Life can leave us carrying invisible weight.

  • Maybe it’s a painful memory that shows up out of nowhere
  • A constant sense of being on edge
  • A feeling like you’re “stuck” no matter how hard you try to move forward
  • Grappling with negative self esteem that you can’t shake no matter how much you succeed
  • For some, it looks like sleepless nights, panic in everyday situations,
  • A heaviness that lingers after loss.
  • Battling ongoing reminders of something that happened years ago, as if it’s still happening right now
  • And others just feel awful and can’t put their finger on it and have no idea where this is coming from.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. These are the very challenges that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy was designed to help with.

Originally developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR has now been used with millions of people worldwide and is recognized by leading health organizations, including:

What is EMDR Therapy?

When we go through something overwhelming, the brain sometimes doesn’t process it the way it should. Instead of being stored as a past event, the memory, along with all the fear, shame, or pain attached to it, can get “stuck.” Neurological research explains this towards pointing that traumatic high emotional fearful or painful events get stored in the amygdala and thalamus (certain brain areas). When a situation even somewhat similar to the past occurs today, this area gets triggered and we react in the same ways as from the past. That’s why you might still feel the same intense emotions in the present, even when you know the event is over. And that it’s hard to get a more balanced frontal lobe perspective on the situation.

EMDR helps the brain do what it couldn’t at the time — reprocess the memory so it feels truly behind you. Using gentle bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds), EMDR helps your mind connect that painful memory with a more balanced, calmer perspective.

The memory won’t disappear, but it loses its emotional intensity. Clients often describe it as, “I still remember it, but it doesn’t control me anymore.”

Through the process clients also link their past negative or painful beliefs networks towards more balanced, brain networks in our frontal lobes, where we are able to experience more reason and perspective.

What Can EMDR Help With?

While EMDR is best known for its effectiveness in treating PTSD, along the way in life we may have many other negative experiences of loss, betrayal, grief and challenge. We may have grown up in environments that were less than optimal, with family members or others around us who may not have been outwardly abusive, but were wrapped up in their own life dramas and challenges. In spite of having done a phenomenal job of getting through life’s challenges, we may have still experiences some residual negative “core belief” aspects of ourselves. Much research indicates that these types of losses can affect future development of common mental health conditions, which EMDR therapy helps with:

  • Anxiety and panic attacks
  • Depression and grief
  • Childhood trauma and attachment wounds
  • Phobias and fears
  • Performance anxiety
  • First responders, veterans, and frontline workers coping with stress and trauma
  • Disturbing memories from medical procedures, accidents, or bullying
  • Intrusive thoughts
  • Management of Pain

What to Expect in EMDR Therapy

If talking in detail about your trauma feels overwhelming, here’s some good news: you don’t need to retell everything for EMDR to work.
Here’s what the process usually looks like:

  • Your therapist gets to know your history and makes sure EMDR is the right fit for you.

    Starting EMDR can feel a little uncertain at first, so it helps to know what the process is like. In your early sessions, your therapist will take time to really get to know you, your story, and what feels most difficult right now. You’ll also learn simple calming tools you can use anytime, so you feel safe and supported throughout the journey.
  • You’ll learn grounding and coping skills first, so you feel safe and prepared.
  • Together, you’ll identify the memories, emotions, or beliefs that feel “stuck.”

    This is also a process that is done gradually at times, and in complete collaboration.
  • When you’re ready, EMDR gently helps you briefly hold on the beliefs or memories that still feel “stuck.

    You’ll use bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds) to help your brain reprocess these experiences in a healthier way. Over time, the memories lose their intensity, and you begin to feel more grounded, lighter, and in control. Beliefs shift and adjust to give rise to more balanced helpful belief systems.
  • Ongoing review through the process:

    Each phase of EMDR has a purpose: building trust and preparation, identifying the memories or beliefs to work on, reprocessing them with support, strengthening positive beliefs, releasing body tension, and making sure you leave each session feeling steady. As sessions continue, your therapist will check in on progress so you can clearly see the changes—like noticing triggers becoming less overwhelming and finding yourself feeling calmer in daily life.

EMDR therapy is a structured, evidence-based approach, but it also feels deeply human and compassionate. Many clients describe it as a powerful way of finally letting go of old pain and opening up space for healing, confidence, and peace.

Why Clients Choose EMDR

  • Fast-acting: Some clients feel relief in just a few sessions.
  • Doesn’t require retelling all the details: Focus is on emotions and beliefs, not reliving trauma.
  • Mind-body healing: Works with thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations together.
  • Lasting results: Many find symptoms significantly reduce or disappear, even long after treatment ends.

Things to Know Before Starting EMDR

There is not much that you need to gather in terms of information before starting EMDR. A well trained therapist will be able to explain everything, leave space for questions and guide you through the process. Ultimately you are always in control. Nothing should ever be done without your understanding of it. However these brief points below may be helpful to consider:

  • Always work with a licensed, EMDR- trained therapist. Ask about their training and experience. How many clients have they seen, have they used EMDR with the type of challenge you are dealing with.
  • EMDR is generally safe, but if you have certain health conditions (like heart or vision problems), tell your therapist, check with your doctor first. In very rare instances some clients feel less or more comfortable with certain bilateral stimulation strategies, may experience some headaches. It’s important to let you therapist know as they can always be adjusted to your comfort level.
  • Strong emotions can sometimes surface during or after sessions but your therapist will equip you with tools to manage them. You will be learning how to use grounding and resourcing strategies so you don’t feel lost in your experience, or overwhelmed.
  • EMDR is available both in-person and online, making it accessible across Ontario.

Finding the Right EMDR Therapist

In addition when choosing an EMDR therapist, you might wish to ask them these questions:

  • What training have you completed in EMDR?
  • Do you have experience working with people who have trauma similar to mine?
  • How do you make sure clients feel safe and supported during EMDR?
  • Do you use other therapy approaches alongside EMDR if needed?

Feeling better is possible

We know starting therapy can feel daunting. We are here to support you through all your concerns.

If you would like to know more or are interested in and wish to move forward in therapy, please feel free to contact us. We offer free 20min consults.

At Lakeland Therapy Centre, our EMDR therapists are highly experienced, compassionate, and committed to helping clients feel safe, supported, and empowered in their healing journey. We offer in-person sessions in Toronto’s Beaches community and secure virtual sessions across Ontario.

Feel free to reach out to us for any questions or book a free 20min consult with our compassionate therapist.