EMDR Therapy Sydney and Online
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) at Head in the Clouds
At Head in the Clouds, our clinicians offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy. EMDR is an evidence-based therapy originally developed to treat trauma. It is now used for a much wider range of mental health concerns.
Our trained clinicians often combine EMDR with other modalities such as parts work, inner child work and other approaches. This helps clients process distressing memories and current triggers in a way that suits their history and needs.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a structured therapy that helps the brain reprocess memories that remain “stuck”, meaning they still feel vivid, distressing or present long after the event has passed. Unprocessed memories like these can drive anxiety, low mood, negative beliefs about ourselves and strong reactions to everyday triggers.
EMDR can help with both “big T” and “small t” trauma:
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Big T trauma refers to overwhelming or life-threatening events, such as accidents, natural disasters, assault or violence.
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Small t trauma refers to experiences that may seem less dramatic but still shape how we feel about ourselves and others. Examples include ongoing criticism, bullying, emotional neglect, or growing up without our emotional needs being met.
By integrating what has happened in the past, EMDR helps people begin to feel, think and respond differently in the present.
EMDR therapists available now for sessions in our Surry Hills and Newtown clinics, or online via telehealth.
Stephanie Oldfield is a psychologist who uses EMDR to help clients overcome issues including trauma, anxiety, low self-esteem and OCD. She has worked across a wide range of mental health settings, including community mental health, drug and alcohol services, NDIS, and private practice.
What can EMDR help with?
EMDR is best known as a treatment for PTSD, but a growing body of research supports its use for many other concerns. Here are some of the most common.
Trauma and PTSD
EMDR works directly with the memories that drive PTSD symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares and avoidance. EMDR can also help with complex PTSD (CPTSD) and with problems adjusting after distressing events. It can be especially valuable for attachment difficulties rooted in childhood, when early experiences continue to shape how we relate to ourselves and others.
Depression and low self-esteem
EMDR can reduce symptoms of depression, particularly when low mood is linked to past experiences and persistent negative beliefs such as “I am not good enough” or “I am unlovable”.
Eating disorders and body image
Eating difficulties are often linked to earlier experiences of shame, criticism or trauma. As part of a broader treatment plan, EMDR can help address these underlying experiences and the beliefs connected to them. This can support work on binge eating, bulimia nervosa and other disordered eating patterns.
Anxiety, phobias and panic
Anxiety often has its roots in earlier frightening or overwhelming experiences. EMDR can target these memories, along with present triggers and feared future situations, to reduce anxiety, phobic responses and panic.
Grief and loss
Grief is a natural response to loss, but sometimes it becomes stuck. This is more likely when a death was sudden, traumatic or followed by intrusive images, guilt or “what ifs”. EMDR can help ease the most painful aspects of a loss so that people can remember the person with less distress and more connection.
Obsessive-compulsive patterns
Research on EMDR for OCD is still emerging. EMDR may be helpful alongside other treatments, especially when obsessive fears are connected to specific past experiences.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR follows a structured, phased approach that happens over multiple sessions. The pace is guided by what feels manageable for you.
1. History and treatment planning
You and your therapist develop a shared understanding of your current difficulties, history and goals. Together you identify the memories, triggers and future situations to focus on.
2. Preparation
Your therapist explains how EMDR works and teaches you emotion regulation and grounding tools. These help you stay steady during processing and between sessions. For people with complex trauma, this phase may take more time.
3. Processing
You briefly bring a memory, trigger or future scenario to mind while your therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation. The process pays attention to both emotional and physical (body) responses. It draws on the brain’s natural capacity to process and integrate distressing experiences, reducing their emotional charge.
4. Integration and future focus
As memories lose their charge, more helpful beliefs are strengthened and future situations are rehearsed. This supports lasting changes in how you feel and behave.
Many clients report that processed memories feel more distant and neutral, often describing them as “something that is in the past now”. Triggers also tend to feel less activating. Over time, this can lead to a reduction in symptoms and allow beliefs and behaviours to change.
Frequently asked questions about EMDR
Does EMDR really work?
Yes. EMDR has been tested in many clinical trials over more than three decades and is recommended for PTSD in both international and Australian treatment guidelines. Research supporting its use for other conditions continues to grow.
Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?
No. Unlike some other trauma therapies, EMDR does not require you to describe a memory in detail or repeat it at length. Your therapist needs a general sense of what you are working on, but much of the processing happens internally.
What does an EMDR session feel like?
During processing, emotions, images, body sensations or new thoughts may come up. Your therapist checks in with you regularly, and you can pause at any time. Many people feel tired after a session, and some notice the effects continuing over the following days.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
This varies from person to person. When working on a single, specific event, some people notice change within a relatively small number of sessions. When there are multiple traumatic experiences, complex trauma, or a need to build more regulation skills first, therapy usually takes longer. Your therapist will talk with you about what to expect early in treatment.
Can EMDR be done online?
Yes. EMDR can be delivered safely and effectively via telehealth, using on-screen eye movements or self-administered tapping.
Why choose Head in the Clouds?
Located in Surry Hills and Newtown, Head in the Clouds provides a welcoming environment for you to access effective treatment.
Our team of experienced and friendly clinical psychologists specialises in using EMDR to help individuals overcome depression and transform their mental well-being. We offer both in-person sessions at our conveniently located clinic and telehealth appointments for your flexibility.