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One of our approaches
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a structured approach that helps your brain “unstick” memories that still feel raw or overwhelming, even years later.
You don’t have to tell the whole story out loud for it to start losing its grip.
How it works
The idea behind it
When something overwhelming happens, your brain doesn’t always file the memory away normally. It can get stored so it still feels present-tense, like it’s happening again rather than something in the past. That’s why a memory from years ago can still spike your heart rate today.
EMDR uses what’s called bilateral stimulation: a simple side-to-side rhythm, like following your clinician’s hand with your eyes, or alternating taps or tones. You do this while briefly bringing the memory to mind. Holding the memory and tracking the movement at the same time takes up some of your brain’s attention. That seems to make the memory feel less vivid and less intense each time you revisit it. Researchers compare it to what happens in dreaming sleep, when your eyes move and your brain sorts through the day. Over repeated rounds, the memory usually becomes easier to think about. New beliefs, like “it’s over now” or “I survived,” start to feel true, not just logical.
In session
What a session looks like
EMDR follows eight phases. Most of the actual processing happens in the middle ones.
Your clinician starts by understanding what you’re carrying. Then they teach you calming and grounding techniques, so you have tools ready before any processing begins. Together, you pick a specific target memory: the image, the negative belief attached to it (like “I’m not safe”), the positive belief you’d rather have (like “I’m safe now”), and where you feel it in your body.
Processing means briefly bringing the memory to mind while doing the side-to-side sets. You pause between sets to notice what comes up: an image, a feeling, a body sensation, or sometimes nothing at all. Your clinician checks how distressed you’re feeling as you go. Once that comes down, you strengthen the positive belief and check for any lingering tension in your body.
Every session ends with you feeling settled, whether or not processing is complete. The next session starts by checking in on how the memory feels now. You don’t need to describe the memory out loud. You bring it to mind privately while your clinician guides the sets.
Frequently asked questions
Is this covered by insurance?
The approach doesn’t change the coverage. Most extended health plans cover sessions with a Registered Counselling Therapist or Registered Social Worker. Call the number on your benefits card and ask. We bill most major insurers directly, so you only pay what your plan doesn’t cover; otherwise you get a receipt after every session.
How many sessions will it take?
It depends on you and what you’re working on. By session two you’ll have a written plan, and every few sessions we check in with the same short questions so you can see what’s changing. You can stop at any time.
Does it work online?
Yes. We offer every approach in person in Dartmouth and by secure video anywhere in Nova Scotia. If one of them works better in person, we’ll tell you.
Does it cost more?
No. Whichever approach we use, it’s included in your standard session fee. See fees and insurance.
Ready when you are.
You don’t need to choose an approach before you book. That’s our job, together with you, in the first two sessions.