EMDR THERAPY IN CALGARY
Move forward with freedom.
Difficult experiences can keep affecting how you think, feel, and respond long after they are over. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps your brain reprocess distressing memories so they feel like the past, not the present. Our Calgary EMDR therapists support teens and adults with trauma, anxiety, grief, and experiences that still feel unresolved.
A Psychologist’s Definition
EMDR Therapy, Defined
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach designed to help people process and heal from traumatic, distressing, or overwhelming life experiences. When difficult experiences are not fully processed, they can continue to affect emotions, beliefs, relationships, and daily functioning long after the event has passed. EMDR helps the brain reprocess these experiences in a way that reduces their emotional intensity and allows new, more adaptive perspectives to develop. While EMDR is widely known for treating trauma and PTSD, it can also be effective for anxiety, panic, phobias, grief, negative self-beliefs, childhood experiences, and other challenges linked to distressing memories. EMDR does not erase memories or force people to relive traumatic experiences. Instead, it helps individuals process them safely so they no longer feel stuck in the past. As healing occurs, many people experience greater emotional freedom, resilience, self-confidence, and a renewed sense of control in their lives.
Understanding EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a specialized therapy approach that helps the brain process and heal from traumatic, distressing, or overwhelming life experiences. While difficult experiences may be over, their emotional impact can continue affecting thoughts, emotions, relationships, self-beliefs, and daily life.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess these experiences in a way that reduces emotional distress and allows healing to occur. Rather than remaining stuck in past experiences, many people find they are able to move forward with greater emotional freedom, resilience, and a renewed sense of safety in themselves and the world around them.
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy commonly used for trauma, PTSD, and distressing life experiences.
Helps the brain process experiences that may feel emotionally unresolved or overwhelming.
Can support healing from anxiety, panic, grief, phobias, and negative self-beliefs linked to past experiences.
Does not erase memories but helps reduce the emotional intensity connected to them.
Can help individuals feel less stuck in the past and more connected to the present.
Many people experience greater emotional freedom, resilience, and self-trust through EMDR therapy.
HOW EMDR THERAPY WORKS
EMDR, Step by Step
When something overwhelming happens, the brain sometimes stores the memory in a way that keeps it emotionally charged, so reminders trigger reactions as if the danger is still happening. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or tones, to help the brain reprocess those memories. The memory remains, but the intensity fades. As many clients put it: “I still remember what happened, but it doesn’t control me anymore.”
History & Planning
Understanding your story, current challenges, and goals, and choosing what to work on.
Preparation
Learning grounding and self-regulation skills so you feel steady before any processing begins.
Assessment
Identifying a target memory, the image, belief, and body sensations connected to it.
Desensitization
Bilateral stimulation while you briefly hold the memory in mind, until its intensity reduces.
Installation
Strengthening a positive belief, such as shifting from “I’m not safe” to “I can handle this now.”
Body Scan
Noticing and clearing any remaining tension or sensations connected to the memory.
Closure
Ending each session with grounding so you leave feeling calm and supported.
Re-evaluation
Checking progress at the start of the next session and deciding what comes next.
Your First EMDR Session
Your first session is not about reprocessing. It is a conversation about what brings you in, what you hope will change, and how EMDR works. Early sessions focus on building safety and coping skills, and processing only begins when you feel ready.
What EMDR Is Not
EMDR is not hypnosis, and it does not erase memories. You stay awake, aware, and in control the whole time, and you do not need to describe every detail of what happened. It is a structured, evidence-based approach that moves at your pace.
Who EMDR Can Help
EMDR was originally developed for PTSD and is now used for a much wider range of concerns, including anxiety, panic, phobias, grief, medical trauma, relationship betrayal, workplace stress, low self-worth, and childhood experiences that still shape the present. For teens, it can help with bullying, family changes, and rebuilding confidence. For adults, it often helps release long-standing patterns. If you are looking for broader support, see our trauma and PTSD therapy.
EMDR at NU Psychology is offered by Jessica Dawson, Registered Psychologist, with EMDR-informed care from Allison Massé, Registered Provisional Psychologist.
What EMDR Therapy Can Support
Trauma &
PTSD
Supporting the brain in processing traumatic experiences so they feel less overwhelming in the present.
Distressing
Memories
Helping reduce the emotional intensity of memories that still feel painful, vivid, or difficult to move past.
Anxiety &
Panic
Addressing fear responses that may be connected to past experiences, triggers, or unresolved stress.
Negative
Self-Beliefs
Working through beliefs like “I’m not safe,” “I’m not enough,” or “It was my fault” that can linger after distressing events.
Emotional
Triggers
Helping you respond to reminders, situations, or body sensations with more calm, clarity, and control.
