EMDR Therapy in Darwin
Evidence-based trauma therapy for adults experiencing PTSD, trauma and distressing past experiences.
EMDR Therapy for Trauma and PTSD in Darwin
Traumatic experiences can continue to affect you long after the event itself has passed.
You might experience intrusive memories, nightmares, anxiety or hypervigilance. You may avoid situations that remind you of what happened, find it difficult to trust or feel safe, or notice that certain situations trigger an emotional or physical reaction that feels much bigger than what is happening in the present.
For some people, there is one identifiable traumatic event. For others, the impact comes from repeated or prolonged experiences over many years.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychological treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It uses a structured process to help you work with distressing memories so they become less emotionally intense and have less influence over how you feel and respond in the present.
I offer EMDR as part of an individual treatment plan, rather than assuming it is the right approach for everyone who has experienced trauma.
How Does EMDR Work?
When something traumatic happens, memories of the experience can continue to trigger strong emotional, physical and psychological responses long after the danger has passed.
During EMDR, you briefly bring aspects of a distressing memory to mind while engaging in bilateral stimulation. This commonly involves moving your eyes from side to side, although other forms of bilateral stimulation can also be used.
Over the course of processing, the memory itself is not erased and you do not forget what happened. Instead, the aim is for the memory to become less distressing and for the thoughts, emotions and physical reactions associated with it to change.
People often describe knowing that something happened without feeling as though they are being pulled back into the experience each time they remember it.
During EMDR, you briefly bring aspects of a distressing memory to mind while engaging in bilateral stimulation. This commonly involves moving your eyes from side to side, although other forms of bilateral stimulation can also be used.
Over the course of processing, the memory itself is not erased and you do not forget what happened. Instead, the aim is for the memory to become less distressing and for the thoughts, emotions and physical reactions associated with it to change.
People often describe knowing that something happened without feeling as though they are being pulled back into the experience each time they remember it.
You Don’t Have to Tell Me Every Detail
One aspect of EMDR that some people appreciate is that you do not necessarily need to describe every detail of a traumatic experience aloud.
I need enough information to understand what you are experiencing and to make sure we are approaching treatment safely, but EMDR processing does not require a detailed verbal account of everything that happened.
For people who find repeatedly talking through traumatic experiences difficult or overwhelming, this can make EMDR particularly appealing.
I need enough information to understand what you are experiencing and to make sure we are approaching treatment safely, but EMDR processing does not require a detailed verbal account of everything that happened.
For people who find repeatedly talking through traumatic experiences difficult or overwhelming, this can make EMDR particularly appealing.
Preparation Comes Before Processing
EMDR is more than simply beginning eye movements and revisiting traumatic memories.
Before trauma processing begins, we spend time understanding your history, current circumstances, symptoms and goals. We also consider how you respond when distressed and whether you can remain sufficiently grounded while working with difficult material.
Depending on your circumstances, preparation may involve developing strategies for managing distress, recognising when you are becoming overwhelmed, strengthening existing resources and practising ways of returning your attention to the present.
There is no benefit in rushing into trauma processing before you are ready. The pace of treatment is tailored to you.
Before trauma processing begins, we spend time understanding your history, current circumstances, symptoms and goals. We also consider how you respond when distressed and whether you can remain sufficiently grounded while working with difficult material.
Depending on your circumstances, preparation may involve developing strategies for managing distress, recognising when you are becoming overwhelmed, strengthening existing resources and practising ways of returning your attention to the present.
There is no benefit in rushing into trauma processing before you are ready. The pace of treatment is tailored to you.
EMDR Follows a Structured Process
EMDR is an eight-phase therapy that includes history taking and treatment planning, preparation, assessment, trauma processing, installation, body scan, closure and re-evaluation.
This structure allows us to prepare carefully, monitor how you are responding and review the work as treatment progresses.
EMDR sessions are available in person at my Nightcliff practice. Telehealth EMDR may also be appropriate for some clients.
This structure allows us to prepare carefully, monitor how you are responding and review the work as treatment progresses.
