EMDR Therapy Brisbane
Looking for EMDR therapy in Brisbane? EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps people process distressing experiences that continue to affect them in the present. Whether you're struggling with trauma, anxiety, a difficult life event, workplace stress, or long-standing patterns of self-doubt, EMDR can help your nervous system make sense of experiences that feel "stuck" so you can move forward with greater confidence and ease.
At Connect the Dots Psychology, I provide EMDR therapy for adults seeking more than symptom management. My approach is warm, collaborative and tailored to your needs, helping you understand not only what happened, but how those experiences continue to shape your emotions, relationships, confidence and wellbeing today.
You can call 0455 298 274, or book online, for a free 10–15 minute enquiry call to explore whether this approach feels like a good fit.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a structured psychotherapy that helps the brain process and integrate distressing experiences that have become "stuck" in the nervous system.
When difficult experiences are not fully processed, they can continue to trigger strong emotional reactions, negative beliefs about yourself, anxiety, avoidance, self-doubt or feelings of being constantly on edge.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess these experiences so they become part of your story rather than something that continues to feel present and emotionally overwhelming.
Many clients describe EMDR as helping them move from "I know I'm safe, but I don't feel safe" to genuinely feeling calmer, more grounded and less affected by past experiences.
What Can EMDR Help With?
Although EMDR is widely known as a treatment for trauma and PTSD, it can also be effective for a range of other concerns.
Common reasons people seek EMDR therapy include:
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Childhood experiences that continue to affect confidence or relationships
Anxiety and chronic worry
Workplace incidents and occupational stress
Bullying experiences
Grief and loss
Relationship trauma and attachment wounds
Medical procedures or health-related trauma
Public speaking fears and performance anxiety
Perfectionism and harsh self-criticism
Low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy
Distressing memories that feel difficult to let go of
Many clients are surprised to discover that experiences they have long dismissed as "not serious enough" can still have a significant impact on how they feel and function today.
How I Work With EMDR
EMDR is not simply a technique. Effective EMDR therapy involves careful assessment, preparation, pacing and collaboration.
Before processing begins, we spend time understanding your goals, building resources, and ensuring you feel safe and supported throughout the process.
Together, we might:
Identify the experiences contributing to current difficulties
Explore the beliefs you developed about yourself as a result of those experiences
Build practical grounding and emotional regulation skills
Develop confidence in managing distress between sessions
Process memories that continue to trigger emotional reactions
Strengthen more adaptive beliefs and ways of responding
My broader therapeutic approach draws on EMDR, Schema Therapy, AEDP and other experiential approaches. This allows therapy to remain flexible and responsive to your needs.
Why Work With an Accredited EMDR Practitioner?
EMDR is becoming increasingly well known, but not all therapists have the same level of training or experience.
I became an EMDRAA Accredited Practitioner in May 2023.
Accreditation recognises clinicians who have completed approved EMDR training, undertaken advanced consultation and demonstrated substantial clinical experience delivering EMDR therapy safely and effectively.
To achieve accreditation, practitioners must:
Complete EMDRAA-approved EMDR training
Undertake ongoing consultation with an Accredited Consultant
Demonstrate extensive clinical experience using EMDR with clients
Maintain professional membership and continuing professional development
For clients, accreditation provides reassurance that EMDR is not simply an approach I have attended a workshop on. It is a therapy modality I use regularly and have developed significant experience delivering.
I regularly provide EMDR therapy for professionals, university students, first responders, police personnel, defence members, veterans and adults working through anxiety, trauma, self-esteem difficulties and relationship challenges.
What Does EMDR Feel Like?
One of the most common questions I hear is:
"Will I have to talk about everything that happened?"
The answer is usually no.
While EMDR involves bringing aspects of difficult experiences to mind, clients are not required to describe every detail. Many people find this makes EMDR feel less overwhelming than they expected.
Everyone experiences EMDR differently. Some people notice shifts in emotions, body sensations or perspectives during processing. Others experience gradual changes between sessions, such as feeling calmer, less reactive, more confident or less emotionally affected by memories that previously felt upsetting.
