What Is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It is recognized by the World Health Organisation, the American Psychological Association, and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD.
EMDR works through the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. When a distressing event occurs, the brain sometimes stores the memory in an unprocessed form — complete with the original images, body sensations, emotions, and beliefs. These stuck memories continue to drive present-day symptoms long after the event is over. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — alternating eye movements, taps, or auditory tones — to activate the brain's natural processing system and allow those memories to integrate the way ordinary memories do: as past events, not present threats.
"The goal of EMDR is not to erase what happened. It is to let your nervous system finish processing it — so the past stops running the present."
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require you to describe the traumatic event in extensive detail or complete homework assignments between sessions. The processing happens internally, guided by bilateral stimulation, while the therapist holds a structured framework to keep the work safe and contained.
What EMDR Treats
While EMDR was originally developed for PTSD, two decades of clinical research have expanded its evidence base considerably. At Resilient Foundations, I use EMDR to work with:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — single-incident or complex
- Complex trauma and developmental trauma — chronic neglect, emotional abuse, unpredictable caregiving environments
- Anxiety without a PTSD diagnosis — generalized anxiety, panic disorder, performance anxiety, and anxiety rooted in earlier experiences that do not meet formal trauma criteria
- Intergenerational trauma — patterns of fear, shame, and hypervigilance passed through families, including immigration-related stress and cultural displacement
- Phobias — specific fears that are disproportionate to the actual danger and resistant to cognitive strategies alone
- Grief and loss — complicated grief, unresolved losses, and mourning that has become stuck
You do not need a formal diagnosis to benefit from EMDR. If your current symptoms are connected to earlier experiences — even ones that do not feel dramatic — EMDR may be an appropriate approach.
How Virtual EMDR Works
Research supports virtual EMDR as equally effective as in-person delivery. At Resilient Foundations, all EMDR sessions are conducted virtually through a secure, encrypted video platform — accessible from anywhere in Canada.
Bilateral stimulation is adapted for the online setting using visual cues that move across the screen (you follow them with your eyes) or auditory tones delivered through headphones. Many clients find virtual EMDR more comfortable because they can process from their own safe environment, which reduces the activation of having to travel to and from an office after intense processing work.
All you need is a private space, a stable internet connection, and headphones.
The 8-Phase EMDR Protocol
EMDR follows a structured eight-phase protocol that ensures safety, thoroughness, and appropriate pacing:
- History-taking — understanding your background, identifying target memories, and building a treatment plan
- Preparation — developing stabilization and self-regulation resources so your nervous system can handle processing without becoming overwhelmed
- Assessment — activating the target memory and identifying the image, negative belief, emotion, and body sensation associated with it
- Desensitization — bilateral stimulation while holding the target in mind, allowing the distress to decrease
- Installation — strengthening a positive, adaptive belief to replace the old one
- Body scan — checking for residual tension or activation stored in the body
- Closure — ensuring you leave the session stable and grounded
- Re-evaluation — reviewing progress at the next session and identifying what, if anything, still needs attention
Phases 1 and 2 are not preliminary steps to rush through. For clients with complex trauma, adequate preparation is what makes processing possible rather than re-traumatizing.
Pricing & Insurance
Individual EMDR sessions are $175 per 50-minute session. Sessions are billed under Registered Psychotherapist (RP) coverage.
Direct billing is available through GreenShield and Sun Life. For all other insurers, you receive a receipt to submit for reimbursement.
Discounted rates are available for those experiencing financial hardship — ask during your free consultation. Accessibility matters more than full fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EMDR therapy effective online?
Yes. Research supports virtual EMDR as equally effective as in-person delivery. Bilateral stimulation is adapted using visual cues on screen or auditory tones through headphones. Most clients find virtual sessions more comfortable because they can process from their own safe space.
Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to benefit from EMDR?
No. While EMDR was originally developed for PTSD, the clinical evidence supports its use for anxiety, phobias, grief, chronic shame, intergenerational trauma, and other presentations where distressing experiences are driving current symptoms — even when those experiences were not life-threatening.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
Single-incident trauma may resolve in 6–12 sessions. Complex or developmental trauma typically requires longer — often 15–25 sessions — because there are multiple memory networks to process. We assess progress together and adjust the pace based on what your nervous system needs.
Does insurance cover EMDR therapy at Resilient Foundations?
Sessions are billed under Registered Psychotherapist (RP) coverage. We offer direct billing through GreenShield and Sun Life. Most Canadian employer plans include psychotherapy benefits — check your plan for RP coverage and annual limits.
Ready to find out if EMDR is the right fit? I offer a free 15-minute virtual consultation — no forms, no commitment, just an honest conversation about what you are experiencing and whether EMDR could help.
