Online EMDR Therapy
Sometimes you understand that something is in the past, but your mind or body still reacts as though it is happening now.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a structured psychotherapy approach that can be used to work with distressing memories and experiences that continue to affect how you feel, think or respond in the present.
Navigate Wellness offers EMDR virtually to eligible clients in British Columbia and select provinces and territories.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. During EMDR, your counsellor guides you through a structured process while using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or alternating sensations.
The goal is to support the processing of memories or experiences that continue to feel distressing or emotionally charged.
What can EMDR be used for?
EMDR may be considered when past experiences continue to contribute to concerns such as:
trauma and PTSD symptoms
distressing or intrusive memories
anxiety connected to past experiences
certain fears or triggers
grief or difficult losses
negative beliefs about yourself connected to past experiences
feeling emotionally stuck around something that happened
EMDR is not necessarily the right approach for every person or every concern. Your counsellor can help determine whether it fits your needs and goals.
What happens during an EMDR session?
EMDR is more structured than traditional talk therapy. Before beginning memory-processing work, you and your counsellor spend time understanding what you are experiencing, identifying potential areas to work on and making sure you have strategies for staying grounded during the process.
When you begin EMDR processing, your counsellor guides you through short sets of bilateral stimulation while you notice thoughts, emotions, sensations or memories that arise.
You remain awake, aware and in control throughout the session.
Can EMDR therapy be done online?
Yes. Navigate Wellness offers EMDR as part of its virtual counselling services.
Your counsellor will talk with you about your environment, privacy, readiness and individual circumstances before deciding whether virtual EMDR is appropriate for you.
EMDR and trauma counselling
EMDR may be used as one part of a broader counselling approach rather than as a standalone solution.
Depending on what you’re navigating, your counselling may also involve exploring patterns, relationships, beliefs, emotions and ways of responding that have developed around past experiences.
Frequently asked questions about EMDR
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Not necessarily. EMDR does not require you to describe every detail of an experience aloud. Your counsellor can explain what information is needed and allow the work to move at a manageable pace.
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No. During EMDR you remain awake and aware of what is happening.
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No. EMDR is often associated with trauma and PTSD, but therapists may consider it for other concerns involving distressing experiences, memories or triggers.
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There is no single number that applies to everyone. The length of therapy depends on your history, goals, concerns and how you respond to the process.
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Yes. Navigate Wellness offers virtual EMDR when it is appropriate for the individual client.
Curious whether EMDR may be right for you?
You don't need to decide on a therapy approach before reaching out. A consultation gives you an opportunity to talk about what you're experiencing and whether EMDR may be worth exploring.