EMDR Therapy
EMDR Therapy at Choice Point Psychological
At Choice Point Psychological, we have psychologists trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) to help individuals overcome trauma and stress-related symptoms. EMDR therapy is a mind-body approach that can allow you to uncover root causes to your presenting concerns. Distressing experiences stored incorrectly in your brain and body may be impacting your neurophysiology and ultimately disrupting the way you think, feel, or behave in certain contexts or situations.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR Therapy is a powerful and proven psychotherapeutic approach that addresses a wide range of trauma and stress-related conditions, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Unlike traditional therapies, EMDR allows you to move forward without extensively discussing or reliving traumatic events. The goal is to help you break out of unhelpful patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that is intruding on your quality of life and keeping you from living a meaningful life.
Our Approach to EMDR Therapy in Calgary
Our EMDR therapy sessions offer an ideal solution for those who have found limited improvement from traditional talk therapy sessions. Despite developing deeper insight into yourself from talking through your day to day concerns, you may still find that you are caught in old ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Through the utilization of bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or sounds, we tap into your brain’s natural healing abilities to process and address unresolved past experiences contributing to your presenting concerns.
This approach allows you to achieve a state of mind that is no longer overwhelmed by past events. EMDR therapy has shown success in treating various conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, trauma and PTSD, eating disorders, chronic pain, sleep issues, and more.
How EMDR Therapy Works
When stressful or traumatic events occur, disruptions can occur to the brain’s natural memory integration process which can prevent learning from the experience and lead to an array of distressing symptoms. This is in part due to memories becoming “stuck” in unprocessed raw form still charged with fight/flight/freeze energy. EMDR therapy can help the brain resume its natural healing process, where memories can be stored without triggering distressing emotions.
It is important to note that EMDR does not erase memories; rather, it decreases the emotional intensity associated with them, leading to greater healing and resilience.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy
- Trauma recovery: EMDR therapy empowers you to recognize and process thoughts and feelings connected to traumatic events, helping you break free from the grip of past experiences.
- Addressing generalized anxiety: By releasing circular thinking patterns, EMDR enables you to confront and manage your fears and worries more effectively.
- Improved self-perception: If you find yourself trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and self-criticism, EMDR therapy can help break these negative thinking habits, replacing them with positive beliefs and fostering a more positive self-image.
- Minimal talking: EMDR treatment minimizes the need for extensive verbalization. Our therapists guide you through the eye movements, allowing the experience to be primarily internal. If you struggle to articulate your feelings in words, EMDR may be an ideal treatment option for you.
- Fast results: EMDR is known for its efficiency as a short-term treatment. We typically recommend 8 to 12 weekly sessions, making it an excellent choice for individuals with time constraints seeking effective mental healthcare.
Meet Our EMDR Therapists in Calgary
Our registered EMDR therapists in Calgary are passionate about helping you achieve profound healing and growth. We invite you to connect with our compassionate team to further explore the benefits of this powerful treatment and determine if EMDR therapy is the right choice for you. Take the first step towards better mental and emotional health by reaching out to us today.
Book an EMDR Therapy Session in Calgary
If you are seeking to improve your mental health, we are here to support you. Our experienced therapists are dedicated to helping you reshape habits that no longer align with the person you want to be. If you are in search of a reputable EMDR therapist in Calgary, contact us now to book a session.
EMDR Therapy offered by Choice Point Psychological provides a transformative pathway towards healing and resilience. By addressing the impact of trauma through our evidence-based approach, we empower individuals to reclaim their lives and find solace in the present. Our compassionate therapists are ready to guide you on this transformative journey towards better mental and emotional well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy
What is EMDR therapy, and how does it work?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative, mind-body psychotherapeutic approach designed to help individuals process distressing memories and resolve trauma. When you experience a traumatic event, your brain may struggle to process it normally, leaving memories “stuck” in a raw form charged with fight, flight, or freeze energy.
