Support for Memories That Still Affect You
If painful memories keep resurfacing, you do not have to carry them alone. Simply Be Counselling offers EMDR therapy in person in Melfort, Saskatchewan, and by secure video for clients across the province, including Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert.
Many people come to us after months or years of knowing a memory is in the past while their body still reacts as if it is happening now. EMDR counselling works with that gap. You move at a pace that feels manageable, and you stay in control of what you share.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful, evidence-based psychotherapy that helps you process and overcome distressing memories and emotions.
EMDR can provide rapid relief by:
- Reducing or eliminating emotional distress related to past events
- Alleviating anxiety, panic, grief and phobias
- Improving self-esteem and confidence
EMDR can be effective both in person or over video.
How EMDR Helps the Brain Process Traumatic Memories
EMDR is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. This can be done without talking in great detail about the distressing memory, EMDR allows the brain to resume its natural healing process.
The human brain has a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events which involves communication between the amygdala, the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. When the brain gets stuck EMDR can help get that healing process moving again.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms.
Conditions EMDR Therapy Can Help With
EMDR therapy was first developed for post-traumatic stress. Today it is also used for many experiences that stay stuck in the nervous system long after the event is over. These are the concerns people in Melfort and across Saskatchewan most often bring to EMDR.
PTSD and Trauma
Car accidents, assaults, medical emergencies, sudden loss or years of chronic stress can leave behind flashbacks, nightmares and a constant sense of threat. EMDR is a recommended treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Learn more about our trauma-informed approach or trauma treatment in Melfort.
Childhood and Developmental Trauma
Difficult early experiences can shape how you see yourself and relate to others long after childhood ends. EMDR targets the memories behind beliefs such as "I am not safe" or "it was my fault" so they lose their grip.
Anxiety, Panic and Phobias
When anxiety traces back to a specific event, a humiliating moment or a frightening health scare, EMDR can reduce the emotional charge those memories carry. It pairs well with anxiety counselling in Melfort and social anxiety therapy.
Grief and Loss
Grief can stall when a loss was sudden or the circumstances were traumatic. EMDR can soften intrusive images while you keep the memories you want to hold onto. See our grief counselling page for more support.
Low Self-Esteem and Negative Self-Beliefs
Painful experiences often leave behind beliefs like "I am not good enough." EMDR works on both the memory and the belief, helping a more balanced view start to feel true. Self-esteem counselling can complement this work.
Not sure whether EMDR therapy fits your situation? Your counsellor will talk it through with you in your first session.
Introduction to EMDR
Experiencing EMDR
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy
Early sessions focus on your history and on learning grounding skills. Once you are ready, you briefly bring a memory to mind while following guided bilateral stimulation, then pause to notice what comes up. Every session ends with steps to help you feel settled before you leave.
It depends on what you are working through. A single distressing event often takes fewer sessions than long-standing or complex trauma. We check in on your progress regularly, and you set the pace.
EMDR is generally well tolerated when guided by a trained counsellor at a steady pace. Some people feel tired or emotional, or notice vivid dreams, for a day or two after a session. Before starting, we review your history and health so we can tell you whether now is the right time.
Yes. The World Health Organization recommends EMDR as a treatment for PTSD, and decades of research support its use for trauma.
Yes. We offer EMDR therapy by secure video to clients across Saskatchewan. Bilateral stimulation is guided on screen or through self-tapping. You will need a private, quiet space and a stable internet connection, and we will help you set up before your first session.
Coverage depends on your extended health plan. Please check your benefits before booking, and see our rates and insurance page for details.
Ready to Start EMDR Therapy in Melfort?
You do not have to relive everything to start feeling lighter. Book an EMDR therapy session in Melfort or by secure video anywhere in Saskatchewan, or call 1-306-921-3369 if you would like to ask a question first.