You do not have to stay stuck in the past. Healing can move forward.
EMDR Therapy Often Connects With
How NU Psychology Approaches EMDR Therapy
EMDR is a structured and evidence-based approach designed to help people process distressing experiences and reduce the impact they continue to have on daily life. Our psychologists move at a pace that feels safe, supportive, and appropriate for your unique needs and goals.
Identify the Focus
Together, we identify the memories, experiences, triggers, or beliefs that continue to affect your present-day life.
Build Stability & Resources
Before processing begins, we develop coping skills and strategies to help you feel grounded, safe, and supported.
Reprocess Distressing Experiences
Using EMDR techniques, the brain is supported in processing memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity.
Strengthen Adaptive Beliefs
As healing occurs, negative beliefs can begin to shift toward more balanced and empowering perspectives.
Move Forward with Greater Freedom
The goal is not to erase the past, but to help it hold less power so you can engage more fully in the present.
Therapists Who Support EMDR Therapy
Our team includes psychologists who provide EMDR therapy and trauma-informed support for teens and adults navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, grief, emotional regulation, and related mental health concerns.
MEET THE NU TEAM
Jessica Dawson
Registered Psychologist
Trauma • EMDR • Anxiety
Accepting New Clients
VIEW PROFILE →
Kelly Tenove
Registered Psychologist
Trauma • EMDR • Anxiety
Accepting New Clients
VIEW PROFILE →
Allison Massé
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Trauma • EMDR • Anxiety
Booking Current Clients Only
VIEW PROFILE →Recommended Reads
Insights, tools, and stories to support your mental health, relationships, emotional wellbeing, and personal growth. Explore articles on anxiety, ADHD, burnout, therapy, stress, self-worth, and navigating life’s challenges with more clarity and support.
VIEW OUR BLOG
Trauma & Emotions
Emotional Numbness and Disconnection
READ ARTICLE →
Mind & Body
How Stress and Anxiety Affect Your Body
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Starting Therapy
What To Expect In Your First Therapy Session
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Trauma Responses
Fight or Flight: Why Some Adults Live In A Constant State Of Alert
READ ARTICLE →Our Locations
NU Psychology offers in-person therapy across two Calgary locations — Bridgeland and Killarney. Whether you are in the inner east or the inner southwest, our psychologists provide warm, evidence-based care tailored to teens, adults, couples, and families.
Inner East Calgary
Bridgeland
Conveniently located in the heart of Bridgeland, our east-side clinic is easily accessible from downtown Calgary, Renfrew, Riverside, and surrounding neighbourhoods — with nearby LRT access and street parking.
Inner Southwest Calgary
Killarney
Our Killarney location serves families and individuals across the inner southwest, including Marda Loop, Rutland Park, Glenbrook, and Shaganappi — offering a calm, welcoming space close to where you live.
EMDR Therapy FAQs
How do I know if EMDR therapy is right for me?
EMDR may be helpful if past experiences continue to affect your emotions, relationships, self-confidence, or daily functioning. Many people seek EMDR for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, panic, grief, or experiences that still feel emotionally unresolved.
What happens in an EMDR session?
Early sessions focus on your history, goals, and grounding skills. During processing sessions, you briefly bring a memory to mind while your therapist guides bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, then you notice what comes up. Each session ends with grounding so you leave feeling settled.
Do I have to talk about every detail of my trauma during EMDR?
No. Unlike some therapies, EMDR does not require you to describe every detail of a traumatic experience. Your therapist will help you process memories in a way that feels safe, structured, and manageable.
Is EMDR like hypnosis?
No. During EMDR you stay fully awake, aware, and in control. You can pause at any time, and nothing happens without your consent. EMDR is a structured, evidence-based therapy, not hypnosis.
Is EMDR only used for PTSD?
No. While EMDR is widely known for treating PTSD, it is also used to support people experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, grief, low self-worth, performance anxiety, and distressing life experiences.
Is EMDR available for teens?
Yes. EMDR can help teens process experiences such as bullying, friendship conflict, family changes, or other distressing events, and rebuild confidence and coping skills. Learn more about teen therapy.
How long does EMDR therapy take?
The length of EMDR therapy varies depending on your goals, history, and the experiences being processed. Some concerns can improve relatively quickly, while more complex trauma may require a longer course of therapy.
Can EMDR help with childhood experiences that still affect me today?
Yes. Many adults seek EMDR to process childhood experiences that continue to influence relationships, emotional reactions, self-esteem, or feelings of safety in the present.
What is the difference between EMDR and traditional talk therapy?
Traditional talk therapy often focuses on insight, coping skills, and understanding experiences. EMDR also targets how distressing memories are stored in the brain, helping reduce their emotional intensity so they no longer feel as overwhelming.
