
EMDR Therapists in Canada
A structured, evidence-based therapy that helps people process distressing memories and reduce the emotional intensity of past experiences, widely used for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and related conditions.
What to look for in an EMDR therapist on Purple Lotus
- Formal EMDR training through an EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)-approved program
- Experience with your specific concern, such as single-incident trauma, complex trauma, anxiety, or grief
- Clear approach to preparation and stabilization before memory processing
- Willingness to go at your pace and adapt the protocol to your needs
9 therapists for EMDR in Canada
Browse 9 therapists specializing in EMDR. Find the right counsellor or psychotherapist for your needs.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy approach used to help people process memories and experiences that continue to cause distress. Unlike talk therapy, which focuses primarily on discussing events, EMDR works with how memories are stored in the brain. Distressing experiences can become stuck in a way that keeps them feeling vivid and emotionally charged, even long after the events themselves have passed. EMDR aims to help the brain complete its natural processing of those memories so they feel less intense and less disruptive.
Sessions typically involve briefly recalling elements of a distressing experience while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, most commonly guided eye movements but sometimes tapping or auditory tones. This combination appears to reduce the emotional charge attached to the memory without requiring you to talk through it in detail. Many people seek EMDR when past experiences still show up as anxiety, triggers, or reactions that feel hard to explain or shift through insight alone.
EMDR was developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s and has since become one of the most extensively researched trauma treatments available. It is recognized as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by organizations including the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and Health Canada. Research also supports its use for anxiety, phobias, complicated grief, and other conditions where distressing memories play a central role.
Who this approach may help
Trauma and PTSD
People who have experienced traumatic events, such as accidents, abuse, violence, or sudden loss, and who find that memories of those events continue to feel vivid, intrusive, or emotionally overwhelming.
Anxiety tied to specific memories or triggers
People whose anxiety is linked to past experiences, where certain situations, images, or sensations consistently trigger strong fear or distress responses that feel disproportionate.
Phobias
People with intense, persistent fears that interfere with daily life, particularly when the fear is connected to a specific past experience or a series of difficult early memories.
Complicated grief
People who feel stuck in grief after loss, especially when memories of the death or the circumstances surrounding it remain emotionally raw or difficult to integrate.
Childhood adversity
People processing neglect, emotional abuse, or repeated difficult experiences in childhood that continue to affect their sense of self, relationships, or emotional regulation as adults.
What happens in a session?
- 1
History and treatment planning
The therapist gathers a detailed picture of your history, the experiences contributing to your current distress, and what you want to address. Together you identify which memories or concerns to target and in what order.
- 2
Preparation and stabilization
Before any memory processing begins, the therapist teaches coping tools and grounding techniques. This phase ensures you can manage what comes up between sessions and feel as safe as possible during the work.
- 3
Assessment
You identify the specific image, thought, body sensation, and belief connected to the target memory. The therapist also checks in on the current level of distress to track progress.
- 4
Desensitization with bilateral stimulation
You hold the memory in mind while following the therapist's guided eye movements or another form of bilateral stimulation. Processing continues in sets until the memory's emotional intensity reduces.
- 5
Installation and body scan
A more positive belief is strengthened and linked to the memory. You then scan your body for any remaining tension or discomfort, which may be addressed in further processing.
- 6
Closure and review
Each session ends with a return to a stable state, even if processing is not complete. At the next session, the therapist checks what has shifted and continues from there.
How it compares to other approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns through structured exercises and discussion. EMDR works more directly with memory and does not require detailed verbal processing of events. Both are evidence-based for trauma and anxiety, and some therapists draw on both.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Prolonged Exposure involves repeatedly recounting traumatic memories in detail to reduce their emotional charge over time. EMDR also reduces distress around memories but typically involves less verbal retelling and uses bilateral stimulation as a core component of processing.
Somatic Therapy
Somatic approaches focus on body sensations, movement, and nervous system regulation. EMDR includes body awareness but is more memory-focused and protocol-driven. Some therapists integrate somatic and EMDR approaches.
