Trauma & EMDR Therapy
When Understanding Isn't Enough
Online EMDR therapy in Calgary and across Alberta & Ontario
You may understand what happened. You may even know why it still affects you.
But understanding something doesn't always change how it feels.
Certain situations may still bring up anxiety, intense emotions, memories, or body reactions. You may avoid reminders of what happened or find yourself responding in ways that are difficult to change, even when part of you knows you're safe now.
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy that can help process difficult experiences so they feel less emotionally overwhelming and less present in your life today.
Healing doesn't mean forgetting what happened. It means being able to remember the past without feeling as though you're still living in it.
What Is EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy that helps people process distressing memories and experiences that may still be influencing how they think, feel, and respond today.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn't require you to repeatedly describe a painful experience in detail.
During EMDR, you'll briefly bring aspects of an experience into awareness while engaging in bilateral stimulation (BLS)—gentle, alternating left-and-right stimulation using eye movements, sounds, or other methods.
As processing unfolds, thoughts, emotions, images, memories, or body sensations may begin to shift. You remain awake, aware, and in control throughout the process, and we can pause whenever you need.
EMDR was originally developed to help people recover from trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Today, extensive research shows that it can also be effective for many people whose past experiences continue to influence how they think, feel, and respond in everyday life.
EMDR May Be Helpful If You Are Experiencing
EMDR may be helpful if you are experiencing:
Trauma or PTSD
Anxiety and panic
Distressing life events
Childhood experiences that continue to affect you
Relationship wounds
Persistent feelings of fear, shame, or guilt
Low self-worth or negative beliefs about yourself
Overwhelming emotional reactions that seem difficult to explain
My Approach to EMDR
I take a warm, collaborative, and trauma-informed approach to EMDR.
Rather than following a one-size-fits-all process, I integrate EMDR with other evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, DBT-informed strategies, and trauma-informed care. This allows therapy to be tailored to your unique needs, goals, and readiness.
For many clients, EMDR is one part of a broader therapeutic journey—helping reduce the emotional intensity of difficult experiences while building healthier ways of coping, relating, and moving forward.
What To Expect
Every person's journey is different, and EMDR is never rushed.
We begin by getting to know you, understanding your concerns, and making sure you have practical coping strategies before any trauma processing begins.
When you're ready, we'll work together to process difficult memories at a pace that feels safe and manageable. Throughout the process, you'll remain in control, and we can pause whenever needed.
My goal is to create a space where you feel supported, respected, and never pushed beyond what feels right for you.
Is EMDR Right For Me?
These questions are simply for self-reflection. You don't need to submit your answers.
☐ I feel emotionally or physically triggered by certain memories, people, or situations.
☐ I understand what happened, but I still feel emotionally stuck.
☐ I avoid certain places, conversations, or situations because they bring up distressing feelings.
☐ My body often feels tense, anxious, or on edge, even when there isn't an immediate threat.
☐ I struggle with beliefs such as "I'm not good enough," "I'm not safe," or "I'm to blame."
☐ I react more strongly than I'd like in certain situations and don't fully understand why.
☐ I'd like to feel less controlled by my past and more present in my daily life.
If several of these feel familiar, EMDR may be something worth discussing. Whether it is appropriate depends on your experiences, current needs, readiness, and other factors we can explore together.
A Conversation Is a Good Place to Start…
You may know that something from the past is still affecting you without knowing what kind of therapy you need.
A free 20-minute consultation gives us a chance to talk briefly about what you're experiencing, answer your questions about EMDR, and consider whether EMDR—or another approach—may be appropriate for you.