Mental health challenges, while difficult, can also present an opportunity for us to transform and restart our lives - Ai Kihara

EMDR Therapy

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps people process traumatic memories by combining bilateral stimulation (like eye movements, sounds, or taps) with recalling the distressing memory in a safe environment. This stimulation helps "unstick" the memory from the nervous system, allowing the brain to process it and integrate it into a more adaptive narrative. The goal is to reduce the memory's intense emotional and physical charge, so it no longer causes distress, allowing the individual to heal and move forward.  


EMDR has been found to be effective across many areas, including:

  • Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias

  • Chronic Illness and medical issues

  • Depression and bipolar disorders

  • Dissociative disorders

  • Eating disorders

  • Grief and loss

  • Pain

  • Performance anxiety

  • Personality disorders

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma and stress related issues

  • Sexual assault

  • Sleep disturbance

  • Substance abuse and addiction

  • Violence and abuse


How EMDR Works

  1. Accessing the Memory: A therapist guides you to recall a disturbing event, accessing the associated images, negative beliefs, and physical sensations.

  2. Bilateral Stimulation: While you hold this memory in mind, the therapist uses bilateral stimulation—such as having you follow a moving finger, listening to alternating sounds, or feeling alternating taps.

  3. Brain Processing: This stimulation helps both sides of the brain communicate and synchronize, which can slow down an over-stimulated brain and help it process the memory more like an ordinary event.

  4. Reprocessing and Integration: The brain then begins to link the memory with more adaptive thoughts and feelings, reducing its negative charge.

  5. Resolving the Trauma: Over time, the memory is reprocessed and stored more appropriately, allowing the individual to remember the event without the overwhelming emotions and reactions that characterize traum

Videos

Please watch these videos for your information

Healing Trauma

This video, produced by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), features clients talk in their own words about their personal experiences of EMDR therapy.

EMDR Therapy to Children

This video has been created to explain EMDR therapy to children. It may help children understand what happens in EMDR therapy

General Information

This video is information for clients

Animation to explain EMDR Therapy and Trauma to Adults

This animated clip is useful to explain a little about EMDR Therapy. It is useful if you are thinking if EMDR therapy is suitable for you. It is also helpful for therapists who may want to share it with their clients.

Private EMDR therapy

This is a private service for you. It costs $150 (plus GST) per session. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us if you are interested in EMDR.

Ai can provide both in-person and online EMDR.

Group EMDR therapy

Ai (Director) will be able to organise a group EMDR session if you prefer to join the online or in-person EMDR session. Please contact Ai through contact us.

ACC EMDR therapy

Ai has not taken a new ACC client at this moment.