EMDR sessions are available in person at my Nightcliff practice. Telehealth EMDR may also be appropriate for some clients.
What Can EMDR Be Used For?
EMDR has a strong evidence base for the treatment of PTSD and trauma-related symptoms.
I may consider EMDR when working with adults experiencing:
I may consider EMDR when working with adults experiencing:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- traumatic or distressing memories
- childhood or repeated traumatic experiences
- trauma following assault, accidents or medical experiences
- intrusive memories, nightmares or flashbacks
- strong emotional or physical reactions to reminders of past experiences
- negative beliefs about yourself that are closely connected with traumatic experiences.
People sometimes seek EMDR for other difficulties, including anxiety, panic, grief and relationship patterns associated with earlier experiences. Whether EMDR is appropriate depends on what is contributing to the difficulty, rather than simply the diagnostic label.
We will discuss this as part of your assessment and treatment planning.
We will discuss this as part of your assessment and treatment planning.
EMDR as Part of Your Therapy
EMDR does not need to be used as a stand-alone treatment.
Depending on what you are experiencing and what you want from therapy, I may integrate EMDR with other evidence-based psychological approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based strategies.
For some people, EMDR becomes a significant part of therapy. For others, it is one component of broader psychological treatment.
The approach we use is based on your individual circumstances rather than following the same treatment plan for everyone.
Depending on what you are experiencing and what you want from therapy, I may integrate EMDR with other evidence-based psychological approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based strategies.
For some people, EMDR becomes a significant part of therapy. For others, it is one component of broader psychological treatment.
The approach we use is based on your individual circumstances rather than following the same treatment plan for everyone.
EMDR Training
I completed my EMDR training through Therapist Training with Graham Taylor, an experienced EMDR trainer who was involved in the early development of EMDR training in Australia.
My broader clinical training and experience allows me to integrate EMDR within psychological assessment, formulation and evidence-based treatment rather than treating EMDR as a technique in isolation.
My broader clinical training and experience allows me to integrate EMDR within psychological assessment, formulation and evidence-based treatment rather than treating EMDR as a technique in isolation.
Getting Started With EMDR
You do not need to know whether EMDR is the right treatment for you before making an appointment.
We begin with an initial psychology appointment where we talk about what has brought you to therapy, relevant history, what you are currently experiencing and what you would like to change.
From there, we can consider whether EMDR is appropriate and develop a treatment plan that fits your circumstances.
Medicare rebates are available for eligible individual psychology appointments with a valid GP referral.
We begin with an initial psychology appointment where we talk about what has brought you to therapy, relevant history, what you are currently experiencing and what you would like to change.
From there, we can consider whether EMDR is appropriate and develop a treatment plan that fits your circumstances.
Medicare rebates are available for eligible individual psychology appointments with a valid GP referral.
Is EMDR Therapy Right for You
EMDR may be worth considering if you:
- have experienced trauma or a distressing life event
- experience intrusive memories, nightmares or flashbacks
- find yourself avoiding reminders of what happened
- continue to feel unsafe or on alert even when the danger has passed
- experience strong emotional or physical reactions connected with past experiences
- feel that you understand what happened intellectually but still react strongly to it
- have tried other forms of therapy but continue to feel affected by particular memories
- would prefer an approach that does not require you to describe every detail of your experience.
EMDR is not automatically the right treatment for everyone who has experienced trauma. We will consider whether it is appropriate for you as part of the assessment and preparation process.
Why Choose Breakthrough Psychology for EMDR Therapy?
Dr Kerri Thomas is a clinical psychologist with more than 15 years of experience working with adults experiencing a range of psychological difficulties.
EMDR treatment at Breakthrough Psychology is:
- grounded in psychological assessment and individual treatment planning
- paced according to your needs and readiness
- integrated with other evidence-based approaches where appropriate
- available in person in Nightcliff, Darwin
- available via telehealth where clinically appropriate.
Medicare rebates are available for eligible individual psychology appointments with a valid GP referral.
