Initial counselling sessions are a chance to get to know you - as a person, the challenges that are bringing us together as well as your goals for counselling in more detail. I like to think of first sessions as wading into the shallow end of a pool, where you get to decide to what depth you go into. We will also review consent and counselling processes and answer any questions you might have.

This is a very individual question, depending on each person and their needs and goals for counselling. Most people will find they benefit and see improvement in their lives right away after starting counselling, even after just one session. Some people find they are feeling better after a few sessions, and may decide to pause at that time - they may come back in the future when they want to check in, or if new challenges have come up in their lives. Other people might find they benefit from regular and ongoing counselling sessions for a longer period of time. This may be the case for those clients engaging in trauma processing work such as EMDR. 

In order to make effective and lasting changes, it is recommended to attend therapy on a regular and consistent basis. Weekly or bi-weekly sessions are suggested at first, depending on your needs and timeline. Once you are feeling better or treatment is concluded, your sessions should be decreased to help establish these changes in your daily life, while still checking in with your therapist on a less frequent basis for support..

• • When a disturbing event occurs, it can get locked in the brain with the original picture, sounds, thoughts, feelings and body sensations. EMDR therapy, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a process that includes eye movements, bilateral sounds or tapping, which helps to stimulate the information and allow the brain to reprocess the experience so that it is not upsetting anymore. While you are processing the memory, you may experience intense emotions.

  • We first start the process by working on ways to self-soothe so you can end the sessions feeling calm and safe. You will always be in control of the process. When thinking of the old memories, you will be asked to simply notice the experience. Some find the metaphor of riding in a car and looking out the window to be helpful - you simply notice feelings, thoughts or body sensations, like passing scenery

  • For more detailed information, please visit: https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/