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What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's an evidence-based therapy developed in the late 1980s, and it's now one of the most well-researched treatments for trauma and PTSD in the world.
The core idea is that distressing experiences - especially overwhelming or traumatic ones - can get "stuck" in the nervous system in a way that prevents normal processing.
EMDR helps the brain do what it couldn't do at the time — fully process and integrate the experience, so it loses its grip.
How does it work?
During EMDR processing, you hold a distressing memory in mind while engaging in bilateral stimulation - typically following the therapist's hand movements with your eyes, or using tapping.
This back-and-forth stimulation activates both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously, in a way that appears to mimic what happens during REM sleep, when the brain naturally consolidates and processes experiences.
What tends to happen is that the memory begins to shift. The emotional intensity decreases. New perspectives emerge. By the end of processing, the memory is still there, but it no longer feels as intense.
What can it help with?
EMDR was originally developed for PTSD, and it remains one of the gold-standard treatments for it. But the applications have expanded considerably. EMDR can be helpful for:
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD
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Single-incident trauma (accidents, assaults, medical events)
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Childhood trauma and adverse early experiences
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Anxiety and panic
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Phobias
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Low self-worth and shame rooted in past experiences
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Patterns that persist despite years of talk therapy
What does an EMDR session look like with me?
EMDR is not something we jump straight into. The early phase of our work together is about preparation: building safety, establishing coping resources, and making sure you have what you need to process difficult material without becoming overwhelmed.
When we do move into processing, I'll guide you through it step by step. You'll never be asked to do anything that doesn't feel manageable. We'll check in frequently, and you're always in control of the pace.
I integrate EMDR with somatic awareness — paying attention to what's happening in your body during processing, not just your thoughts and emotions. This tends to deepen the work and supports more complete integration.
Ready to Learn More?
If you've been sitting with something for a long time and you're wondering whether there's a way through it that you haven't tried yet, I'd be glad to talk. The consultation is free, 20 minutes, and there's no pressure to commit to anything.
Inner Light Counselling is located in Vernon, BC and offers virtual sessions to clients across British Columbia.