EMDR Therapy in Ottawa & Westboro
Virtually Across Ontario

When past experiences continue to affect you in the present – through flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, or reactions that feel disproportionate to current situations – EMDR offers a path to healing. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps your brain process traumatic or distressing memories so they lose their emotional charge (the toll they take on you). You’ll still remember what happened, but it won’t feel as overwhelming or intrusive in your daily life.

Our Registered Psychotherapists at Therapy with Empathy bring EMDR to clients in Ottawa’s Westboro neighborhood and across Ontario through virtual sessions. We help you process difficult memories safely, reduce symptoms of trauma and anxiety, and build resilience so past experiences no longer control your present responses.

EMDR was developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro, who discovered that certain eye movements could reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts. Since then, extensive research has shown that EMDR is highly effective for treating PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and other conditions rooted in distressing experiences. The World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association recognize EMDR as an evidence-based treatment for trauma.

Unlike traditional talk therapy where you process memories primarily through discussion, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation – typically eye movements, tapping, or audio tones – while you briefly focus on traumatic memories. This process activates your brain’s natural healing mechanisms, similar to what happens during REM sleep. Your brain reprocesses the stuck memories, integrating them in a way that reduces their emotional intensity and allows adaptive information to take hold.

What sets EMDR apart is that you don’t need to talk about traumatic experiences in extensive detail for healing to occur. The reprocessing happens through your brain’s own adaptive information processing system. Many clients experience significant relief in fewer sessions than traditional trauma therapy, and the changes tend to be lasting. You’re not just learning to cope with symptoms – you’re addressing the root memories that fuel them.

Who Is EMDR For?

EMDR can be particularly helpful if you:

• Experience symptoms of PTSD or complex trauma
• Have distressing memories that intrude on daily life
• Struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, or phobias rooted in past experiences
• Notice emotional reactions that feel bigger than the current situation warrants
• Have experienced childhood trauma, abuse, or neglect
• Struggle with the aftermath of accidents, medical trauma, or loss
• Feel stuck despite trying traditional talk therapy
• Want an evidence-based approach that doesn’t require extensive discussion of trauma
• Experience performance anxiety, self-esteem issues, or relationship problems linked to past experiences

Ready to Process What’s Holding You Back?

Book your free 15-minute consultation to explore whether EMDR fits your needs. We’ll discuss your experiences, explain how EMDR works, and answer any questions about getting started.

Therapy with Empathy
Westboro, Ottawa | Virtual across Ontario
Bilingual services available (English/French)