The goal is not to erase memories.
The goal is to reduce their emotional intensity and help your brain integrate them in a healthier way.
Longer EMDR Sessions Available
For some clients, longer sessions can be particularly beneficial.
I offer both standard 50-minute appointments and extended 1 hour 40 minute EMDR sessions.
Longer sessions provide additional time for preparation, processing and integration without feeling rushed. Many clients find this format especially helpful when working with trauma, multiple distressing experiences or complex presentations.
Together, we can discuss which format is likely to be most helpful for your goals and circumstances.
What to Expect From Our Work Together
Before your first session
You're welcome to arrange a free 10–15 minute enquiry call to ask questions and get a sense of whether we're a good fit.
If we decide to proceed, you'll be invited to complete an online intake form and gain access to the online booking system.
In the first few sessions
We'll:
Clarify your goals
Explore current difficulties and relevant life experiences
Develop a shared understanding of what may be contributing to your distress
Identify strengths, resources and existing coping strategies
Create a plan that feels manageable and appropriate for you
EMDR processing usually begins only when both of us feel you have sufficient preparation and support in place.
Ongoing therapy
Some clients seek support around a specific experience and notice meaningful improvements within a relatively short period of time. Others choose longer-term work involving trauma, attachment patterns, anxiety, perfectionism or relationship difficulties.
Therapy is collaborative and paced according to your needs.
EMDR Therapy Brisbane
Connect the Dots Psychology is located at:
Level 6, Silverton Place
101 Wickham Terrace
Spring Hill QLD 4000
This convenient Spring Hill location is close to Brisbane CBD and offers a calm, professional environment for therapy.
Who I Work Best With
I work primarily with adults aged 18+ including:
Professionals experiencing stress, burnout or anxiety
University students
Police and first responders
Defence personnel and veterans
Adults recovering from childhood trauma
People struggling with perfectionism and self-criticism
Those experiencing relationship difficulties or attachment concerns
Individuals seeking deeper emotional healing rather than short-term symptom management
If you're unsure whether EMDR is right for your situation, we can explore that together during an enquiry call or initial appointment.
Fees, Medicare and Practicalities
Standard 50-minute appointments are $319, with a Medicare rebate of $149.05 available when you have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral. This means an out of pocket cost to you of $169.95.
Extended 1 hour 40 minute EMDR sessions are $638, with the same Medicare rebate applying.
Following your appointment, Medicare claims can be processed on your behalf, with rebates typically reaching your nominated account within 48 hours.
You do not need a referral to attend privately.
FAQs – EMDR Therapy Brisbane
Is EMDR only for PTSD?
No. While EMDR is a well-established treatment for PTSD, it can also be helpful for anxiety, childhood experiences, grief, workplace incidents, self-esteem difficulties, perfectionism and relationship trauma.
How do I know if EMDR is right for me?
EMDR may be worth considering if difficult experiences continue to affect how you think, feel or respond today. We can discuss whether EMDR is appropriate during your first appointment.
Do I need to talk about every detail of what happened?
Usually not. EMDR does not require detailed retelling of traumatic experiences. Many clients find this makes the process feel more manageable.
How many sessions will I need?
This varies depending on your goals, history and circumstances. Some people seek support around a single experience, while others choose longer-term work addressing multiple life experiences and patterns.
Can EMDR be done via Telehealth?
EMDR can often be delivered effectively via Telehealth, depending on your circumstances and clinical suitability. However, I prefer to do EMDR in person as I am present to provide support and the experience is more manageable and helpful.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed or affected by experiences that seem difficult to move beyond, EMDR therapy may help. To explore whether we're a good fit, call 0455 298 274 or book online to arrange a free 10–15 minute enquiry call with Connect the Dots Psychology.
You can find more information on EMDR in my blog posts:
Finding An EMDR Therapist in Brisbane
Finding Effective EMDR Support