.png)
Positive Outcomes Psychology
0408 455 449
EMDR Therapy:
How it works, Who it helps, and What to expect in sessions
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a psychological therapy developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in 1987. It is one of the most researched treatments in psychology, and is recognised by The World Health Organisation as the number one treatment for PTSD.
EMDR uses eye movements to unblock emotional processes that have been stagnant due to distress, you can reprogram your brain, in a sense, to begin to heal from the fear and pain associated with trauma and emotional distress. It does not require talking in detail about the distressing issues or homework between sessions.
​
While EMDR is widely known for its power in treating trauma, it is less well known for its ability to address the everyday negative core beliefs that shape our thoughts, behaviours, and relationships. These beliefs, often developed in childhood, can subtly influence how we perceive ourselves and interact with the world.​
​​
Why EMDR?
EMDR helps the brain process distressing experiences, unhelpful beliefs, and emotional patterns that contribute to anxiety, depression, phobias, and other mental health challenges. unlike traditional talk therapy alone, EMDR works directly with the way memories and experiences are stored in the brain, allowing emotional intensity to reduce and more adaptive beliefs to emerge. this structured approach can create meaningful, lasting change, often helping clients move forward more efficiently and with greater emotional clarity. ​
​
EMDR allows you to gain a new perspective that can facilitate improved self-esteem and enhance your personal beliefs about your capabilities.
​
How EMDR Works?
EMDR helps your brain do what it is naturally designed to do, process experiences in a healthy way. Sometimes stressful events, strong emotions, or negative beliefs can feel 'stuck', continuing to trigger anxiety, low mood, or distress long after the situation has passed. In EMDR sessions, we gently identify the memories or patterns connected to your current difficulties and use guided eye movements to help your brain reprocess them. As this happens, the emotional charge reduces, unhelpful beliefs begin to shift, and many people notice they feel calmer, clearer, and more in control in everyday life.
Who it Helps?
EMDR can help adults and adolescents experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges. This includes people struggling with anxiety, depression, phobias, stress, low self-confidence, or persistent negative thoughts. It is also helpful for who feel 'stuck' in repeating emotional patterns. For example, noticing they tend to attract the same unhealthy relationships or find themselves in similar painful situations. Often, these patterns are linked to deeply held beliefs formed through earlier experiences. EMDR works to gently process and update these beliefs, reducing their emotional charge and helping people respond to life and relationships in healthier, more confident ways. If difficult memories, beliefs, or emotions are affecting your daily life, EMDR may be a supportive and effective option.
What to Expect in Session?
Your first session focuses on understanding you and your history. We take time to explore your current concerns, relevant past experiences, goals for therapy, and any patterns you've noticed. As part of the assessment process, you will also complete psychometric testing, which help us gain a clearer, objective understanding of your symptoms and allow us to track progress over time. In the second session, we review the results of this assessment together, clarify your goals, develop a structured treatment plan, provide a clear explanation on how EMDR works so you know exactly what to expect. From the third session onward, we begin EMDR processing, working at a pace that feels safe and manageable.
During EMDR sessions, you will be asked to briefly focus on a specific memory, belief, or feeling while following guided eye movements. You are not required to go into extensive detail about experiences, and you remain fully aware and in control throughout. As the brain processes the material, many people notice the emotional intensity reduces and their perspective begins to shift in more balanced and helpful direction. We regularly pause to check in., ensuring you feel supported and comfortable at every stage of the process.
For more in depth information about EMDR,
click on the links below: