EMDR Therapy Melbourne & Online Worldwide
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is based in part on the idea that we have a natural capacity to process difficult experiences. Sometimes, though, an experience can remain emotionally charged long after it has happened. You might know that something is in the past, but still find yourself reacting strongly when something reminds you of it — emotionally and physically.
Our brain has a natural ability to make sense of experiences and recognise when something is over. But when an experience feels overwhelming, frightening, or deeply stressful, this can become more difficult. Parts of the experience may continue to affect how you feel, what you believe about yourself or others, or how your body responds in situations that remind you of it.
EMDR therapy helps you work with these experiences in a different way. Using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tactile pulses or tapping, EMDR helps you process what happened so that it can feel more like something that happened in the past, rather than something that is still happening now.
What Happens After an Overwhelming Experience
Our brain is constantly making sense of what happens to us and updating our understanding of ourselves, other people and the world around us. Most experiences become memories that we can remember without feeling as though we're back in them.
But when something feels overwhelming, frightening or deeply stressful, this process can become disrupted. In moments of threat, the brain's internal “smoke alarm” switches on. We might go into fight, flight, freeze or shutdown, or become highly focused on keeping other people calm.
When we're in this state, it can be harder for the brain to fully process what is happening and recognise that the experience is over. Instead, aspects of it can continue to affect us in the present.
This might show up as anxiety, tension, hypervigilance, emotional overwhelm, shutdown, intrusive thoughts, nightmares or strong reactions when something reminds you of what happened. Experiences like these can also shape what we come to believe about ourselves, other people and the world around us.
“I'm not good enough.”
“I can't trust anyone.”
“I'm not safe.”
These beliefs are often the mind’s best attempt to make sense of experiences that felt threatening, confusing, overwhelming, or unsupported at the time.
EMDR works by helping the brain process experiences that have remained “stuck,” often because they were overwhelming or happened when there wasn’t enough support. It uses bilateral stimulation - such as gentle eye movements, tapping, or sounds — to support the brain’s natural ability to make sense of those experiences and reduce their emotional charge.
In EMDR therapy, we work collaboratively. We start by exploring what’s showing up in your life now — the reactions, patterns, or difficulties you’d like support with.
You don’t need to have a clear memory or know exactly where things began. Together, we decide what feels like a manageable and appropriate place to start.
Before processing begins, we spend time preparing and making sure you understand what the work will involve and have ways of staying connected to yourself if things become difficult.
When you’re ready, we gently focus on one experience at a time. This may involve noticing:
whatever stands out most about the memory (this might be an image, a feeling, or a bodily sensation)
the belief about yourself that seems to be linked to it
what you would like to believe instead
the emotions and body sensations that are present now
As you hold this lightly in mind, we guide the bilateral stimulation. You don’t need to analyse, explain, or force anything - you simply notice what comes up. We pause regularly to check in, making sure the process stays within a range that feels tolerable and safe for your nervous system.
Over time, the memory often becomes less vivid and less emotionally charged. As this happens, people commonly notice shifts in how they feel about themselves, others, and the situation because the experience no longer feels as emotionally present or overwhelming.
How EMDR Works
How EMDR Creates Change
During EMDR, you continue to notice what comes up while using bilateral stimulation. Rather than deliberately trying to change your thoughts or feelings, we allow your mind to make connections and update the experience.
As the memory becomes less emotionally charged, you may find that you can think about what happened without experiencing the same intensity of emotion or body response.
You may also notice changes in the beliefs connected to the experience. For example, “I'm not good enough” might begin to feel less true, while a more grounded sense of “I did the best I could” or “I'm okay now” becomes easier to access.
People can experience changes such as:
memories feeling more distant
less emotional or physical reactivity
reduced shame or self-blame
feeling less triggered by reminders
greater flexibility in how they see themselves or others
These changes can sometimes extend beyond the specific experience being processed, affecting how you respond in relationships and everyday situations.
EMDR Therapy Online
EMDR can be provided effectively through online therapy, and I offer EMDR sessions via secure video across Australia and worldwide (excluding the US).
What does online EMDR therapy online look like?
Online EMDR involves meeting with me by video while I guide you through the different stages of EMDR therapy, including preparation, resourcing and processing.
During EMDR processing, I use an online bilateral stimulation tool that allows you to follow a moving visual stimulus on your screen. Other forms of bilateral stimulation, such as tactile stimulation or tapping, may also be used depending on what works best for you.
I guide the bilateral stimulation throughout the session and remain with you as you notice what comes up. You don't need to operate the process yourself — I'll guide you through what to do and check in with you along the way.
You can participate in online EMDR from your own space, without needing to travel to an appointment. You'll need a private space where you won't be interrupted, along with a computer or laptop and a reliable internet connection.
We'll discuss whether online EMDR is appropriate for you before beginning processing.
Session Length & Fees
EMDR processing is generally offered in an extended 75-minute session. The additional time allows us to settle into the work, have enough time for processing, and allow space to come back to the present before the session ends.
People usually begin with standard 50-minute sessions while we focus on getting to know one another and preparing for EMDR. We'll discuss the most appropriate session length before processing begins.
75-minute EMDR sessions are $320.00