EMDR Therapy in Port Coquitlam
EMDR Therapy in Port Coquitlam for Anxiety, Trauma & Stress
SERVICE PROVIDED BY:
Carrie
Zahra
Suki
Shay
Are You Feeling Stuck In Something That Happened To You?
You know something from your past is affecting your present. Maybe it's a specific event you can't stop thinking about. Maybe it's a pattern of anxiety or fear that doesn't make sense given where you are in life right now. Maybe you've tried talk therapy and made some progress, but there's something that still hasn't shifted.
That's exactly what EMDR is designed for.Read More: What is EMDR Therapy? A Comprehensive Guide
You Might Recognise Some Of These Experiences
EMDR works best for people who feel like part of them is still stuck in something that happened, even when the rest of their life has moved on. Here's what that can look like:
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You react strongly to things that others seem to brush off. The response feels automatic, like your body takes over before your brain catches up.
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Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or images that show up when you don't want them to. You've tried to push them down but they keep surfacing.
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You go out of your way to avoid certain places, people, situations, or conversations because of how they make you feel. It's starting to limit you.
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Something happened — or a lot of things happened over time — and it left you with beliefs about yourself that you know aren't entirely true but can't seem to shake.
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You feel stuck in it. Like you can't move through it no matter how much time passes.
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Especially common for healthcare workers, first responders, and caregivers who have absorbed a lot of other people's pain over time.
If any of this sounds familiar, EMDR may be worth considering.
The Tension, The Dread, The Physical Reactions You Can't Explain
When something overwhelming happens, the brain doesn't always process it the way it does ordinary memories. Instead of filing it away, the brain keeps it close to the surface — ready to react as if it's still happening. That's why certain triggers can send you straight back into a feeling from years ago, even when you're completely safe right now.
Talk therapy is valuable, but it works primarily through language and conscious thought. EMDR works differently. It targets the way distressing memories are stored in the nervous system and helps the brain finish processing them so they lose their emotional charge. You can remember what happened without being flooded by it.
This is why people who have tried talk therapy and felt like they hit a wall often respond well to EMDR. It gets at something that words alone can't always reach.
What Is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly researched psychotherapy approach. It involves a structured eight-phase protocol designed to help individuals process distressing memories and experiences in a safe and controlled environment. EMDR is a three-pronged approach which works with the first time you felt a certain way, the most intense experience of it, and the most recent. Essentially, it helps you process memories, moments, or themes you feel stuck in.
The World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association both recommend EMDR as a first-line treatment for trauma and PTSD. It is one of the most evidence-based approaches to trauma therapy available.
Read More: How EMDR Therapy Can Help Heal Trauma
What is EMDR good for? EMDR Works for More Than “Big Trauma”
EMDR can help with big scary events, but it might also help with everyday struggles that keep you feeling stuck.
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Beliefs that what you say doesn't matter
Beliefs that you have to are unlovable or unlikeable
Having trouble saying “no” to people
Feeling like you always have to make others happy
Think of it this way: It's like clearing a clogged drain so water can flow freely instead of backing up and making a mess.
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Feeling anxious when you have to make decisions
Shying away from dating because it’s too scary to trust others
Feeling guilty when you try to set boundaries
Being scared of disappointing people
Not trusting yourself to make good choices
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You don't always have to spend months talking through every detail
EMDR works with your brain to process stuck thoughts and feelings
Some people notice changes fairly quickly, though everyone is different
Your brain and body do a lot of the work to create helpful changes
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Your therapist will explain everything before you start
You'll work at your own pace, there's no rush
Some sessions might feel intense, others might feel calm
You might notice changes between sessions or it might take time
Your therapist will check in with you regularly about how you're feeling in & out of session
EMDR helps you work through beliefs that aren't helping you anymore. This could help you think more clearly and feel more confident about your decisions.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR utilizes bilateral stimulation, this can be delivered via eye movement, varying audio sounds, or tactical tappers. EMDR involves 8 phases:
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History-taking and goal setting.
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Preparation, which includes building a therapeutic relationship and working on coping skills to utilize outside of sessions.03
Assessment of target memories or experiences to be processed.04
Desensitization, where the client focuses on the distressing memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation.05
Installation, where positive beliefs and emotions are strengthened to replace negative beliefs associated with the memory.06
Body scan, to ensure that any residual physical tension related to the memory has been addressed.07
Closure, which involves grounding techniques and ensuring a stable state before ending the session.
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Re-evaluation of progress and addressing any remaining issues in subsequent sessionsNote: This is not all done in one session and takes time to move through these steps.
How Does EMDR Impact You?
Research suggests that the bilateral stimulation used in EMDR helps promote the integration of traumatic memories into your overall memory network in a less emotionally charged way. This may involve changes in the way the brain processes and stores traumatic memories, leading to reduced emotional distress and negative symptoms.
EMDR has been shown to be highly effective in reducing symptoms associated with trauma and other psychological issues including intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance behaviours, and emotional reactivity. It is often associated with faster symptom relief compared to traditional talk therapy, making it a strong option for people who have tried talk therapy and haven't felt much movement toward their goals.
EMDR can also promote emotional regulation, self-esteem, and a sense of empowerment as you gain mastery over difficult experiences and develop more adaptive ways of coping.
Note: EMDR is not a magic treatment to meet all goals. Side effects can be discussed and need to be taken into consideration.
Why Work With Serenity Counselling For EMDR
We offer EMDR at our Port Coquitlam office and virtually throughout BC. Our therapists are trained in EMDR and work with adults navigating trauma, anxiety, grief, and other experiences where something feels unresolved.
EMDR sessions at Serenity are paced carefully. Before any processing work begins, your therapist will spend time building a solid foundation with you, making sure you have the coping skills and sense of safety needed to do the work well. You won't be rushed into anything.
We also understand that finding a therapist who feels like the right fit matters enormously when you're working with difficult material. That's why we offer a free 20-minute consultation before you commit to anything.Read More: Empowerment Through EMDR: Healing Trauma and Reclaiming Control
Book a free 20-minute consultation to get started.
“Together, we unravel the mysteries of life using curiosity as our guiding light .”
LOOKING FOR MORE ANSWERS?
Frequently Asked Questions
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EMDR therapy impacts you by changing the way your brain stores distressing memories. Rather than keeping traumatic memories close to the surface where they continue to trigger emotional reactions, EMDR helps your brain process and integrate them so they feel less charged. Most people find they can recall what happened without being flooded by the feelings attached to it.
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If talk therapy did not help, EMDR may be worth trying because it works differently. Talk therapy operates primarily through language and conscious reflection. EMDR targets how memories are stored in the nervous system, which means it can reach things that talking alone sometimes can't. Many people who felt stuck in traditional therapy respond well to EMDR.
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The benefits of EMDR therapy include reduction in intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance behaviours. Many people also experience improved emotional regulation, stronger self-esteem, and a greater sense of being present in their day-to-day life. Because EMDR often works faster than traditional talk therapy, people tend to notice meaningful changes within a relatively short period of consistent sessions.
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How many EMDR sessions you need depends on what you're working on. Some people process a specific single incidents fast. Complex or long-standing trauma typically takes longer. Your therapist will give you a better sense of what to expect once they understand your situation. We often state it is a minimum of 12 sessions to see a shift. Progress is reviewed regularly throughout the process.
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Yes, EMDR is available online at Serenity Counselling. Virtual EMDR can be delivered effectively using screen-based eye movement tools or audio bilateral stimulation. If you're located anywhere in BC and are unable to come in person to our Port Coquitlam office, online sessions are a fully workable option.