- Updated 6th November 2024 (Originally published 4 March 2024)
Welcome to our EMDR therapy in Melbourne guide. If you’re looking for a research based therapy to deal with trauma, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety or chronic stress,
EMDR might be the solution for you.
We want to simplify EMDR therapy by giving you all the information and support you need to decide if this therapy might help you.
Ask your therapist, psychologist or clinical psychologist.
Quick Facts
- EMDR therapy is an effective, world wide treatment for PTSD, anxiety, depression and more, in 8 phases with bilateral stimulation to process traumatic experiences.
- Studies show EMDR is as or more effective than traditional treatments like CBT and is also suitable for those who struggle with verbal expression as it doesn’t require lots of talking.
- Melbourne has EMDR services with telehealth options and you can use the butterfly hug at home to manage symptoms between sessions.
Table of Contents
What is EMDR Therapy
Traumatic memories are the focus of therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an interactive form of psychotherapy that brings to awareness mental images, feelings and physical sensations associated with traumatic memories while moving one’s eyes. Traumatic memories can be experienced in many ways including:
- imagery linked to trauma
- pervasive negative beliefs
- emotional responses
- somatic experiences
Bilateral Stimulation
Traumatic memories are targeted with a process called Bilateral Stimulation. This is a unique process of left-right stimulation of the brain. This form of stimulation is believed to activate the parts of the brain where traumatic memories are stored at the same time as the working memory of the brain. This brain activity is associated with processing of traumatic memories. Bilateral stimulation can be achieved through:
- Side to side eye movements where the client follows the therapist’s fingers or a moving object.
- Auditory tones played alternately in each ear.
- Physical taps or gentle touches (tactile sensations) on the client’s hands, knees or shoulders alternately from left to right.
Bilateral stimulation is used to help the brain process distressing memories and thoughts by activating both sides of the brain. This is thought to reduce emotional distress and promote new, more adaptive insights and beliefs about the traumatic or stressful experiences. By engaging both sides of the brain the client can reprocess the memory so it no longer bothers them.
History of EMDR Therapy
In 1987 Francine Shapiro noticed that the eye movements of her clients reduced the intensity of the negative emotions attached to their traumatic memories. After this breakthrough discovery Shapiro did extensive research and clinical trials to further explore this phenomenon. Her work led to the development of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy which she introduced to the professional psychology community as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in 1989. Since then there has been a flood of scientific research to validate EMDR. Many studies were conducted including randomised controlled trials which are the gold standard of clinical research.
EMDR Therapy Applications
EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective in treating many clinical mental health issues including but not limited to:
- PTSD
- Complex PTSD
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Panic Attacks

Trauma and PTSD
Studies have consistently shown EMDR reduces symptoms of PTSD and other trauma related disorders. Because of this growing evidence EMDR has been recognised and endorsed by leading mental health organisations including the Australian Psychological Society, American Psychological Association and the World Health Organisation as a treatment for trauma and stress related conditions.
In Melbourne, health professionals are now offering EMDR as part of their private practice counselling services to support individuals with PTSD and trauma.
EMDR for Anxiety and Panic Disorders
EMDR is an accepted intervention for a range of anxiety conditions including generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety and phobias. By moving the eyes and focusing on the distressing event EMDR helps the individual move to positive thought patterns and reduce anxiety symptoms.
EMDR is beneficial for adults and adolescents who may struggle to articulate their experiences or who feel overwhelmed when talking about their anxieties. This therapy allows for emotional healing with less emphasis on talking about the anxieties, making it a more gentle, compassionate and perhaps less daunting way to manage anxiety related conditions.
EMDR is a phased treatment
EMDR has several phases which starts with collecting the patient’s family history and developing a treatment plan, then preparatory work. Then assessment, desensitisation phase, working with beliefs or thought patterns, body scan to identify any residual physical sensations associated with traumatic memories.
Assessment Phase
The assessment phase of EMDR therapy is the foundation for the rest of the treatment and to ensure the therapist and client are ready for what’s to come. This stage involves collecting information about the client’s mental health and current life challenges. This phase also involves setting treatment goals and planning for the structured phases of EMDR.
A strong therapeutic relationship is an important part of EMDR therapy and this begins in the assessment phase. This relationship is built on trust, safety and mutual respect so clients feel comfortable sharing and working through deeply personal and often distressing experiences. A positive therapeutic alliance is key to the treatment as clients are more likely to stay engaged and committed to the process when they feel heard and supported by their therapist. By building a strong connection therapists can tailor the treatment to the individual client and create a safe space for healing and growth.
One of the main goals of this phase is to identify and understand the specific traumatic event and the connections between its components such as:
- visual representations
- thought patterns
- emotional responses
- physical experiences
Preparing for EMDR Therapy
Preparation is an important part of EMDR therapy with your psychologist. To get the best outcome it’s important to stabilise your mood and lifestyle. This means doing things that promote emotional well-being and resilience such as getting regular sleep, eating well and exercising regularly. Clients starting EMDR therapy need to have robust emotion regulation skills especially if they have complex trauma or have conditions like Borderline Personality Disorder. Developing these skills is important before starting any trauma processing as it provides a stable emotional base to work from. Emotion regulation skills help clients manage and withstand the intense feelings that can come up during EMDR without becoming overwhelmed. These skills are particularly important for clients with complex trauma as they often have multiple emotions that can be triggered during therapy sessions. For those with Borderline Personality Disorder strong emotion regulation skills are vital. By developing skills like mindfulness, deep breathing and grounding exercises clients can create a more resilient emotional foundation and be better prepared for the therapeutic work of processing traumatic memories with EMDR.
Other Therapies
EMDR can be used in conjunction with other therapies such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy to treat a wide range of psychological conditions. Clinical psychologists often combine these therapies with EMDR to enhance the treatment.
CBT is a structured, task based form of psychological treatment that requires active participation. It’s based on the idea that thoughts, emotions and behaviour are connected and is often used by clinical psychologists to help clients with various mental health issues.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another therapy that can be used alongside EMDR. ACT is a form of cognitive-behavioural therapy that focuses on psychological flexibility, helping people to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fight or feel guilty about them. The core idea of ACT is to stop avoiding, denying and struggling with inner emotions and instead accept that these deeper feelings are a normal response to certain situations and shouldn’t stop them from moving forward in their lives.
DBT was originally developed to treat Borderline Personality Disorder and teaches skills like mindfulness and emotion regulation. These skills are meant to improve relationships and life quality and can also be useful when used with EMDR especially for clients who are experiencing intense emotional distress or interpersonal challenges.
Schema Therapy is another integrative approach that combines elements of CBT, attachment theory, psychodynamic concepts and emotion focused therapies. It helps to identify and change deeply ingrained patterns or schemas that underlie chronic psychological problems. When used with EMDR Schema Therapy can help clients gain deeper understanding of their long standing issues and lead to lasting change.
By using these therapies with EMDR, psychologists can tailor the treatment to each individual’s needs and help recovery from a wide range of mental health conditions and overall well-being.


