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Image by Eric Ward

EMDR Therapy

Trauma        Distressing Memories         Anxiety

"Healing does not mean the trauma never existed. It means the trauma no longer controls your life"

What You Can Expect During EMDR:​​​​

Focus is given to: 

  • Past disturbing memories and related events,

  • Current situations that cause distress,

  • Developing the skills and attitudes needed for positive future actions. 
     

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Goals:

  • Preparation:

    • ​EMDR includes the therapist helping the client create or strengthen their ability to self-regulate their emotions. Often visualization exercises are used to provide internal tools used to help calm and contain emotions or disturbing imagery.
       

  • Targets:

    • Identifying a target to work on that is causing an individual negative emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms/experiences. 
       

  • Processing:

    • Targets are processed using bi-lateral stimulation, using eye movements, tactile hand pulsars, or audio stimulation (headphones).

What You Can Expect From Counselling:​​​​

  1. Reconnecting with the strengths, skills, and knowledge you have.

  2. Learn new skills, and examine different perspectives related to your situation.

  3. Gain a sense of clarity around your goals and how to achieve them.

  4. Increased awareness of contextual factors related to your problems.

  5. Experience a sense of relief from issues weighing you down. 

  6. Increased sense of identity, purpose, and direction.

*Integrative Counselling does not prescribe medication or provide diagnosis of individuals.

If a client is interested in diagnosis, they will be referred to another service*

What Is My First Appointment Like?

  1. Going over the Informed Consent document is always the first priority prior to engaging in a counselling relationship. This document details multiple aspects of the counselling experience, such as counselling values, benefits and risks, boundaries, and the limitations of confidentiality. Please take time to read through the document prior to your session. A portion of the first appointment will address the Informed Consent document to ensure there are no concerns or questions. 
     

  2. The first session will always be somewhat different depending on the individual and their needs. However, a first session typically includes information gathering by the counsellor such as your name, birth date, contact numbers, an address, etc.  
     

  3. Often a family tree (genogram) is created to provide information about your family structure and dynamics, and as you settle into the environment additional information sharing around a specific issue unfolds

    This is your time and your space.
     

  4. As the session concludes, depending on the content of the discussion and the issue/s presented, you may be invited to create a goal and participate in personal work until your next session. 

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