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EMDR Therapy 

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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a powerful, evidence-based treatment that helps people heal from past trauma, overwhelming experiences, and ongoing emotional distress. If you've been feeling stuck, triggered, or weighed down by past experiences or views about yourself that just won’t fade, EMDR might be the right therapy for you.

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You may have tried to “move on” or “get over it", or found that talk therapy isn't helping you, and that no matter what you do - you feel blocked by certain past events  which still cause distress, anxiety, or emotional shutdown. You’re not alone—and this is where EMDR can help.

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What Is EMDR Therapy?

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EMDR is a structured therapy that helps you process and rewire the emotional impact of traumatic or difficult life experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require you to talk in detail about the event itself. Instead, it focuses on how the experience is stored in the brain and helps you reprocess it so it no longer feels emotionally triggering or distressing.

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Using bilateral stimulation (such as side-to-side eye movements or tapping), EMDR helps your brain "digest" unprocessed memories and file them away appropriately. This reduces the emotional charge around those memories and helps you feel more grounded, present, and in control.

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Who Is EMDR Therapy For?

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EMDR can be helpful for people experiencing a wide range of challenges, including:

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  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Childhood trauma or attachment wounds

  • Sexual assault or abuse

  • Anxiety, including panic attacks

  • Phobias and fears

  • Performance anxiety

  • Grief and loss

  • Low self-esteem or negative self-beliefs

  • Medical trauma or chronic pain

  • Depression linked to past events

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Even if you don’t identify with the term "trauma," EMDR can still be incredibly effective for processing any past experience that continues to impact your present.

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What does a typical EMDR session look like?

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After establishing a foundation of trust and emotional safety with your EMDR therapist, you’ll work together to identify the memories and beliefs that are keeping you stuck. With guidance and support, you’ll then begin the reprocessing phase, using bilateral stimulation to help your brain release what it’s been holding on to—without needing to relive it. Many clients are surprised at how powerful and freeing the process can be.

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Benefits of EMDR Therapy

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Clients who have gone through EMDR therapy often report:

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  • Feeling less emotionally reactive or triggered

  • Reduced anxiety and emotional overwhelm

  • Increased sense of peace and clarity

  • Relief from physical symptoms (like tension or sleep difficulties)

  • Improved relationships and boundaries

  • A greater sense of confidence and inner calm
     

EMDR Therapy in Calgary & Vancouver

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If you're searching for EMDR therapy in Calgary or EMDR therapy in Vancouver, we offer trauma-informed, client-centered care to help you heal at your own pace.

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Our therapists are trained in EMDR and experienced in helping clients work through painful memories and emotional blocks. Whether you're dealing with a single traumatic event or complex, long-standing patterns, we’ll create a safe and supportive environment to support your healing journey.

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We offer therapy in Calgary and Vancouver and virtual EMDR therapy for clients across Alberta and British Columbia. ​ 

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If you’re interested in learning more about how EMDR therapy can help you move forward, we invite you to book a free consultation. Whether you’re looking for a psychologist in Calgary, a trauma therapist in Vancouver, or simply want to explore your options, we’re here to support you.

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EMDR therapy can be life-changing—and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

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If you'd like to read more about EMDR, there are some resources linked below. :

If any of these above struggles sound familiar to you, you might be a good candidate for EMDR. 
 

Reach out today to schedule a free complimentary consultation to learn more about working with an EMDR therapist in Calgary, or an EMDR therapist in Vancouver, and how they can support you in addressing your blocks, so that you can get back to living the life that you want. 

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By working with a licensed EMDR therapist, you can engage in a treatment plan tailored to your unique experiences and needs. 

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EMDR Therapy in Calgary & Vancouver

Read more about EMDR here:  

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​​EMDR Resources:

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What is EMDR & How It Works: 

  1. Shapiro, F. (1989). Eye Movement Desensitization: A New Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 20(3), 211–217.

    • This is the foundational study by Francine Shapiro, the creator of EMDR.

  2. EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
    https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/

    • Provides a detailed explanation of EMDR, its phases, and its evidence-based foundation.

  3. American Psychological Association (APA)
    https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/emdr

    • Recognizes EMDR as an effective treatment for PTSD and trauma-related conditions.
       

 Effectiveness of EMDR for Trauma, Anxiety, & Other Conditions: 

  1. World Health Organization (2013)

  2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (UK)
    https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng116

    • Recommends EMDR for PTSD in adults and children.

  3. Chen, Y. R., Hung, K. W., Tsai, J. C., Chu, H., Chung, M. H., Chen, S. R., & Chou, K. R. (2014)
    Efficacy of Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for Patients with Posttraumatic-Stress Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
    PLoS ONE, 9(8): e103676.
    https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0103676

    • A meta-analysis confirming the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in reducing PTSD symptoms.
       

Conditions Treated by EMDR Beyond PTSD: 

  1. Maxfield, L., & Hyer, L. (2002)
    The Relationship Between Efficacy and Methodology in Studies Investigating EMDR Treatment of PTSD.
    Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(1), 23–41.

    • Discusses EMDR’s effectiveness in various trauma-related disorders.

  2. van den Berg, D. P. G., & van der Gaag, M. (2012)
    Treating trauma in psychosis with EMDR: A pilot study.
    Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 43(1), 664–671.

    • Demonstrates EMDR’s application for comorbid trauma in complex diagnoses like psychosis.

  3. Valiente-Gómez, A., Moreno-Alcázar, A., Treen, D., Cedrón, C., Colom, F., Pérez, V., & Amann, B. L. (2017)
    EMDR beyond PTSD: A systematic literature review.
    Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1668.
    https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01668

    • Reviews the effectiveness of EMDR in anxiety disorders, depression, grief, and more.
       

Client Experiences and Common Outcomes

  1. EMDR Institute, Inc. – https://www.emdr.com/

    • Includes detailed descriptions of outcomes and case studies.

  2. National Center for PTSD (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
    https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand_tx/emdr.asp

    • Lists EMDR as a gold standard treatment for PTSD and explains expected outcomes.

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