Emotion Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET)
EAET works through direct verbal expression of suppressed emotions, particularly where those emotions connect to physical symptoms. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to reprocess specific memories rather than encouraging emotional expression through conversation.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy explores how past relationships and unconscious patterns shape current difficulties, typically over a longer course of treatment. EMDR is more structured and protocol-based, focused on processing specific memories rather than uncovering underlying patterns through open-ended exploration.
How to choose an EMDR therapist
Questions to ask before booking:
- 1
Ask about their EMDR training and certification. Look for therapists who have completed formal EMDR training through an EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)-approved program, rather than those who have only attended a brief workshop.
- 2
Ask how they approach the preparation phase. A well-trained EMDR therapist will not rush into memory processing. They should spend time establishing coping tools and assessing whether you are ready before beginning reprocessing work.
- 3
Ask about their experience with your specific concern. EMDR has been used for many different presentations, from single-incident trauma to complex developmental trauma and anxiety. A therapist with experience relevant to your situation will be better placed to tailor the approach.
- 4
Ask how they handle sessions where distressing material comes up and is not fully resolved within the appointment. Good EMDR therapists have a clear approach to closing incomplete sessions so you leave in a stable state.
- 5
Ask whether they integrate EMDR with other approaches. Some therapists use EMDR as one tool alongside CBT, somatic work, or other modalities. If that applies to them, ask how they decide which approach to use and when.
- 6
If you have a complex trauma history or significant dissociation, ask specifically whether they have training in working with those presentations, as standard EMDR protocols may need to be modified.
When this may not be the right fit
EMDR involves briefly engaging with distressing memories, which can be activating. If you are in acute crisis, experiencing active psychosis, or have a dissociative disorder that has not been assessed, a therapist may recommend stabilization work before beginning EMDR processing.
If you are dealing with significant life instability, such as a current unsafe living situation or an ongoing crisis, building safety and coping resources may need to come first. EMDR tends to work best when your day-to-day life is stable enough to support the processing between sessions.
If you strongly prefer a talking-based approach and find it difficult to engage with the bilateral stimulation component, you may find other evidence-based trauma approaches more accessible, at least as a starting point.
EMDR is a therapy for psychological distress, not a medical intervention. If you are experiencing physical symptoms alongside your emotional concerns, therapy works best alongside appropriate medical care rather than as a substitute for it.
Related specialties
Frequently asked questions
What is EMDR therapy used for?
EMDR is most widely used for trauma and PTSD, but it is also used for anxiety, phobias, panic, complicated grief, and distressing memories that continue to affect daily functioning. It targets the emotional charge attached to specific memories rather than working primarily through discussion or thought-change exercises.
How does EMDR actually work?
EMDR uses guided recall of distressing memories combined with bilateral stimulation, typically eye movements. This process appears to help the brain reprocess stuck memories so they feel less emotionally intense. The exact mechanism is still studied, but the clinical evidence for its effectiveness is well established.
Is EMDR evidence-based?
Yes. EMDR is recognized as an effective treatment for PTSD by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and other major health bodies. It has a substantial body of randomized controlled trial evidence supporting its use for trauma and related conditions.
Do I have to describe what happened in detail during EMDR?
No. One of the features of EMDR is that you do not need to verbally recount traumatic events in full. You hold the memory in mind internally while engaging with bilateral stimulation. Some people find this preferable to therapies that involve detailed verbal retelling.
How many EMDR sessions does it take?
It depends on what you are addressing. A single, clearly defined traumatic incident may require fewer sessions than a longer history of complex or developmental trauma. Your therapist will give you a clearer estimate once they understand your history, but treatment is always paced to what you can manage.
Can EMDR be done online?
Yes. EMDR can be adapted for online delivery. Therapists use screen-based tools for eye movements or alternative bilateral stimulation methods that work over video. Many people complete full courses of EMDR online with good outcomes. Check each therapist profile for available session formats.
Looking for an EMDR therapist?
Browse therapists in Canada who specialize in emdr. Filter by location, fee, and session format to find the right fit.