EMDR Therapists in Burnaby

Browse 2 therapists specializing in EMDR in Burnaby. Find the right counsellor or psychotherapist for your needs.

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.

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

2 therapists for EMDR in Burnaby

Browse 2 therapists specializing in EMDR in Burnaby. Find the right counsellor or psychotherapist for your needs.

Ashley Greensmyth

Ashley Greensmyth

The people who come to work with me are looking for a therapist who not gets it, but can also help them figure out how to move forward in life. I often hear things like, "I can't seem to stop worrying," "I feel overwhelmed," and "things seem fine on the outside, but really I'm just holding it together." If this resonates with you, you might benefit from counselling sessions with me. Working with me in therapy often feels like finally making sense of a long-unsolved puzzle—you begin to understand not only what you’re feeling, but why. Understanding how we view ourselves and the world on a deeper level can help with personal transformation. For example, some patterns that we have to undo in our own behaviour can come from secondhand experiences like ancestral trauma and relationship patterns. Gaining this level of self-awareness can create a comfortable space to challenge anxieties and your ideas about being a worthwhile person. Clients often come to therapy feeling anxious, overextended, or stuck in patterns that leave them feeling overwhelmed, empty, or exhausted, and they leave with a deeper sense of clarity, confidence, and self-worth. Through our work together, you’ll learn practical tools tailored to your real life, and shift any long-held beliefs keeping you stuck, so that you can begin to show up in your relationships with more ease and authenticity. My practice is gender, body, ability, sexuality, and race inclusive. I reside and provide services on the unceded ancestral territories of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking people and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh first nations peoples that was not surrendered. I offer direct billing to many insurance providers and I am registered with ICBC and FNHA. You belong.

Online
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Amber Lum

Amber Lum

I’m Amber (she/her); I am an Asian, settler, cisgender woman living and practicing on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. I welcome diverse clients of all cultures, genders, and sexual orientations. I appreciate that we all come with unique stories and histories, and I think it is important to recognize and celebrate how these shape the way that we experience the world. I feel honoured and privileged to walk alongside my resilient clients in their personal healing journeys. I am passionate about EMDR, art therapy, play therapy, and other trauma-informed practices because of their potential to support the transformation and healing of both ourselves and our communities. My role is to hold space for you to come as you are and for your experiences to be met with compassion, curiosity, and tenderness. I believe that we all have the capacity to heal and grow especially in relation to others. Together through our work, we can begin to undo the aloneness that often comes with having negative experiences. I have a deep compassion and respect for the experiences that my clients entrust in me and through a collaborative approach, I hope to honour your lived experiences. Together we will establish a direction in our work that feels supportive of your goals and values. I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, my Bachelor of Education, and my Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology at UBC. I have additional training in the areas of trauma, attachment theory, emotion-focused therapy, and narrative approaches. In addition to counselling, I have also worked as an elementary school teacher in Vancouver. I have a special appreciation for the unique challenges experienced by children, adolescents, and their families. I believe connection, non-judgement, and trust are vital to building a strong therapy relationship.I think every piece of ourselves is important and together we will work with, rather than against, your experiences and emotions. It is important to me that you feel both safe and empowered throughout this entire process. In my spare time you can find me curled up with my dog Yuki watching musicals and reading fantasy novels.

Hybrid
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Looking beyond Burnaby? Browse all EMDR therapists in Canada.

EMDR therapists in Burnaby — at a glance

accepting new clients
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offer online sessions
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offer sliding scale fees
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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.

How do I find an EMDR therapist in Burnaby?

Browse therapists in Burnaby who list EMDR as a specialty. Look for providers with formal EMDR training, relevant experience for your situation, and availability that works for your schedule. Many EMDR therapists in Burnaby also offer online sessions.

Is EMDR therapy covered by insurance in Burnaby?

Coverage depends on your extended health plan. EMDR sessions provided by a registered psychologist, psychotherapist, or social worker in Burnaby may be eligible for reimbursement. Check your policy for covered provider designations, session limits, and annual maximums.

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