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NuVue Counselling

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Helping Your Brain Heal from Trauma, Anxiety, and Distressing Life Experiences

Sometimes we know we're safe, but our body doesn't seem to believe it.

You may find yourself reacting in ways that don't make sense; feeling overwhelmed, shutting down, experiencing panic, avoiding certain situations, or feeling emotionally stuck. These responses are often not signs that something is wrong with you. They are signs that your nervous system is doing exactly what it learned to do to protect you.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps the brain process difficult experiences so they no longer feel as emotionally or physically overwhelming.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR works with both the brain and nervous system, allowing distressing memories to become integrated rather than continually reactivated.

What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.

Developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR is recognized internationally as one of the most effective treatments for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Today, EMDR is also used to treat:

  • PTSD

  • Complex trauma

  • Childhood trauma

  • Anxiety

  • Panic attacks

  • Depression

  • Grief

  • Phobias

  • Relationship difficulties

  • Low self-esteem

  • Performance anxiety

  • Chronic stress

  • Medical trauma

  • Attachment wounds

How Does Bilateral Stimulation Help?


During EMDR, we use bilateral stimulation, which may include:

  • Eye movements

  • Alternating tapping

  • Hand-held pulsers

  • Alternating sounds through headphones

Research suggests that bilateral stimulation helps tax working memory and activate the brain's natural information processing system while keeping you connected to the present moment.

Many researchers believe it also reduces the vividness and emotional intensity of distressing memories while allowing new, more adaptive information to become integrated.

A woman and a man sitting in chairs, with the woman holding up her hand in a stop gesture.

When something overwhelming happens, the brain normally processes the experience and stores it as a memory.

Sometimes, however, an experience is simply too overwhelming.

Instead of becoming a memory of something that happened, it becomes something that still feels like it is happening.

This is why certain sights, sounds, smells, thoughts, or situations can trigger intense emotions, physical sensations, or beliefs such as:

  • "I'm not safe."

  • "I'm not good enough."

  • "It's my fault."

  • "I have no control."

These memories become stored in their original emotional state.

EMDR helps the brain finish processing these experiences so they become part of your past instead of continuing to affect your present.

How Does EMDR Work?

Title slide with text about the 8 phases of EMDR therapy, showing numbered circles connected by lines on the right side of the image and a brief description about the process on a green background.
Slide from a presentation titled 'The 8 phases of EMDR therapy,' focusing on Phase 1: History & Treatment Planning. It highlights exploring concerns, life experiences, triggers, and treatment goals with a brief paragraph about assessment and planning, along with a small graphic of a clipboard.
Slide titled "The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy - Phase 2 Preparation," describing the importance of preparation before processing traumatic memories, listing skills such as grounding, emotional regulation, nervous system regulation, coping strategies, internal resources, and safe imagery, with a note about feeling prepared before memory processing, and branding as 'NuVue Counselling' at the bottom.
A webpage discussing phases 3-6 of EMDR therapy, focusing on reprocessing, with a section listing symptoms like thoughts, emotions, body sensations, images, and memories, and an inspirational quote about the brain's natural healing process, from NuVue Counselling.
Slide from a presentation titled "The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy" showing phase 7: Closure, with the subtitle "Every session ends with stabilization" and a note "You’ll leave with grounding strategies and a plan for managing anything that continues processing between sessions." The slide has a minimalist design with a light background, soft gray text, a small circular icon with a leaf, and decorative lines at the bottom.
Slide from a presentation about EMDR therapy explaining Phase 8: Reevaluation. The slide lists points to review at the beginning of the next session, including changes noticed, remaining distress, new insights, and next treatment targets. There is a circular arrow icon on the right and a footer with the text "NuVue Counselling."

Questions, answered.

Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR

  • Everyone experiences EMDR differently.

    Many people describe it as:

    • surprisingly gentle

    • emotionally relieving

    • mentally tiring

    • deeply insightful

    You remain awake, aware, and in control throughout the entire process.

    You can pause at any time.

    Many clients report that memories become:

    • less vivid

    • less emotionally charged

    • easier to think about

    • more like something that happened instead of something that is still happening

  • No.

    Unlike many trauma therapies, EMDR does not require you to describe every detail of your experiences.

    While some discussion is necessary, many people appreciate that they don't have to repeatedly retell painful memories.

  • Yes—when provided by a properly trained clinician.

    EMDR includes extensive preparation before trauma processing begins.

    The goal is not to overwhelm you.

    Instead, therapy proceeds at a pace your nervous system can tolerate.

    If EMDR is not appropriate at a particular stage of treatment, we may spend more time building stability before beginning memory processing.

  • Not always.

    EMDR can be highly effective, but good therapy means choosing the right approach at the right time.

    Some clients benefit from additional preparation before trauma processing begins.

    Together we'll determine whether EMDR is appropriate based on your history, current symptoms, supports, and treatment goals.

  • There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

    Treatment depends on factors such as:

    • the number of distressing experiences

    • how long difficulties have been present

    • current stressors

    • nervous system regulation

    • treatment goals

    Some people notice meaningful improvements within several sessions, while others benefit from longer-term work.

    Healing is individualized.

  • It is common to notice continued processing between appointments.

    You may experience:

    • new memories

    • vivid dreams

    • emotional shifts

    • new insights

    • changes in how situations affect you

    This is often a normal part of the brain's healing process.

    We'll discuss ways to care for yourself between sessions and review any changes together.

  • EMDR is one of the most extensively researched trauma therapies available.

    Research consistently shows EMDR can reduce symptoms of:

    • PTSD

    • anxiety

    • depression

    • trauma-related distress

    Many international organizations recommend EMDR as a first-line treatment for trauma.

  • No. You remain fully aware and in control throughout every session.

  • Some people notice temporary increases in emotions or memories as the brain continues processing between sessions. This is usually short-lived, and we prepare for this together with grounding strategies and ongoing support.

  • Yes. Many people seek EMDR years—or even decades—after difficult experiences. The age of the memory does not necessarily determine whether it can be processed.

  • No. EMDR can often work even when memories are incomplete or fragmented.

  • Yes. Research supports the effectiveness of virtual EMDR when appropriate safety, preparation, and technology are in place. Many clients experience meaningful progress through online sessions.