250 Sheppard Ave. W., Toronto, Ontario M2N 1N3
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EMDR for Trauma Therapy

Has a traumatic experience left you feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or helpless? We can help.

EMDR therapy for trauma can help you:

be more present in your life

feel safe in your surroundings

free yourself from shame

Why can’t I move forward?

When you struggle with the affects of trauma, it can show up in ways that can’t always be easily connected to the event or situation that occurred. The outward symptoms can appear as headaches, stomachaches, fog, haze, chest pain, or panic episodes. Sometimes it can feel like a terror that restricts your movements or show up as nagging neck and shoulder pain. Over time, the effects of trauma can lead to isolating yourself, limiting social interaction, and feeling unworthy of love or connection.

EMDR therapy for trauma can help you get past what's keeping you stuck.

The Effects Of Trauma Are Not Always Easy To Identify. ​

You may be suffering from trauma if you:

  • Feel like you are constantly on edge, like something bad could happen at any minute
  • Can't stop replaying the event in your mind
  • Feel disconnected from your body and emotions, and find yourself "checking out" often
  • Feel isolated, like no one would be able to understand what you are feeling
  • Struggle completing every day tasks, even to the point of leaving the house

EMDR therapy for trauma can help you process the emotions and protective instincts caused by traumatic events

“Trauma is a psychic wound that hardens you psychologically that then interferes with your ability to grow and develop. It pains you and now you’re acting out of pain. It induces fear and now you’re acting out of fear. Trauma is not what happens to you, it’s what happens inside you as a result of what happened to you.”
– Gabor Mate

EMDR & Trauma Therapy Centre

Our Approach To Trauma Therapy

We take the time to understand you as a person who has a lived experience that has brought you here. We use a 3-step approach to get the relief you need.

1. We get to know you

Unfolding your story is the most important step we take, as it helps us understand you and your lived experiences.

2. We work towards you goal

We use EMDR therapy to help you work through the trauma and help you move to the other side.

3. We help you move forward

We work at a pace and tolerance level you can handle as we move into the healing phase.
Depending on the complexity of the history of trauma this can take 10-20 sessions, with more complex cases taking up to 2 years.
Book about Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

What You Can Expect From EMDR Therapy for Trauma

  • Reduced symptoms, such as anxiety and intrusive thoughts
  • To develop healthy coping skills that you can use to manage stress and triggers
  • Increased self awareness and the ability to recognize patterns that have been inhibiting your life
  • Greater self compassion and self esteem

Reconnect with yourself so you can live fully.

EMDR & Trauma Therapy In Toronto

Why choose EMDR & Trauma Therapy Centre?

We understand that working through trauma can be a vulnerable and emotional process.
  • We strive to create a safe, non-judgmental environment for our clients.
  • We use an integrative approach to trauma therapy so clients can experience more complete healing.
  • We are committed to providing personalized care and support, meeting each client where they are in their healing journey.
  • We are attuned to your needs and we work at a therapy pace you can handle.
We strive to help people better understand themselves and show up in the world in a way they were meant to live.
Eliza Fernandes, Founder of EMDR & Trauma Therapy Centre, Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist, Approved EMDRIA Consultant

Eliza Fernandes, MSW, RSW
Founder, Clinical Social Worker, Psychotherapist, Approved EMDRIA Consultant

Frequently Asked Questions About
EMDR & Trauma Therapy

The effects of trauma can show up in a variety of ways. Persistent symptoms such as anxiety, depression/low mood, intrusive thoughts, feelings of shame, low self confidence, mood swings,
and sleep disturbances
can be signs that unresolved trauma is affecting your life.

If you notice that these unwelcome symptoms are negatively impacting your daily life, it may be a sign that trauma therapy could be beneficial.

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. The therapy uses structured eye movements to help minimize or eliminate the physiological effects of past trauma and works by allowing the brain to reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional intensity and fostering a sense of resolution.

By targeting the neurological underpinnings of traumatic memories and incorporating a structured, client-centered approach, EMDR therapy can effectively promote healing and recovery from trauma. Many individuals who undergo EMDR therapy report lasting improvements in their symptoms and overall well-being, demonstrating the transformative potential of this evidence-based treatment.

The process of EMDR therapy follows 8 phases:

  1. History taking
  2. Preparation
  3. Assessment
  4. Desensitization
  5. Installation
  6. Body scan
  7. Closure
  8. Re-evaluation

 

During each phase of the treatment, we assess how you are doing emotionally, and proceed only as you feel safe and ready. EMDR therapy takes time, but has proven to be effective in minimizing distressing emotions so you can heal.

As each person’s healing journey is so different, there is no set number of sessions we set aside for EMDR therapy. We move through each of the 8 steps as quickly or slowly as you feel comfortable.
Your unique circumstances, emotional wellbeing, and the complexity and severity of the trauma you have experienced are all factors that play into the length of time you will need extra support to heal.
Patience, perseverance, and a commitment to your healing journey will be essential factors in achieving lasting improvements in your well-being. We will work to monitor your progress and support you every step of the way.

Bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, taps, or tones, is a core component of EMDR therapy that facilitates communication between the brain’s two hemispheres. It is believed that this stimulation helps to integrate and process traumatic memories more effectively, allowing the individual to reprocess and reframe their experiences, leading to reduced distress and increased adaptive functioning.

EMDR therapy can be integrated with other therapeutic methods, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT). Combining these approaches can provide a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses different aspects of trauma recovery, from symptom reduction to building resilience and coping skills.

MDR therapy has shown effectiveness in treating complex trauma and dissociative disorders, but it’s crucial to work with a therapist who has specialized training and experience in these areas. A modified approach to EMDR may be needed, with a focus on stabilization, grounding techniques, and careful pacing to ensure client safety and efficacy.

How To Get Started

Get started with the EMDR & Trauma Therapy Centre in Toronto. Serving the Greater Toronto Area. Online sessions are available across Ontario, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia.

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Get your questions answered and be placed with the right therapist. Book a free 15-minute consult.

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Ready to start moving forward?

EMDR & Trauma Therapy Centre

We can help you feel the confidence you need to start living again.