Telehealth EMDR Options
The convenience of online EMDR has been a blessing for many clients especially during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. To do and practice this form of remote therapy you will need:
- A stable internet connection
- A computer or tablet with a webcam
- Headphones for clear audio
- A private space where you can ensure your privacy
- Access to a phone during your session
Face-to-Face vs Telehealth EMDR
Your therapist can help you decide if EMDR via telehealth is suitable for you. The recommendation of an experienced EMDR therapist is important here because for some people EMDR works better face to face rather than through the online medium. Face to face sessions can provide a more tangible therapeutic presence and support which some people may need to feel safe to do the therapy. The physical space of a therapist’s office can also provide a sense of ritual and formality that facilitates the therapy. On the other hand telehealth sessions provide more convenience and accessibility especially for those with mobility issues, time constraints or who live in remote areas. It also allows individuals to have therapy in the comfort of their own home which can be a calming factor for many. Ultimately the choice between face to face and telehealth EMDR should be based on personal preference, lifestyle and the recommendation of a qualified EMDR therapist.
EMDR at Home
EMDR has a unique feature that allows clients to use bilateral stimulation at home. Simple and effective techniques like self-tapping or the butterfly hug can be powerful tools for clients to use outside of sessions to manage symptoms and have practical and easy access to their emotional state.
Bilateral stimulation can be done in daily life as self-care and emotion regulation.
Who is EMDR not for?
EMDR is not suitable for everyone. Some people may need other forms of therapy to stabilise or address other serious mental health or issues before EMDR. It’s important to have a thorough consultation with a healthcare provider to determine the best and safest treatment plan. If EMDR will trigger extreme levels of distress that you cannot tolerate your psychologist may recommend another treatment. For many people other forms of therapy will be more helpful to stabilise the emotional state and EMDR can be considered later.
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Conclusion
In summary EMDR therapy is a proven method to process traumatic memories and experiences through its bilateral stimulation approach. This technique uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain reorganise and heal from trauma. Its effectiveness in treating mental health conditions like PTSD, anxiety and depression is recognised globally with its evidence based protocol providing a structured path to recovery.
For those who are looking for support with life challenges like trauma, anxiety, grief or stress this compassionate evidence based approach to therapy can be life changing.


Dr. Chris Coleiro
Chris is Clinical Psychologist and a co-director of Cova Psychology, located in the Melbourne CBD, where he provides supervision to psychologists whilst cultivating a supportive culture within the Cova team. Chris has worked extensively in the assessment and treatment of trauma, PTSD, and Borderline Personality Disorder. He combines a range of therapies in his approach including CBT, Schema Therapy, EMDR and IFS. Chris is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the APS college of Clinical Psychology, and of the Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing Australian Association (EMDRAA).