EMDR Therapy and Other Evidence-Based Counselling Approaches 

The Cause of Our Struggles and Pain

As humans, I believe that we are inherently good. Those of us who seek therapy do so because we’ve been hurt in some way or experienced one or more traumatic events. While there are many types of distressing and traumatic experiences that cause problems, damaging childhood events affect us most.

However, our problems can also stem from events that happen later in life. For example, a car accident, a physical or sexual assault, a death in the family, chronic illness, or the ending of a relationship. These can all be the source of long-term struggles.

When you become stuck in chronic relationship problems, depression, or anxiety and are unable to get relief, therapy can help when you don’t know where else to turn.

How Therapy Helps

Everyone has the potential to heal and to have a fulfilling life. We have an innate drive to love and be loved. Both individual and couples therapy can help heal the pain of what happened to you and reconnect you to your feelings of love for yourself and others.

The first step on the path to healing is wanting to change.

For therapy to be beneficial, you must be motivated and committed to doing what it takes to heal.

Sometimes the path to healing can be bumpy, so you need to stay the course to reap the benefits of therapy.

You must also attend counselling sessions regularly and practice the research-based techniques that I will show you.

Results in therapy are achieved through:

• My knowledge, skills, compassion, and thorough understanding of your problems. This helps me choose the most beneficial approaches to support your healing.
• Your commitment to the counselling process and willingness to follow through with what you need to do in order to improve your life.

My Role as a Therapist

My role as a therapist is to approach each client with empathy and curiosity. This helps me understand the uniqueness of your experiences and helps ensure that you feel validated. This enables you to go deeper within yourself, where real change can occur.

My goal is to establish an honest, trusting and collaborative relationship with you. I consider you to be the expert regarding your problems and needs.

I will use EMDR and other research-based therapeutic approaches (see below) to address your specific difficulties. I will continuously ensure the approaches we use are effective for you.

If, for any reason, the interventions are not working as well as they should, I will modify them to ensure you experience the most beneficial outcome.

The Therapy Process

First Session:

My approach to counselling is pragmatic and results-oriented from the very first session. I aim to help you feel hopeful and know you’re moving toward a more satisfying life.

In individual therapy, whether it’s depression, anxiety, a relationship problem, trauma, or PTSD you want help with, we begin by talking about your current situation, your problems and their history, as well as your goals. I will start with a comprehensive assessment to determine the best path for our therapy sessions and how to best help you.

By the end of the first session, we will have established a beginning treatment plan together that we can proceed with during subsequent counselling sessions. I may also give you homework, which may involve practicing a particular therapeutic technique.

Subsequent Sessions:

In the second session, I will continue to gather information from you, some of which will be based on the homework you have completed. Then we will develop a therapeutic plan with goals and plan gradual steps to reach them.

As our work evolves, you will develop new skills for diminishing or resolving your distress, which you will integrate into your new way of being in the world.

You will be encouraged to monitor your progress as we move ahead in therapy. Over time, you will experience a gradual reduction in symptoms and an increase in your sense of empowerment and enjoyment in your life.

Treatment Approaches

While EMDR therapy is my primary approach, I am also trained in and use other approaches as each client’s situation is unique.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy technique used in conjunction with talk therapy. It is based on the latest research on the brain and how it deals with difficult and traumatic life experiences.

It is a well-researched technique that is proven to help people suffering from any type of stress or trauma. After EMDR counselling, clients often experience a reduction in stressful or traumatic memories and associated feelings.

EMDR is a brain/body based therapy that effectively processes and releases traumatic memories. This intervention involves targeting the specific traumatic event, holding an image of the incident in mind, re-experiencing the emotions of that time, and noticing where those emotions show up in the body as physical sensations. Bilateral stimulation is applied in intervals.

Through this process, the image fades, disturbing emotions disappear, and the physical discomfort leaves the body. The memory becomes like a picture on a wall, to which you no longer feel any emotional response. When blockages to processing arise, strategies to overcome them are incorporated into therapy. At times, the memories are overwhelming and may re-traumatize the individual. In these situations, we begin a more gradual therapeutic process.

EMDR is a well-researched tool used to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Find out more about the benefits of EMDR.

As your therapist, I utilize evidence-based methods of therapy like EMDR and customize them to fit your unique situation. I am a certified EMDR therapist based in Winnipeg.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

CBT techniques involve focusing on the “here and now” to help you change your thinking, behaviour, and emotions. CBT is one of the most common therapy methods, with a strong research base (i.e., E.B. Foa, D.D. Burns, A.T. Beck, K.S. Dobson, R.L. Leahy and A.J. Rush).

CBT has been shown to be extremely effective for panic attacks, health anxiety, generalized anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties.

As your therapist, I utilize proven methods of therapy like CBT and customize them to your unique situation.

Somatic Therapy and Polyvagal Theory

Somatic therapy focuses on the physical responses in your nervous system that result from a traumatic or distressing event. These responses in your body may include muscle tension, a racing heart, shallow breathing, or an upset stomach.

It helps you notice what’s happening in your body and gently release the stress held there.

Polyvagal theory explains how the nervous system shifts between feeling safe, mobilizing to fight or flee, and shutting down when a threat feels overwhelming. Understanding these states can help you make sense of reactions that may have felt confusing or out of your control. It can help you learn ways to return to a calmer, more settled state.

Havening

Havening is a gentle, touch-based technique where you use soothing strokes on your arms, hands, and face as you experience a traumatic memory. It’s designed to help reduce the emotional intensity attached to distressing memories. 

Breathwork

Breathwork uses specific breathing techniques to help calm your nervous system when you feel anxiety, panic, or other emotions due to distressing or traumatic events. It helps bring you back to the present when you feel overwhelmed. 

Mindfulness Meditation and Relaxation Training

Mindfulness teaches you to notice your thoughts, feelings, and body sensations without judging them or getting overwhelmed. Over time, this can lower stress and help you respond to difficult emotions with more steadiness. Relaxation provides ways to release physical tension and calm your body and mind.

Treatment Outcomes

The outcome of therapy can be a reduction or resolution of your distress and relationship problems. You can also gain the skills to manage and overcome future problems as they arise.

You can feel stronger, more confident, and better about yourself, your relationships, and your life.

If you want to achieve results like those above, please contact me for a free, 10-minute phone consultation.

We’ll briefly discuss your concerns and determine whether my therapeutic approach can meet your needs.

If we decide we’re a good fit, we can meet via videoconference.

I look forward to speaking with you.

*While I am based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, I provide online therapy worldwide via videoconference.