EMDR Therapy
A focused approach to therapy to help children & adults of all ages overcome the effects of trauma.
Offering in-person therapy in Brantford, Brant, Kitchener, Toronto, & Simcoe, and virtual therapy across Ontario, BC, & Newfoundland
EMDR Therapy can help you, your child, or teen:
REPROCESS DISTRESSING MEMORIES
SHIFT EMOTIONS, PHYSICAL SENSATIONS & BELIEFS
HEAL FROM ANXIETY, TRAUMA, & MORE
“I just want to move on”
When the past keeps creeping up on you, playing on repeat in your mind when you least expect it, it can feel like you’re stuck in a loop. Certain sounds or situations trigger these memories, making your body react as if it’s happening all over again.
You want to move past it, but your mind won’t let you.
EMDR Therapy can help put distressing memories in their place so you can find relief.
EMDR Therapy In Ontario
What is EMDR Therapy?
Imagine your brain is like a library where memories are stored. Sometimes, painful memories get stuck and keep bothering you, like a book that keeps falling off the shelf. EMDR therapy helps your brain organize these memories in a way that keeps them in their place.
It does this by using simple activities, like tapping or following movement back and forth, while you think about the upsetting memory, in order to reduce the negative emotions or vividness associated with it.
As a result, the memory doesn’t bother you as much anymore, and you can feel more at ease.
EMDR Therapy can help you or your child:
- Process and heal from traumatic experiences.
- Alleviate distressing symptoms like flashbacks and nightmares.
- Develop healthier coping mechanisms for managing intense emotions.
- Improve self-awareness and understanding of past experiences.
- Strengthen resilience and overall well-being.
EMDR Therapy may be beneficial if you or your child are:
- Suffering from anxiety or panic attacks
- Having nightmares or flashbacks
- Often experiencing physical reactions to memories
- Living with fear, guilt, or shame around the trauma
- Having intrusive thoughts that affect your focus
- Experiencing disconnection in relationships
- Feeling emotionally numb or confused
EMDR Therapy In Ontario
What makes EMDR Therapy so effective?
EMDR Therapy offers a unique and effective way to find relief and healing from past events by:
Offering a comfortable and non-invasive approach
EMDR therapy respects your comfort level by not requiring you to talk extensively about distressing events or complete homework between sessions. This can alleviate the pressure of having to verbally recount traumatic experiences, making the therapy process more manageable and less daunting.
Empowering you to process trauma
By stimulating the brain’s natural healing mechanisms, EMDR therapy empowers you to confront and process traumatic memories in a safe and controlled environment. Rather than being overwhelmed or controlled by these memories, you can gradually remember them without feeling trapped or consumed by their emotional intensity. This fosters a sense of empowerment and liberation from the grip of past trauma.
Being efficient and effective
One of the remarkable aspects of EMDR therapy is its efficiency. Many clients find that they can achieve significant progress in fewer sessions compared to other forms of psychotherapy. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals seeking relief from distressing symptoms and seeking to regain control over their lives within a shorter timeframe.
Offering culturally sensitive healing
EMDR therapy transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, making it accessible and effective for individuals from diverse backgrounds. Whether you’re an immigrant, refugee, or come from an Indigenous tradition, EMDR therapy offers a culturally sensitive approach to healing trauma. Its flexibility and adaptability ensure that all individuals, regardless of cultural or linguistic differences, can benefit from its transformative effects.
About Us
Why Mindful Path Counselling
We believe in treating you as a whole person.
At Mindful Path Counselling, we take a wholistic approach on your path to well-being.
Whether you need someone to talk to alone, with your partner, or with your family, we have a range of counselling services to fit your needs and budget. We provide in-person, online sessions, phone appointment and in-home services. Our diverse team includes skilled psychotherapists, social workers, life coaches, hypnotherapists, and more.
If you are struggling with general anxiety or a complex mental health challenge, we help people aged 5 and up find a welcoming and understanding place to land.
We’re more than just therapists, we’re a safe place to help you rediscover yourself.
Our approach
How EMDR Therapy Works
EMDR Therapy is structured into 8 distinct stages that guide the process of healing from trauma. Every person moves through the stages at a different pace, and we tailor the therapy to suit your individual needs and progress.
History & Treatment Planning
We gather information about your challenges and identify the specific memories that will be addressed in therapy.
Preparation
We explain the EMDR process to you while introducing relaxation techniques to help you manage any difficult emotions that could arise during treatment.
Assessment
Next, we activate the memory that we will be working on for the processing section.
Desensitization
During this core phase of the process, we have you recall specific memories while using bilateral stimulation and other techniques to reduce the emotional charge of the memory.
