SEASONS OF LIFE COUNSELLING
EMDR Therapy Australia
Trauma-Informed Counselling to help process distressing memories
Are past experiences still affecting your life?
Many People seek EMDR therapy because they feel:
Overwhelmed by memories from the past
Anxious or triggered by certain situations
Stuck in patterns that repeat again and again
Emotionally exhausted from trying to manage it alone
Even when you understand what happened, your nervous system may still respond as though the experience is happening now.
EMDR therapy helps the brain process these experiences so they no longer hold the same emotional charge.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing.
It is a structured psychotherapy approach used to help people process distressing memories and experiences.
When overwhelming events occur, the brain’s natural processing system can become disrupted. As a result, the memory may remain “unprocessed”, continuing to trigger emotional distress, physical reactions or negative beliefs.
EMDR supports the brain to reprocess these memories using bilateral stimulation, which may include eye movements or tapping.
Over time this helps reduce the emotional intensity of the memory and allows more adaptive perspectives to develop.
What EMDR Therapy Can Support
EMDR therapy is commonly used in trauma counselling but can support many situations where past experiences continue to influence present life.
It may help people experiencing:
Trauma Responses
Distressing Memories
Trauma Anxiety
Intrusive Memories
Emotional Triggers
Negative Beliefs
Unresolved Grief
Emotional Overwhelm
EMDR focuses on helping the brain process the memory so that it becomes less overwhelming.
The EMDR Therapy Process
EMDR therapy is a structured process that prioritises safety and emotional readiness.
STEP 01
Assessment and Understanding
We explore your experiences, concerns and therapy goals to identify memories contributing to present distress.
STEP 02
Preparation and Stabilisation
We develop grounding and emotional regulation strategies to help you feel ready before beginning memory processing.
STEP 03
Memory Processing and Reprocessing
Using bilateral stimulation, the brain processes the memory in a new way so it feels less intense and easier to manage.
STEP 04
Integration and Future Focus
New perspectives and beliefs develop, allowing the experience to feel more distant and manageable.
EMDR Therapy at Seasons of Life Counselling
My work as a counsellor is grounded in supporting people through the many seasons of life.
EMDR therapy is offered within a compassionate, professional and client-centred counselling approach, ensuring that the work is always guided by your needs and readiness.
My aim is to provide a supportive space where you feel heard, respected and empowered as we work together toward healing and growth.
ONLINE EMDR COUNSELLING
All EMDR sessions are offered through secure online counselling, allowing you to access trauma-informed support from wherever you are in Australia.
Online EMDR therapy provides the opportunity to work through distressing memories and past experiences in a familiar and comfortable environment. Many people find that being in their own space can help them feel more relaxed and able to focus on the therapeutic process.
With the right preparation and guidance, EMDR counselling can be delivered effectively through online sessions, using adapted techniques that support the same structured EMDR process used in face-to-face therapy.
Online counselling also allows people across Australia to access specialised trauma support, even if they live in regional or remote areas where EMDR therapists may not be readily available.
Online EMDR counselling offers:
quick access to support without long waiting times
greater privacy and comfort in your own environment
flexible appointment options that fit around work and family commitments
no travel time or commuting to appointments
access to specialised trauma therapy from anywhere in Australia
Many clients find that online counselling makes it easier to prioritise their wellbeing while still managing the demands of everyday life.
If you are considering online EMDR therapy, we can discuss how the process works and whether this approach may be suitable for your situation.
Hi I’m Penny
EDMR therapist, full member emdraa
I understand how challenging it can be to seek support for life’s difficulties because I have been on that journey myself. With the guidance of a counsellor, I found strategies and support that helped me navigate difficult experiences and make meaningful changes — something that continues to shape the way I work with clients today.
I am an ACA Level 4 registered counsellor, PACFA Clinical member, and qualified EMDR therapist, as well as a full member of the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA). Through Seasons of Life Counselling, I provide compassionate counselling and trauma-informed support to individuals across Australia, particularly those living in rural and regional areas.
EMDR COUNSELLING FAQS
Understanding EMDR Therapy
WHAT IS EMDR THERAPY?
Answer
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a structured psychotherapy approach designed to help people process distressing memories and experiences that continue to affect them in the present.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or tapping, while recalling aspects of a memory. This process helps the brain reprocess the experience so it becomes less emotionally overwhelming and easier to integrate.
HOW DOES EMDR THERAPY WORK?
Answer
When distressing or traumatic experiences occur, the brain’s natural processing system can sometimes become disrupted. Instead of being stored as a normal memory, the experience can remain “stuck”, continuing to trigger emotional distress, anxiety or negative beliefs.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess these experiences through a structured therapeutic process that supports the integration of the memory in a healthier way.
Over time, the emotional intensity connected to the memory often reduces and new, more adaptive perspectives can develop.
IS EMDR RECOGNISED AS AN EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT?
