness', ongoing distress, triggers and negative self beliefs. EMDR has 8 phases with standard procedural steps. Repeated eye movements , tapping or sounds activates both sides of the brain. This is known as bilateral stimulation which helps the brain process negative events and to install new learnings. ​
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​​EMDR addresses underlying causes of distress, rather than just band-aiding symptoms. The emotional charge from particular situations can be neutralised. ​
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Imagine your mind is like a train. Each train car represents a memory or experience. Most of the time, your train moves smoothly. Memories are sorted and stored in the right cars, and your journey continues without disruption. But sometimes, a traumatic or overwhelming experience causes a crash on the track. That memory gets stuck in one of the cars - frozen in time - with all the emotions, images, body sensations, and beliefs from that moment still locked inside. It can feel like every time your train gets near that car, everything derails: you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or triggered.
EMDR acts like a repair crew for your mind’s railway system.
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Through eye movements or tapping, EMDR helps your brain gently move the stuck train car, identify the painful memory, and reprocess it so it no longer derails your journey. You’re not erasing the memory, but you are helping your brain understand, "That was then, this is now". By the end of the process, that once-frozen train car is reorganised, and stored safely. You can look back on it with more distance, clarity, and peace, without it taking over your ride.
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Let’s clear up some common myths:
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EMDR is hypnosis : EMDR does not involve hypnosis. You remain awake, alert, and in control the entire time. The therapy helps you process memories while staying grounded in the present.
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You have to relive your trauma in detail: Unlike some forms of talk therapy, EMDR does not require you to describe the trauma in detail. You’ll think about it briefly, but the focus is on processing, not retelling.
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EMDR is a quick fix : EMDR is a structured, evidence-based therapy—not magic. Some people notice relief quickly, while others need more time. Healing is a process, and EMDR supports that process in a focused way.
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The eye movements are just a gimmick: The bilateral stimulation (like eye movements or tapping) is backed by extensive research. It activates both sides of the brain, helping your nervous system reprocess stuck or overwhelming memories more adaptively.​​
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