How is Schema Therapy Different
What EMDR Can Help With
EMDR is most widely known for treating PTSD, but research shows it is effective for many other challenges, including:
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Childhood trauma and neglect
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Domestic and family violence recovery
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Medical and birth trauma
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Grief and loss
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Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
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Depression and low self-worth
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Stress and burnout
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Faith-related trauma and spiritual abuse
How I Use EMDR in Therapy
My main therapeutic framework is Schema Therapy, which explores patterns, emotions, and relationships in depth. I also integrate CBT, ERP, and other trauma-informed approaches. We start with a comprehensive assessment to determine that this is the best therapeutic approach for you.
Within this broader framework, EMDR is a valuable adjunct. It is especially helpful when:
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Memories continue to feel vivid and intrusive
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Insight alone has not shifted the emotional intensity
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Trauma responses feel “stuck” in the body
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Clients want to reduce distress so that other therapy approaches can progress more smoothly
Not every EMDR session involves processing trauma. Some sessions focus on preparation, safety, and building coping skills. Others are used to integrate gains or address wider life patterns through Schema Therapy or CBT.
The Eight Phases of EMDR
When used in therapy, EMDR follows a structured eight-phase process:
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History Taking – Exploring your background and therapy goals
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Preparation – Building safety and coping strategies
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Assessment – Identifying the target memory, feelings, and beliefs
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Desensitisation – Processing with bilateral stimulation
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Installation – Strengthening new, adaptive beliefs
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Body Scan – Checking for any lingering distress
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Closure – Ending sessions with grounding
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Re-evaluation – Reviewing progress and next steps
Online EMDR Therapy
EMDR can be delivered effectively via telehealth. I use a secure program called Bilateral Stimulation, which provides visual and auditory prompts similar to in-person EMDR. All that is required is:
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A stable internet connection
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A computer or tablet
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Headphones (for audio quality)
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A private, comfortable space where you feel safe
This allows you to experience EMDR from anywhere in Australia.
What are the benefits of encorporating EMDR into therapy?
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EMDR is supported by extensive clinical research
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Recommended by the World Health Organization and Australian Psychological Society for the treatment of PTSD
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Effective in reducing trauma symptoms, without needing to fully recount the experience.
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EMDR integrates well with Schema Therapy and other forms of therapy.
FAQs
Is EMDR evidence-based?
Yes. EMDR is one of the most researched trauma therapies and is recommended by the World Health Organization, the Australian Psychological Society, and other international guidelines.
If I decide to do EMDR, will every session involve trauma processing?
No. EMDR therapy is paced carefully. Some sessions focus on preparation, stabilisation, or coping strategies, while others involve processing. The process is always tailored to your needs.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
This varies. Some people notice improvements in a few sessions, while others with complex trauma may require longer-term work.
Can EMDR be done online?
Yes. I use a secure Bilateral Stimulation program for online EMDR. With a computer or tablet, headphones, and a private space, clients can access EMDR from home with the same effectiveness as in-person sessions.
Will I have to share every detail of my trauma?
No. While you will think about aspects of distressing memories, you don’t always need to describe them in detail. This makes EMDR safer for clients who find it overwhelming to talk about trauma.
I’m a Christian or person of faith, and I feel a bit uncomfortable with the idea of subconcious processing. Is EMDR therapy compatible with my faith?
Firstly, if you feel unsure or uncomfortable about EMDR, please know there is never any pressure to use this approach. EMDR is not my primary modality, and there are many other effective therapies available for processing trauma.
Some people feel hesitant because they have heard EMDR compared to hypnosis or other methods that involve entering an altered state of consciousness, and some express concerns that this is not consistent with faith practices. It’s important to clarify that EMDR is not hypnosis. You remain fully awake, alert, and in control throughout the process.
How is EMDR different?
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You stay present – EMDR does not involve trance or altered states. Clients remain aware at all times and are provided with a signal they can use if they do not feel comfortable and want to stop.
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It’s structured and collaborative – The therapist guides the process, but you choose the pace and direction.
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It works with memory processing, not suggestion – Hypnosis can sometimes use suggestion to change thoughts or behaviours. EMDR helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they lose their intensity.
EMDR is simply one of the tools that can support recovery. For some people it is especially effective, while for others different approaches—such as Schema Therapy or CBT—are more suitable. Therapy is always tailored to your needs and preferences.
Is EMDR safe?
Yes. EMDR can bring up strong emotions, but it is always guided in a way that prioritises safety, stability, and support.
"What the mind cannot process, the body continues to carry. Trauma Therapy helps release what is stuck so you can move forward."
I offer EMDR Therapy Online in Australia
I am a trained EMDR therapist and offer Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) as part of a tailored, trauma-informed therapy approach. EMDR is not my only or primary modality, but it can be a powerful adjunct alongside Schema Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and other evidence-based methods. EMDR is especially helpful for processing distressing memories that feel “stuck” and continue to cause anxiety, panic, or emotional pain.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Instead of focusing solely on talking about the past, EMDR works with the way the brain processes and stores memories.
When trauma is overwhelming, the memory can remain “frozen,” leaving you vulnerable to flashbacks, nightmares, or strong emotional reactions. EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories so they are filed away as part of the past, rather than re-experienced in the present.
How Does EMDR Work?
Traumatic experiences are often stored with intense emotions, body sensations, and negative self-beliefs such as “I’m powerless” or “I’m unsafe.” EMDR helps reduce these responses by:
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Using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, sounds, or tapping) to engage both sides of the brain
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Guiding you to recall the memory in short, manageable steps
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Allowing the brain to connect the memory with new, adaptive information
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Calming the nervous system’s survival response and strengthening healthier beliefs
Over time, the memory remains, but it no longer feels overwhelming.
Frequently Asked Questions