Working with a registered EMDR therapist in Calgary, you will use bilateral stimulation—such as guided side-to-side eye movements, alternating taps, or auditory tones—while briefly focusing on target memories. Dual attention helps unlock your brain’s natural adaptive information processing, reducing the emotional distress attached to past experiences and replacing negative self-beliefs with adaptive ones.
What conditions can be treated at your Calgary EMDR clinic?
While EMDR is widely recognized as a gold-standard treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma recovery, our Calgary EMDR clinic utilizes it to treat a broad range of mental health and stress-related concerns, including:
- Single-incident trauma (accidents, physical assaults, natural disasters)
- Complex or developmental trauma (childhood abuse, emotional neglect)
- Depression and persistent mood issues
- Generalized anxiety, panic, and phobias
- Eating disorders and sleep disturbances
- Chronic pain and somatic symptoms
- Performance anxiety and limiting self-beliefs
How is EMDR different from traditional talk therapy?
Traditional talk therapy typically relies on talking through daily issues to gain insight. While insight is valuable, many people still feel stuck in automatic physiological and emotional reactions.
EMDR therapy differs in two key ways:
- Minimal Talking Required: You do not need to detail or relive traumatic events extensively. Processing is largely internal, making it ideal if you find it difficult to articulate painful feelings into words.
- Mind-Body Processing: By utilizing bilateral stimulation to engage your neurophysiology, EMDR targets root causes stored in both the brain and body rather than relying solely on verbal processing.
What are the 8 phases of EMDR therapy?
Your EMDR therapist in Calgary guides you through a structured, 8-phase treatment plan tailored to your specific needs:
- History Taking & Treatment Planning: Gathering background and identifying target memories.
- Preparation: Learning coping mechanisms and grounding strategies to manage distress safely.
- Assessment: Identifying the negative beliefs, emotions, and bodily sensations linked to the memory.
- Desensitization: Reprocessing the target memory using bilateral stimulation until emotional charge decreases.
- Installation: Strengthening positive, self-affirming beliefs to replace negative patterns.
- Body Scan: Processing and releasing lingering physical tension associated with the memory.
- Closure: Ensuring you return to emotional equilibrium before leaving the session.
- Re-evaluation: Reviewing progress in subsequent sessions to evaluate current treatment goals.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
EMDR is known for being an efficient, short-term treatment approach. Many clients see significant progress within 8 to 12 weekly sessions. However, the exact timeline depends on whether you are working through a single traumatic event or complex, long-standing trauma. Your therapist will collaborate with you to create an individualized plan.
How long are the sessions, and what are the fees?
- Standard Sessions: Individual therapy sessions are 50 minutes at $220.
- EMDR Processing Sessions: When beginning active bilateral stimulation and reprocessing (Phases 3–6), we often recommend double sessions (90–100 minutes) at $425 to allow sufficient time to safely process and close out a target memory.
Is EMDR covered by private insurance or third-party coverage?
Yes. Most extended health insurance plans cover psychological services provided by registered psychologists at our Calgary EMDR clinic
- Direct Billing: We offer direct billing for major insurance providers like Canada Life and Alberta Blue Cross whenever supported by the provider.
- Third-Party Coverage: Our services can also be covered through Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) insurance claims, Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB), and Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB).
Can I do EMDR therapy online, or do I need to visit the Calgary clinic in person?
Choicepoint Psychological offers both in-person sessions at our SW Calgary clinic (located in Downtown Calgary at 940 6th Ave SW) and virtual/online EMDR therapy across Alberta. Virtual EMDR uses specialized digital bilateral tools or visual cues and has proven to be equally effective for many clients.
How do I get started with an EMDR therapist at Choicepoint Psychological?
Taking the first step is simple:
- Book a Free Consultation: We offer a free 20-minute consultation (via phone or video) to answer your questions and match you with a psychologist trained in EMDR.
- Initial Assessment: Once matched, your therapist will complete an intake session to discuss your history and determine if EMDR is the right path for your goals.
Reach out via phone at 587-362-0640 or email [email protected] to request your free consultation.