1. History Taking
We begin by exploring your current concerns, personal history, significant life experiences, and treatment goals. Together, we identify memories, situations, or themes that may be contributing to your difficulties and develop a treatment plan.
2. Preparation
Before processing difficult experiences, we focus on building resources and coping skills to help you feel safe and supported throughout therapy. This phase may include learning grounding techniques, emotional regulation strategies, and ways to manage distress between sessions.
3. Assessment
We identify a specific memory or experience to work on and explore the thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and beliefs connected to it. This helps establish a clear starting point for processing.
4. Desensitisation
Using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or alternating auditory tones, we begin processing the targeted memory. The goal is to reduce the emotional intensity associated with the experience and allow the brain to process information in a more adaptive way. This may take numerous sessions.
5. Installation
As distress decreases, we strengthen a more helpful and adaptive belief about yourself. For example, a belief such as "I am powerless" may be replaced with "I am capable" or "I am safe now."
6. Body Scan
Trauma is often stored not only in our memories but also within the body. During this phase, we check for any remaining physical tension, discomfort, or emotional distress associated with the memory and process anything that remains.
7. Closure
Each session concludes with strategies to help you feel grounded and emotionally regulated before returning to your daily activities. Whether processing is complete or ongoing, your wellbeing and stability are prioritised.
8. Reevaluation
At the beginning of subsequent sessions, we review progress, assess whether treatment gains have been maintained, and determine the next steps in your EMDR journey.
- Anxiety & Panic Disorders
- Depression
- Perinatal trauma
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Eating disorders
- Trauma & Complex Trauma (PTSD)
- Grief and loss
- Attachment-related disorders
- Low self-worth & negative self-beliefs
- Mild intellectual disability support
EMDR is best known for its effectiveness in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but research has demonstrated its benefits across a range of presenting concerns, including:
The 8-Phase EMDR Process
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy developed by Dr Francine Shapiro. It helps the brain process and heal from distressing experiences that may continue to affect your thoughts, emotions, behaviours, relationships, and physical wellbeing.
When traumatic or overwhelming experiences occur, the brain's natural processing system can become disrupted. Memories may become "stuck," triggering distress long after the event has passed. EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories so they become less emotionally charged and no longer have the same impact on your day-to-day life.
Dr Emma-Leigh Senyard is an accredited EMDR practitioner and provides EMDR therapy for adolescents and adults via secure telehealth appointments.
What Does EMDR Feel Like?
Every person's experience is unique. During processing, you may notice thoughts, emotions, memories, physical sensations, or insights emerging naturally. Many clients describe feeling as though the memory becomes more distant, less distressing, or no longer carries the same emotional weight it once did.
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EMDR does not involve hypnosis, and you remain fully aware, present, and in control throughout the entire process.
EMDR
EMDR Therapy: Healing from the inside out.
Medicare Rebates
If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician, you may be eligible to receive Medicare rebates for up to 10 psychology sessions per calendar year. Telehealth EMDR appointments are eligible for Medicare rebates in the same way as face-to-face consultations when the relevant referral requirements are met.
If past experiences continue to affect your present life, EMDR may help you process those experiences, reduce emotional distress, and move towards lasting healing and recovery.
Online EMDR Therapy
Dr Emma-Leigh Senyard offers EMDR therapy via secure telehealth appointments. Research has found that online EMDR can be just as effective as face-to-face treatment, with no significant differences in outcomes for many clients. Telehealth allows you to access evidence-based treatment from the comfort, privacy, and convenience of your own home while still receiving the same structured EMDR approach.
What is EMDR?
Intensive EMDR Therapy
While EMDR can be delivered weekly, research suggests that more intensive treatment schedules can be highly effective for many clients. Depending on your circumstances, goals, and availability, EMDR sessions may be scheduled more frequently, including twice per week. This approach can help maintain momentum, reduce overall treatment duration, and support more rapid progress for some individuals.
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The most appropriate treatment schedule will be discussed collaboratively and tailored to your needs.
Every person's experience is unique. During processing, you may notice thoughts, emotions, memories, physical sensations, or insights emerging naturally. Many clients describe feeling as though the memory becomes more distant, less distressing, or no longer carries the same emotional weight it once did.
EMDR does not involve hypnosis, and you remain fully aware, present, and in control throughout the entire process.