EMDR Therapy

Why choose Havenwood Psychology for EMDR?

EMDR isn’t simply about processing a memory, its about helping you feel differently in the present.

Michelle is a psychologist and EMDR therapist. She completed level 1 and level 2 training through the EMDR institute in 2022 and has undertaken advanced training in Structural Dissociation.

In the last number of years, Michelle has successfully treated those with Anxiety, Panic attacks, OCD, Depression, PTSD and complex trauma, sexual abuse, body dysmorphia utilizing EMDR. Michelle has also treated multiple clients with Dissociative Identity Disorder (previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder).

Michelle’s approach is trauma informed, compassionate and paced around your individual needs.

You don’t need to be ready to talk about everything that has happened to you, and you won’t be pushed to process memories before you’re ready.

What happens during EDMR Therapy?

Your first sessions aren’t about immediately processing trauma.

We will talk first about what’s bringing you to therapy, understand your history and identify what you would like support with. We will work on strategies to help you feel grounded and safe before beginning trauma processing.

When you’re ready, we will identify specific memories, situations, beliefs or triggers to work with. EMDR is structured, collaborative and always paced around your needs.

You remain in control throughout the process.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured psychotherapy that helps people recover from trauma, PTSD, distressing life events and change belief systems.

It uniquely uses bilateral stimulation—such as side-to-side eye movements—to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their lasting emotional impact.

Here is a breakdown of how it works and what to expect:

  • The Core Mechanism: During EMDR, you recall a distressing memory while simultaneously focusing on a dual attention stimulus (like eye movements, a tapping sensation, or audio tones). This can help reduce the emotional intensity associated with traumatic memories and experiences.

  • The 8 Phases: EMDR is a comprehensive process that takes place over eight phases, including taking a history, preparing you with coping mechanisms, identifying specific targets (memories), reprocessing, and evaluation.

EMDR is highly endorsed by major mental health organizations, including the World Health Organization, for treating trauma. Research has demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing the distress associated to traumatic memories.

Why Choose EMDR for Trauma?

Trauma can affect more than your memories—it can shape how you feel, think, and respond long after the event has passed. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a trauma-focused therapy that can help you process distressing experiences in a safe, supported way.

Rather than requiring you to talk through every detail of what happened, EMDR helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories so they can feel less overwhelming and more like something that happened in the past.

Why choose EMDR?

  • It is specifically designed to help with trauma and distressing experiences.

  • You don't always need to describe every detail of the trauma.

  • It can help reduce the emotional intensity of difficult memories, triggers, and associated beliefs.

  • Treatment is structured and guided at a pace that prioritizes your sense of safety and control.

  • Many people find that EMDR helps them feel more present, confident, and able to move forward.

You don't have to keep living in the shadow of what happened.

EMDR can offer a pathway towards feeling safer, calmer, and more in control of your life.

Why Choose EMDR for Anxiety?

Anxiety can affect your thoughts, emotions, body, and everyday life. Whether you experience constant worry, panic, fear, or feel on edge, EMDR can help you understand and process the experiences that may be contributing to your anxiety.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can help you process distressing memories, experiences, and beliefs that may continue to trigger anxious responses in the present.

Why choose EMDR for anxiety?

  • It can help identify and process experiences that may be underlying your anxiety.

  • It can reduce the emotional intensity of distressing memories and triggers.

  • It can help you develop a greater sense of safety and control.

  • You don't always need to talk extensively about every difficult experience.

  • Treatment is guided at a pace that feels manageable and supportive.

You don't have to let anxiety dictate how you live your life.

EMDR can help you understand what is keeping your nervous system on high alert, process what is holding you back, and move towards feeling calmer and more in control.

What If You Have Repressed or Unclear Memories?

Sometimes people have memories that feel unclear, fragmented, distant, or difficult to access. This can be particularly confusing when you feel that something may have happened but you cannot remember exactly what.

In therapy, you don't need to have a complete or clear memory to seek support. EMDR can work with the thoughts, emotions, body sensations, and reactions you are experiencing in the present, without requiring you to uncover or reconstruct a memory.

Importantly, therapy should never involve trying to make you remember something that you cannot recall. Memories can be complex, and it is possible for people to misinterpret or unintentionally fill in gaps in their memories.

Your wellbeing doesn't depend on remembering every detail. Therapy can focus on helping you feel safer, understand your current reactions, and reduce the distress you are experiencing—whether or not a clear memory ever emerges.