EMDR Therapy Adelaide: Helping Clients Heal from the Past and Move Forward with Confidence

Comprehensive EMDR Therapy for Trauma, Anxiety & Self-Worth

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Difficult experiences—whether from childhood, relationships, or a single distressing event—can leave lasting imprints.

Many people find themselves stuck in patterns of self-doubt, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm. At Warming Light Counselling, EMDR therapy is used to help you move beyond these patterns.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a structured, eight phased evidence-based approach.

EMDR Therapy works by targeting the memories, body sensations, and limiting beliefs that cause distress in your life. Whether rooted in the past or future worries, these triggers hold power over how you feel about yourself.

EMDR can help you break free from negative self-beliefs and shift towards a more positive, empowering perspective. It helps change how you feel about yourself, allowing you to experience more joy and freedom in your life.

How EMDR Therapy Works:

  • Preparation

    We start by understanding your history, building coping strategies, and ensuring you feel safe and ready for processing.

  • Identifying Targets

    Together, we identify key memories, beliefs, and body sensations linked to distress that EMDR will help process.

  • Reprocessing & Integration

    Using bilateral stimulation, your brain reprocesses distressing memories, reducing their emotional intensity and shifting beliefs.

  • Future-Focused Change

    We reinforce positive beliefs, check for lingering distress, and ensure you feel confident using your new sense of relief in daily life.

EMDR therapy can help you resolve issues quickly and in a contained way.

Most of the time, your brain naturally processes daily experiences—usually while you sleep—filing them away as memories that belong to the past. But when something overwhelming happens, like a car accident or ongoing childhood neglect, your brain’s ability to process can become overloaded. Instead of being stored as a typical memory, distressing experiences can remain "stuck" and frozen, as if they’re still happening in the present.

These unprocessed memories are stored in the limbic system, the part of your brain responsible for emotions and survival responses. Because they aren’t fully processed, they can be easily triggered by situations that remind your brain of the original distress—even if you’re not consciously aware of the connection. This can lead to recurring feelings of anxiety, panic, anger, or sadness that seem to arise out of nowhere, making it harder to fully engage in the present.

EMDR therapy helps your brain reprocess and "file" these memories properly, so they are no longer stuck in an activated state. Using bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements, tapping, or sound—EMDR repeatedly activates both sides of the brain, helping to process distressing memories in a way that mimics the brain’s natural healing mechanisms. This creates new connections between memory networks, allowing distressing experiences to be recognized as part of the past rather than something ongoing.

Before EMDR, your nervous system may still react as if the trauma is happening now. After EMDR, those intense emotional responses fade, allowing you to move forward with greater ease and relief.

Why Choose EMDR Therapy?

  • A Science-Backed Approach

    EMDR therapy is extensively researched and recommended by global mental health organisations for treating trauma, anxiety, and emotional distress.

  • Not Just Coping- Healing

    Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR therapy works with your brain’s natural processing system to reduce emotional distress at its source, helping you truly move forward.

  • Works for Persistent and Single-Incident Trauma

    Whether you’re dealing with longstanding self-doubt, attachment wounds, or a recent distressing event, EMDR therapy can help you process and heal.

  • Future-Focused Change

    EMDR therapy isn’t just about the past—it also strengthens your sense of self-worth, confidence, and emotional resilience, helping you feel more in control of your future.

Take the Next Step in Your Healing Journey

EMDR therapy is a powerful, evidence-based approach that helps you process distressing experiences and shift unhelpful patterns. At Warming Light Counselling, we tailor EMDR to your needs, ensuring a safe and effective experience.

Contact Warming Light Counselling to learn more about how EMDR therapy can help process the past, strengthen self-worth, and create lasting change. Book a session today.

If you would like to ask any questions or would like to chat prior, then please send a message

Appointments are available on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

FAQS

  • EMDR Therapy is an evidence-based therapy supported by extensive research. It is endorsed by:

    • The World Health Organisation (WHO)

    • The American Psychological Association (APA)

    • The National Institute for Health Care and Excellence (NICE)

    • Phoenix Society of Australia

    These organisations recognise EMDR as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions. Studies show EMDR therapy can lead to significant distress reduction in fewer sessions compared to traditional talk therapy. It helps by facilitating adaptive information processing, reducing the emotional charge of traumatic memories, and promoting cognitive restructuring.

    The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has also determined that EMDR is a Level One evidence based treatment for PTSD, specific phobias and depression. This is the highest rating that can be given to a specific therapy approach. This recognition highlights its effectiveness not just for trauma but for broader mental health conditions as well. 

    Ready to experience the benefits of EMDR therapy in Adelaide? With proven results and strong evidence backing its effectiveness, take the first step towards healing by reaching out today through our Contact page.

  • Whilst originally designed to treat Trauma and PTSD , EMDR therapy has also been proven to be useful treatment for:

    • Anxiety

    • Fears and phobias

    • Complicatied grief and loss

    • Trauma and stress related issues

    • Abuse in childhood, adult life and generational trauma

    • Low self esteem and self worth

    • Imposter syndrome

    • Perfectionism.

      Here at Warming Light Counselling, we specialise in using EMDR therapy to treat trauma, grief, anxiety and low self esteem.

  • While most people find EMDR therapy helpful, some may experience temporary discomfort, such as emotional intensity or vivid dreams. At Warming Light counselling, we ensure a thorough preparation stage to help you safely process trauma. During sessions, you’ll be encouraged to note any thoughts or sensations that arise, and if significant distress is felt, you can contact Mel between sessions. These responses typically ease as your brain processes the material, and any distress is usually short-lived. 

