EMDR therapy with a registered psychologist
Available online across NSW via secure telehealth
Some experiences don't respond to talking alone.
EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing - is a structured, evidence-based therapy designed to support the processing of distressing memories and experiences that continue to affect how you feel, think, or function in daily life.
It is one of the most extensively researched psychological therapies available, and is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Australian Psychological Society (APS) for the treatment of trauma and PTSD.
This may be worth exploring if:
You experienced something distressing that you haven't been able to fully move past
Certain memories, images, or feelings surface unexpectedly and feel difficult to manage
You notice strong emotional or physical reactions to situations that seem disproportionate
You've tried talking therapies before and found something still felt stuck
You're managing anxiety, hypervigilance, or a persistent sense of being on edge
What EMDR is - and what it isn't
EMDR is not about reliving painful experiences in detail, nor is it about forgetting them.
The therapy works by supporting the brain's natural capacity to process difficult memories - memories that, for various reasons, may have become stored in a way that keeps them feeling present and unresolved. Through a structured process using bilateral stimulation (typically guided eye movements, or tapping), EMDR can help shift the way a memory is held, so that it becomes less intrusive and less distressing over time.
You remain in control throughout the process. Sessions are paced to what feels manageable. Nothing moves faster than you are ready for.
Post-traumatic stress
Single-incident trauma - accidents, medical events, loss, assault
Childhood trauma and adverse early experiences
Birth trauma and perinatal distress
Anxiety and panic rooted in past experience
Phobias and distressing intrusive thoughts
Low self-worth connected to specific experiences or relationships
Stress and Burnout
WHAT EMDR CAN SUPPORT
How EMDR works at Bellingen Psychology
EMDR is not something that begins in the first session. The process starts with a thorough assessment and a period of preparation - building the skills and steadiness needed to approach more difficult material safely.
The work moves through structured phases, and the pace is determined collaboratively. For some people, meaningful shifts happen within a focused number of sessions. For others, particularly where experiences are more complex or longstanding, the work unfolds more gradually.
Rosie works in a calm, grounded way. There is no pressure to go further than feels right, and the sessions are held with care for your nervous system as well as your history.
EMDR via telehealth
EMDR is well-supported in an online format. Research indicates that telehealth delivery of EMDR can be as effective as in-person sessions for many presentations.
Online sessions are held via a secure video platform and adapted appropriately for the telehealth setting - including the use of bilateral stimulation techniques that translate well to a remote format.
For clients in regional or rural NSW, telehealth EMDR means access to a trained psychologist without the need to travel, and without the long waitlists that are common in many areas.
EMDR sessions are psychological treatment sessions and Medicare rebates apply in the same way as standard psychology sessions.
If you hold a current Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, you are eligible for a Medicare rebate of $98.95 per session, for up to ten sessions per calendar year.
No referral is required to book a private session.
EMDR + MEDICARE
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Most talking therapies work primarily through insight and meaning-making. EMDR works more directly with how distressing memories are stored and processed by the brain. For some people - particularly where past experiences continue to feel very present - this makes a significant difference.
-
No. EMDR does not require a detailed verbal account of what occurred. The focus is on how the memory is held - including associated feelings, body sensations, and beliefs - rather than a narrative retelling. Many clients find this a meaningful distinction.
-
This varies considerably depending on the nature and complexity of what is being addressed. A focused single-incident trauma may resolve in fewer sessions. Complex or longstanding trauma typically requires more time. This is something Rosie will discuss with you after assessment.
-
EMDR is not appropriate for everyone, and an assessment is always completed before any trauma processing begins. If EMDR is not the right fit, Rosie will discuss alternative approaches with you.
-
Yes. Telehealth EMDR is supported by research and is offered at Bellingen Psychology via secure video. The approach is adapted for the online format and has been found to be effective for many presentations..
-
No. EMDR can be helpful for a range of distressing experiences that do not meet the threshold for a formal PTSD diagnosis - including difficult memories, relational wounds, and experiences of loss or adversity.
-
Sessions can go between 60 and 90 minutes and can cost between $220 and $330. Rosie will discuss with you the best options and work with what is comfortable for you.
If you're curious about whether EMDR might be right for you, you're welcome to reach out.
there's no obligation to commit to anything before having a conversation.
