EMDR Therapy

Heal the past without having to talk about it. A structured approach to silence the triggers that rule your present.

Nanaimo • Squamish • Online Counselling

Individual & Couples Counselling | Workshops & Intensives

Now Accepting New Clients

EMDR at a Glance

Best For:

PTSD, Complex Trauma, Phobias, Flashbacks, & Panic.

Key Benefit:

Addresses trauma by reprocessing memories without requiring you to talk about the details.

Session Length:

80 Minutes (varies by processing need).

Evidence Base:

Recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for PTSD treatment.

Location:

Nanaimo (In-Person) & Online (BC-wide)

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured trauma therapy developed by Francine Shapiro that uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain desensitize and reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer feel overwhelming.

When a traumatic event happens, memories often don’t consolidate properly. Even long after the event has passed, the feelings can be so intense that it can seem like it just happened yesterday. Trauma triggers can quickly produce intense anxiety, shame, or emotional flooding.

EMDR helps the brain “digest” these memories, moving them from the present into the past where they belong.

Is EMDR Right for You?

EMDR is especially helpful when insight alone hasn’t been enough to create relief. It is effective for people experiencing:

Trauma & PTSD: Flashbacks, nightmares, or feeling constantly triggered.
Childhood Wounds: Neglect, attachment issues, or complex family dynamics.
Anxiety & Panic: Chronic worry or physical symptoms of panic and anxiety..
Depression: Low mood linked to specific past experiences.
Addiction Patterns: Relapse cycles rooted in emotional pain or trauma.
Traumatic Reactions: Intense emotional responses that feel out of proportion to the situation.

How EMDR Works: Bilateral Stimulation

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (guided eye movements, tapping, or audio tones) to effectively desensitize and reprocess traumatic memories. While focusing on a specific memory, the bilateral stimulation keeps one foot in the present moment while your brain processes the past.

The Key Difference: Less talking. Unlike traditional talk therapy, you don’t need to talk through every aspect of the traumatic memory for EMDR to be effective. In fact, it’s important to stay with your emotions and body sensations rather than cognitively tell your story for EMDR to be effective. We need to know the theme of the trauma to do proper memory targeting and assessment, but you do not need to verbally describe every detail. This makes it a distinct and safe alternative for many clients.

Feature	Traditional Talk Therapy	EMDR Therapy
Processing	You talk through the traumatic event in detail.	You focus on the memory while using eye movements (bilateral stimulation).
Verbalization	High: You describe the story to process.	Low: You do not need to describe the details.
Mechanism	Insight and emotional processing.	Neurological reprocessing (memory reconsolidation).
Outcome	You understand why it happened.	The memory no longer triggers an intense physical/emotional reaction.

The EMDR Roadmap: How We Progress

We never dive into deep trauma work without preparation. We follow a highly structured approach:

Step 1: Preparation & Safety

We start by building resources, which are tools to help you feel calm, safe, and grounded in the present.

Step 2: Target Mapping

We identify the specific memories that are driving your current symptoms.

Step 3: Desensitization & Reprocessing

We use bilateral stimulation to process the target memory until the distress level drops.

Step 4: Installation

We strengthen comfortable body sensations and positive beliefs about yourself (eg. shifting from “I am unsafe” to “I survived and I am okay now”).

Step 5: Re-evaluation

We check in regularly to ensure the changes are sticking in your daily life .

Meet Our EMDR Clinicians

Ryan Slobodian

FOUNDER / THERAPIST

Nick Abraham

ADDICTION & TRAUMA THERAPIST

FAQs: EMDR

Is EMDR intense?

EMDR is typically an emotional experience, but it is always done in a structured, contained way. Because your brain is doing deep work, you might feel some emotional tenderness or fatigue after a session. We always reserve time at the end of the appointment to ensure you leave feeling grounded.

Can we do EMDR online?

Yes. We use secure software that allows for effective bilateral stimulation via video call. It is just as effective as in-person therapy, provided you have the proper screen set up.

Do I have to tell you all the details?

No. This is one of the biggest advantages of EMDR. While we need to know the theme of the trauma to target it, you do not need to verbally describe every detail for the processing to work. It’s actually the opposite. The more you can stay out of your head and stay with your body and emotions, the more effective EMDR is.

Is EMDR just for military veterans and first responders?

No. While EMDR was originally known for treating combat PTSD, it is now widely used for Little T traumas such as bullying, divorce, childhood neglect, or emotional abuse, as well as anxiety and depression .

Ready to Leave the Past in the Past?

If past experiences still feel emotionally reactive, EMDR may help create lasting relief.

Stone Reef Psychotherapy offers in-person EMDR sessions in Nanaimo and online options for clients across Canada.

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