  • Yes. EMDR Therapy has shown long-term effectiveness, with many clients experiencing lasting relief from trauma and distress. By targeting the root causes of emotional pain, EMDR therapy works to rewire neural pathways and strengthen adaptive memory networks, helping the brain process and store memories in a healthier way. This allows for more sustainable healing, reducing emotional charge and promoting cognitive restructuring. As memories are processed and integrated, the emotional distress attached to them significantly decreases, leading to lasting improvement in overall well-being.

    If you're seeking lasting relief from trauma, EMDR therapy in Adelaide could help. Reach out today to take the first step toward healing and lasting change.

  • Yes, EMDR therapy can be conducted online with the same effectiveness as in-person sessions. As long as you have a stable internet connection and a private, comfortable space, EMDR can be done remotely with full safety and support.

    During online sessions, bilateral stimulation is adapted to suit the virtual format. This can include using visual stimuli, such as moving objects or light on the screen, auditory cues like tapping sounds or alternating tones, or even tactile methods, such as following hand movements on your camera.

    These techniques allow us to replicate the same bilateral stimulation that is used in-person, supporting the brain's natural processing of trauma. Whether you're at home or in another private setting, we ensure that you feel comfortable and supported throughout the process.

    If you're ready to start EMDR therapy online and experience its healing benefits, contact Warming Light Counselling today for a consultation and take the first step toward lasting change.

  • The length of EMDR therapy depends on several factors, including the type of trauma, degree of social support, an individual’s ability to regulate and tolerate emotions, and their processing speed.

    The timeline varies from person to person. Some clients notice shifts in just a few sessions, while others need more time to feel ready for deeper processing. At Warming Light Counselling, we focus on thorough preparation and resourcing to ensure that when processing begins, clients often experience noticeable shifts and relief—even if full resolution takes more sessions. Many people report feeling lighter, more regulated, or seeing changes in their emotions and thoughts early in the process.

    For single-incident traumas, significant relief can often be achieved in 1–4 sessions. If you’re working through ongoing or childhood trauma, meaningful progress typically begins around 12 sessions, with deeper healing continuing over 20 or more sessions. Some clients resolve their concerns in as little as 3–6 sessions, while others benefit from a slower, more gradual approach.

    Ready to start your healing journey with EMDR therapy in Adelaide? Contact Warming Light Counselling today to discuss how we can tailor the pace of therapy to suit your needs and help you achieve lasting relief.

    Ready to start your healing journey with EMDR therapy in Adelaide? Contact Warming Light Counselling today to discuss how we can tailor the pace of therapy to suit your needs and help you achieve lasting relief.

  • Yes, Medicare rebates are available for EMDR therapy under the Better Access to Mental Health initiative. To access these rebates, you will need a referral from your general practitioner (GP) or psychiatrist. This referral allows you to claim rebates for up to 10 focused psychological therapy sessions per calendar year.

  • Bilateral stimulation (BLS) is a key component of EMDR therapy that helps the brain process distressing memories by engaging both hemispheres in a rhythmic, back-and-forth pattern. This stimulation promotes adaptive memory processing, reducing emotional distress and allowing for more balanced responses to past experiences.

    BLS can be done in a variety of ways, including:

    • Traditional methods – Following a therapist’s hand movements, listening to alternating tones, or feeling gentle taps on your hands or shoulders.

    • Movement-based BLS – Walking in place, swaying side to side, or bouncing a ball between hands.

    • Sensory BLS – Alternating hand squeezes with stress balls, tracing a figure-eight pattern, or using textured objects like smooth stones.

    • Creative approaches – Painting or drawing with both hands, playing simple drumming rhythms, or knitting with alternating hand movements.

    In online EMDR sessions, BLS can be adapted using onscreen visuals, guided tapping, or stereo audio cues. No matter the method, the goal is to help your brain reprocess trauma in a way that feels safe and effective for you.


    Curious about how EMDR therapy in Adelaide can help you heal through bilateral stimulation? Contact Mel today to learn more.


  • EMDR therapy can be highly effective, but it may not be the right fit for everyone. Some individuals may require additional preparation or alternative approaches before beginning EMDR, particularly those who:

    • Experience severe dissociation – Conditions like Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or significant depersonalization may require a more gradual approach with stabilization techniques before engaging in trauma processing.

    • Have untreated psychosis – Individuals experiencing active delusions or hallucinations may need other forms of support before starting EMDR.

    • Are in acute crisis – If someone is in a state of extreme distress, crisis intervention and emotional stabilization may be necessary before trauma processing.

    • Struggle with emotional regulation – Some individuals may need to strengthen coping skills and nervous system regulation before engaging in deeper trauma work.

    • Are unable to tolerate distress – EMDR involves revisiting distressing memories, and if someone is unable to stay grounded, therapy may focus on building safety and stabilization first.

    At Warming Light Counselling, we take a careful and individualized approach to EMDR. During your assessment, we will explore whether EMDR is the right fit for you and ensure that you feel safe, supported, and ready. 

  • Yes, EMDR therapy can be effectively integrated with other therapeutic methods such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). While EMDR therapy focuses on processing past trauma, these therapies can address current challenges, build coping strategies, and help shift unhelpful thought patterns. By combining EMDR therapy with other approaches, we create a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses both past experiences and present-day concerns.

    If you’re facing the impact of trauma or emotional difficulties, EMDR can offer a powerful path to healing. At Warming Light Counselling, we provide EMDR therapy in a supportive, compassionate environment, tailored to your specific needs. Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, but with evidence-based therapies like EMDR therapy, many find relief and discover new ways to move forward.
    Ready to see how EMDR therapy in Adelaide can help you? Reach out to book a consultation with us today.