Installation
This phase is focused on reinforcing positive beliefs to replace the negative ones associated with the trauma. using similar techniques as the desensitization phase.
Body Scan
After installation, we will ask you to think about the targeted memory and notice any body tension or discomfort. If any remains, we repeat steps 4 and 5.
Closure
To end each session, we use the relaxation and grounding techniques learned during the preparation phase to help you return to a state of calm.
Re-evaluation
This phase reviews progress and ensures that previous positive outcomes are maintained at the start of subsequent sessions. Any remaining issues are addressed in future sessions.
Our Team
Therapists Who Offer EMDR Therapy
Get Matched
We believe the right therapist is crucial to the therapeutic process. Browse our team profiles or request to get matched. We’ll help you find the best therapist for your needs, goals, and preferences.
Questions About EMDR Therapy
How many sessions does EMDR take?
Typically, EMDR therapy involves 6 to 12 sessions, but this can vary depending on your specific needs and how complex your situation is. Your therapist will work with you to determine the best approach and adjust the number of sessions as needed to ensure you get the most out of therapy. Everyone’s journey is unique, so the number of sessions may vary from person to person.
Can I access EMDR virtually or does it have to be done in person?
You can access EMDR therapy either virtually or in person, and both approaches have been shown to be successful according to research. Whether you choose to attend sessions online or in a physical location, you can still benefit from the healing effects of EMDR therapy. Your therapist will work with you to ensure your chosen format meets your needs and preferences.
What will I experience during an EMDR session?
Before any EMDR treatment, there is a preparation & assessment phase. The purpose of the preparation phase is to help you feel safe within yourself and to explain and demonstrate EMDR techniques so you know what to expect. The purpose of the assessment phase is to isolate memories to work with in EMDR that are the root of your emotional/physical pain today. The length of time for each of these phases varies per person dependent upon their individual needs.
Once the preparation and assessment phases are complete, the treatment phase begins. You will be asked to focus on a “target” image (one selected together during the assessment phase) while following the practitioner’s fingers, or a light bar, with your eyes, or completing bilateral tapping. Once you start the eye movement/tapping, you will find it very difficult to focus on the memory. This is normal. The initial focusing on the memory opens the door to the memory, the EMDR completes the processing on a deeper subconscious level.
The eye movements/tapping are done in short sets (15-30 seconds) with breaks in between of varying lengths dependent upon your needs. The sets continue until processing is complete for a given memory. You can stop the process at any time by raising your hand. It is important to remember that your brain is doing the processing and that you are the one in control.
EMDR is a passive process. Just will be asked to just let whatever happens, happen. You may experience feelings, thoughts, and body sensations. You may experience nothing. Whatever your experience, you will be asked to notice it as if you were passing by it on a train rather than being within the experience. If at any time you feel overwhelmed, you only need to raise your hand to stop the process. You will be asked to share what comes up in the break between sets. There are no right or wrong answers. This information will only guide future sets. Your feelings surrounding a given event will be rated by you (from 1-10) both prior to and after EMDR treatment. The aim of every EMDR session is a noticeable improvement by the time you leave the session.
How effective is EMDR?
When compared to other methods of therapy (psychoanalysis, cognitive, behavioural, etc), EMDR has been rated as far more effective by mental health professionals. Clients experience emotional healing at an accelerated rate. If we use the metaphor of driving a car through a tunnel to get to the other side (where the tunnel represents the journey of healing and the other side of the tunnel represents the healed state), EMDR is like driving your car through the tunnel at very high speeds. Because of this accelerated processing, you should notice improvement within each session.
How long does each session last?
Each EMDR therapy session typically lasts between 60 to 90 minutes. During this time, you’ll have the opportunity to work with your therapist to process and address the traumatic memories or issues you’re facing. Your therapist will ensure that each session is tailored to your needs and progresses at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
Still have questions?
Get in touch! Contact Us
Mindful Path Counselling
The Difference EMDR Therapy Can Make
Every person is unique, and every healing journey is different. EMDR Therapy can be completed in as little as one session for those presenting with one challenge. More complex trauma can take multiple sessions. As you move through the stages you may notice that you:
- Develop better communication skills
- View past events through a different lens
- Can establish healthy boundaries in relationships
- React differently to situations.
- Have more focus and a better memory for daily tasks
Mindful Path Counselling
How You Get Started
If you’re ready to get started, we’d love to hear from you! You can send us a message or call us. We will answer any questions you have and book you in for an appointment or free consultation.
You can also book online using the button below. Please note that not all of our therapists can be booked online.
Call Us
226-208-2722
Email Us
info@mindfulpathcounselling.ca
If you have questions about therapy, our services, or anything else, send us a message! We’d love to hear from you.
