IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL THERAPY
EMDR Therapy for Trauma in Guelph | True North Psychotherapy
15+ years of clinical experience
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Team of Registered Social Workers & Psychotherapists
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In-person in Guelph and virtual across Ontario
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy for trauma and PTSD. It uses bilateral stimulation — guided eye movements, taps, or tones — to support the brain in processing and integrating memories that have felt stuck or overwhelming. The goal is to help these memories feel less distressing to carry, without needing to talk through every detail out loud.
Who EMDR Can Help
EMDR is often used to support people working through trauma, PTSD, complex trauma, childhood trauma, sexual trauma, accident-related trauma, grief, and anxiety rooted in past events. If certain memories still feel like they’re happening now rather than something that happened in the past, EMDR is designed specifically for that.
How EMDR Works
EMDR follows a structured, eight-phase process: history taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and re-evaluation. In practice, this means your therapist takes time upfront to understand your history and make sure you feel resourced and ready, before any processing work begins. Nothing is rushed — the structure exists to keep the process safe and predictable, session by session.
EMDR is available in-person at our Guelph offices, and virtually across Ontario using bilateral stimulation tools designed to work securely online.
OUR APPROACH
What you can expect when you work with us
Initial Contact
Reach out by phone, email, or our contact form to discuss your needs and schedule a consultation.
Consultation
We’ll talk through what you’re carrying and whether EMDR is the right starting point for you.
Intake Process
You’ll complete a brief intake form and review our treatment contract, covering policies, confidentiality, and what to expect.
Assessment
In your first few sessions, we’ll take time to understand your history and build a personalized EMDR treatment plan.
Therapy Sessions
Begin regular 50-minute sessions, moving through the EMDR process at a pace that feels manageable for you.
Ongoing Support
We continue to check in and adjust your plan as needed throughout your therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EMDR therapy and how does it work?
EMDR helps the brain reprocess distressing memories using bilateral stimulation, like guided eye movements or alternating taps or tones. Over the course of therapy, this is intended to reduce how overwhelming these memories feel day to day.
Is EMDR therapy effective for PTSD and complex trauma?
EMDR is a recognized, evidence-based approach for trauma and PTSD symptoms, including complex trauma. Your therapist will work with you to understand your specific history and build a plan suited to what you’re carrying.
Is EMDR therapy done virtually? How does it work online?
Yes. Virtual EMDR uses bilateral stimulation tools built for online sessions, such as guided audio tones or self-administered tapping techniques, so the process can be done securely from home.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
This depends on your history and what you’re working through. Some clients need preparation time before processing begins; your therapist will build and adjust your plan with you as you go.
Is EMDR therapy safe? What can I expect during a session?
EMDR is a structured, well-established approach, and your therapist will make sure you feel prepared before any processing work starts. You’re never asked to recount every detail of a traumatic memory out loud — the process is designed to be manageable and paced to you.
Ready to Start Processing What's Been Hard to Carry?
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