Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy for trauma and PTSD — helping your brain process distressing memories so they no longer hold you back.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy developed by Dr Francine Shapiro in the 1980s. It is endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is one of the most well-researched treatments for trauma and PTSD available today.
Unlike traditional talk therapies, EMDR does not require you to discuss your traumatic experiences in detail. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation — typically guided eye movements — while you briefly focus on a distressing memory. This process helps the brain reprocess the memory so it loses its emotional charge.
The result: memories that once triggered intense distress become more neutral, allowing you to recall them without being overwhelmed. EMDR is not just for trauma — it is increasingly used for anxiety, phobias, grief, and a range of other conditions.
EMDR has strong research evidence across a wide range of trauma-related and other psychological conditions:
EMDR follows a structured 8-phase protocol to ensure safe, effective trauma processing:
Your psychologist learns about your history and goals, explains how EMDR works, and teaches you stabilisation skills to help you feel safe and grounded before processing begins.
Together you identify a specific target memory to work on — including the image, negative belief, emotions, and physical sensations associated with it.
The core of EMDR. While focusing on the target memory, you follow your psychologist’s bilateral stimulation (eye movements or tapping). The brain naturally processes the memory, reducing its distress.
Each session ends with stabilisation techniques to ensure you leave feeling grounded and settled — whether or not processing is complete.
At the start of each new session, your psychologist checks in on previous work and ensures changes are holding before continuing to the next target.
EMDR therapy at The Talk Shop is accessible through a range of funding options:
Medicare Rebates
With a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP, access Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year.
Private Health & Self-Funded
Private health extras may apply. Self-funded appointments welcome. View fee schedule
Available in-clinic and via Telehealth. Find your nearest location:
Yes — EMDR is a well-researched, WHO-endorsed therapy. It is delivered by trained psychologists who ensure you are prepared and supported throughout the process. Stabilisation work always comes before trauma processing begins.
No. One of the key benefits of EMDR is that you do not need to describe your traumatic experiences in detail. You focus briefly on the memory while your psychologist guides the bilateral stimulation — the processing happens without extensive verbal recounting.
This varies depending on the nature and complexity of the trauma. Single-incident trauma (e.g. an accident) may resolve in 3–6 sessions. Complex or childhood trauma typically requires more sessions.
Yes — EMDR can be adapted effectively for online delivery using screen-based bilateral stimulation. Our psychologists are experienced in providing Telehealth EMDR.
No. While EMDR was developed for PTSD, it is now used for anxiety, phobias, grief, depression, performance anxiety, and any condition with distressing memories at its root.
EMDR is often used alongside other trauma-informed and evidence-based therapies:
Our EMDR-trained psychologists are here to help. Sessions available in-clinic across Melbourne and via Telehealth.
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