Answer
Yes. EMDR therapy is widely recognised internationally as an effective trauma-focused therapy and is used by many mental health professionals around the world.
It is commonly used in trauma counselling and is supported by a growing body of research.
WHAT TYPES OF ISSUES CAN EMDR HELP WITH?
Answer
EMDR therapy is commonly used in trauma therapy, but it may also help with other challenges where past experiences continue to influence current wellbeing.
People may seek EMDR therapy for support with:
- distressing memories or past traumatic experiences
- trauma and post-traumatic stress responses
- anxiety linked to past events
- intrusive memories or flashbacks
- emotional triggers
- negative beliefs about themselves
- unresolved grief or distressing life experiences
EMDR Therapy Process
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FIRST EMDR SESSIONS?
Answer
The first session focuses on getting to know you and understanding what has brought you to counselling.
We will explore your goals, discuss your experiences and talk about how EMDR therapy works. This helps determine whether EMDR may be suitable and ensures you feel informed and comfortable with the process.
WHAT DOES EMDR FEEL LIKE DURING A SESSION?
Answer
People experience EMDR in different ways.
During processing, some people notice thoughts, emotions or body sensations shifting as the brain works through the memory. Others describe the experience as feeling like their mind is gradually making sense of something that previously felt overwhelming.
Your therapist will guide you through the process and ensure the work remains manageable and supportive.
HOW MANY EMDR SESSIONS WILL I NEED?
Answer
The number of sessions varies depending on your experiences, goals and current circumstances.
Some people notice changes relatively quickly, while others benefit from a longer therapeutic process. EMDR is often used as part of a broader counselling journey rather than a single intervention.
During your initial sessions we will explore what approach may be most helpful for you.
CAN EMDR THERAPY BE DONE ONLINE?
Answer
Yes. EMDR therapy can be delivered effectively through secure online counselling sessions.
Online EMDR therapy allows people across Australia to access support from the comfort of their own home. With appropriate guidance and preparation, the therapeutic process can be adapted for online delivery.
Safety and Readiness for EMDR
IS EMDR THERAPY SAFE?
Answer
EMDR therapy is a structured and carefully paced approach. Preparation and stabilisation are important parts of the process to ensure that clients feel supported and ready before any trauma processing takes place.
Therapy always progresses at a pace that feels manageable, and you remain in control throughout the process.
IS EMDR THERAPY RIGHT FOR EVERYONE?
Answer
EMDR can be a helpful approach for many people, but it is not always the right starting point for everyone.
In some situations, therapy may initially focus on building emotional regulation skills, stabilisation strategies and a sense of safety before beginning EMDR processing.
Part of our work together is assessing whether EMDR is appropriate for your needs.
CAN EMDR MAKE THINGS WORSE?
Answer
It is common to wonder whether working with distressing memories might feel overwhelming.
EMDR therapy is designed to be carefully paced and guided, with preparation and stabilisation forming an important part of the process. Before any memory processing begins, we focus on building strategies that help you feel grounded and supported.
At times emotions may temporarily surface as memories are processed, however the aim of EMDR is to reduce the intensity of distress rather than increase it. The process always moves at a pace that feels manageable for you.
WILL I LOSE CONTROL DURING EMDR THERAPY?
Answer
No. EMDR is a collaborative process and you remain aware, present and in control throughout the session.
You are able to pause the process at any time, and the work always happens within a supportive and structured therapeutic environment.
Your comfort and sense of safety are central to the process, and therapy progresses in a way that respects your readiness and boundaries.
Common Concerns About EMDR
DO I HAVE TO TALK ABOUT TRAUMATIC EVENT IN DETAIL?
Answer
Not necessarily.
While we may explore aspects of the experience, EMDR does not require you to repeatedly describe traumatic events in detail. The focus of EMDR is on how the memory is stored and processed in the brain, rather than retelling the entire story.
Your comfort and emotional safety are always prioritised.
HOW DO I KNOW IF EMDR MIGHT HELP ME?
Answer
If distressing memories or past experiences continue to affect your emotions, reactions or sense of wellbeing, it may be helpful to explore whether EMDR therapy could support your healing.
An initial counselling session can help determine whether this approach may be suitable for your situation.
DO I NEED TO REMEMBER EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED FOR EMDR TO WORK?
Answer
No. Many people worry that they must recall every detail of a difficult experience in order for therapy to help.
EMDR does not require complete or detailed memories. The work often focuses on the emotions, body sensations, or beliefs connected to an experience, rather than the exact details of what occurred.
Even when memories feel unclear or fragmented, EMDR can still support the brain in processing the experience in a healthier way.
HOW DO I GET STARTED WITH EMDR THERAPY?
Answer
If you are considering EMDR therapy, the first step is simply booking an initial counselling session.
This session provides an opportunity to talk about what has been happening for you, explore your goals for therapy, and discuss whether EMDR may be an appropriate approach for your situation.
From there we can develop a plan that supports your wellbeing and therapeutic journey.
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