EMDR Therapy in Sydney.
When the past keeps arriving in the present
Sometimes it can feel as though your mind understands something is over, but your body hasn't received the message.
You may know you're safe now, yet still find yourself caught in intense emotions, memories, beliefs, or reactions that continue to show up in everyday life.
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy designed to help the brain process experiences that have become stuck, so they feel less overwhelming and more like something that happened in the past rather than something still happening now.
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing.
It is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps the brain process difficult experiences and reduce the emotional intensity attached to them. Many people find that memories become less distressing, self-critical beliefs begin to shift, and they feel less stuck in old patterns.
What Can EMDR Help With?
Trauma or PTSD
Childhood trauma
Complex trauma
Medical trauma
Workplace trauma
Bullying experiences
Identity-based trauma and minority stress
Memories that continue to feel present long after an event has ended
Emotional reactions that seem difficult to understand
Anxiety connected to difficult life experiences
Feeling stuck in patterns that seem linked to the past
Depression connected to difficult life experiences
A Gentle, Collaborative Approach
One of the most common misconceptions about EMDR is that people begin processing difficult memories straight away.
In practice, EMDR usually involves spending time understanding your experiences, building confidence in the therapy process, developing coping skills, and making sure you feel ready before any processing begins.
EMDR should feel collaborative, respectful, and appropriately paced. There is no expectation to move faster than feels manageable, and no requirement to share more than you are comfortable sharing.
What Happens During EMDR?
Every person's experience is different, but EMDR therapy generally involves:
Understanding your goals and history
Identifying experiences that continue to feel emotionally stuck
Building coping strategies and resources
Reprocessing difficult experiences using bilateral stimulation
Integrating changes into everyday life
FAQs
Do I have to talk about everything in detail?
1
Not necessarily. Many people are surprised by how little detail is required compared to what they expected. The focus is on helping your brain process experiences, rather than repeatedly retelling them.
Is EMDR only used for PTSD?
2
No. While EMDR is best known for trauma and PTSD, it can also be helpful for a range of experiences linked to difficult memories, anxiety, negative self-beliefs, and emotional responses that feel stuck or overwhelming.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
3
There is no fixed number. This depends on your goals, history, current supports, and the complexity of the experiences being explored. Some people seek support around a specific experience, while others are working through a longer history of trauma or adversity.
Can EMDR be provided via Telehealth?
4
Yes. EMDR can often be provided via Telehealth as well as in person. Whether Telehealth is appropriate will depend on your individual circumstances, goals, and the stage of therapy.
Working with Dan.
Hi, I'm Dan Macdonald (he/him), a Clinical Psychologist based in Sydney and the director of Lavender Psychology. Lavender Psychology is an LGBTQIA+ owned practice, and I work with LGBTQIA+ adults and couples across a wide range of experiences, including identity exploration, relationships, minority stress, anxiety, trauma, neurodivergence, and life transitions.
My approach to EMDR is collaborative, neuroaffirming and paced according to your needs. I also draw on ACT, CBT, DBT, and imagery rescripting where helpful.
Ready to Get Started?
If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment, you're welcome to get in touch.