PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS TRAINED IN EMDR IN EDMONTON

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) in Edmonton

TRUSTED THERAPISTS SPECIALIZING IN EMDR IN EDMONTON

About Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in Edmonton

At Solace Psychology & Wellness, we believe in using the most effective therapeutic modalities for healing and recovery, which is why most of our Therapists in Edmonton and St. Albert have advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is the gold-standard treatment for healing from emotional distress related to past trauma (or PTSD symptomology), life-threatening experiences or difficult hardships. EMDR is an evidence-based treatment modality, backed by years of research.

When experiencing or witnessing trauma, your whole world can be shaken and things may never seem to go back to normal. You may become easily triggered by reminders of the event, have trouble sleeping, or are irritable and on edge a lot of the time. During the traumatic experience, your brain became flooded and did not file the memories away properly, so distressing emotions, body sensations, memories, and dreams can pop up easily today.

You need more than temporary coping skills to fully recover from these experiences. EMDR heals the core of your pain. In the initial sessions of EMDR therapy, you will learn and practice effective grounding and resourcing techniques, which will help you cope with reminders of the traumatic experience. With your Psychologist’s guidance, you will then work through the distressing material by bringing it to mind while you hold on to alternating hand buzzers, watch the EMDR light bar, or tap from left to right. Your brain does all the work as both hemispheres work together to make sense of and properly file away the traumatic memory.

Once the trauma is healed, you will still be able to remember the incident, but you will not have such a strong, overpowering emotional or physical response anymore. You won’t become easily triggered, your body won’t react as intensely, and you will be able to live a normal life again.

*Research shows that EMDR is much more rapid and effective than talk therapy and results in a significant reduction of trauma-related symptoms (Shapiro, 2014).

** Please note that EMDR Therapy is not hypnotherapy and is not related in any way to hypnotherapy.

What Can EMDR Therapy Help With?

EMDR therapy can be helpful for children, teens or adults who have experienced or witnessed trauma (distressing, life-threatening event). EMDR is the top approach for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and can also help reduce symptoms of anxiety, phobias, depression, grief and loss, addiction, and emotional dysregulation/anger. Whether your trauma is “big” or “small,” EMDR can help. If something from the past still feels like it’s affecting your present, it’s worth exploring. Connect with our therapy team in Edmonton or St. Albert to see if EMDR is a good fit for you.

Examples of traumatic experiences:

Motor vehicle accident
Neglect & abuse (verbal, emotional, mental, physical, sexual)
Life threatening work-related incident
Natural disaster
Chronic illness
Tragic death or loss
Major life changes & stressors (moving, divorce)
Violence
Acts of terrorism

What to Expect in EMDR Therapy Sessions at Solace

EMDR Therapy is comprised of 8 stages. Every session starts with building trust and emotional safety. We’ll first explore your history, emotional strengths, and current struggles. Then, when you’re ready, we’ll begin EMDR processing using bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or tones) while focusing on key memories or emotions. Think of it as giving your mind a second chance to file those memories in a way that makes sense, without the distress and emotional overwhelm.

You are fully awake and in control during sessions. Your EMDR Therapist gently guides you through a series of steps designed to access and reprocess painful memories, beliefs, or emotions in a safe and supportive environment.

You don’t need to talk about every detail of your trauma as your brain does the work with guidance from your therapist. Most people leave feeling lighter, clearer, and more in control over time.

Why Do Clients Love EMDR Therapy?

Our clients have had profound success with healing from their pain using EMDR therapy. Here are some of the reasons why people say EMDR therapy is life-changing.

Long-lasting healing at the core
Noticeable, effective results early on
You do not have to talk about the the traumatic events while processing them using the light bar, hand buzzers or tapping
Results in a much more positive way of viewing your life
Can decrease distress, overwhelm, anxiety, and even uncomfortable bodily sensations, tension or pain
Can result in feelings of relief, freedom, courage, gratitude, and lightness
Helps people become unstuck
It really works

How Quickly Does EMDR Therapy Work?

EMDR therapy accelerates healing as it allows for the processing of traumatic events in a safe and effective manner. When working with a skilled EMDR Therapist, you learn to adopt more balanced perspectives of the past and future, as well as more positive ways of viewing yourself.

Many people who undergo EMDR therapy report a reduction in distress in as little as one session of processing, however, it can take a few sessions to work through various traumatic events or attachment trauma. The goal is for your level of overwhelm and emotional pain to subside more and more each session. Each person’s story and healing journey is unique.

There are 8 stages of EMDR therapy and it is important to commit to all 8 steps to heal the root of your distress. Stages range from resourcing, to trauma processing, to positive installation and beyond. Each stage of EMDR can take more than one session, depending on the stage and the complexity of your experiences.

Why Choose EMDR Therapy at Solace Psychology & Wellness in Edmonton?

Healing from trauma requires more than just time. It takes the right therapy, the right therapist, and a safe, supportive environment. At Solace Psychology & Wellness, we’re proud to be one of Edmonton’s trusted providers of EMDR therapy for children, teens, and adults.

Highly Trained & Experienced Therapists
Our psychologists have advanced training in EMDR and are well-versed in a wide range of specialized protocols, from complex trauma and PTSD to anxiety, attachment wounds, and grief. Many of our clinicians are also active members of professional EMDR associations and consultation groups, allowing us to stay current with emerging research and techniques in the field.
Personalized Support Across All Ages
Whether you’re a parent seeking support for your child, a teen navigating overwhelming emotions, or an adult working through painful memories, we tailor EMDR therapy to fit your unique stage of life. Our team has extensive experience providing EMDR therapy to a variety of age groups, ensuring that each session is developmentally appropriate, engaging and clinically effective.
A Safe, Compassionate Space to Heal
We understand how vulnerable it can feel to begin trauma therapy. That’s why our clinic in Edmonton offers a warm, calm, and confidential space where you can move through your healing journey with skilled support at your own pace.
Trusted by the Edmonton Community
Solace Psychology & Wellness is known for our client-centered care, supportive and collaborative Client Services Team, evidence-based approaches, and deep respect for the healing process. We’ve become a trusted resource for individuals and families throughout the Edmonton area, including those referred by physicians, lawyers, teachers, case managers and healthcare professionals.

Why do Edmonton-Based Agencies Refer Clients to Us for EMDR Therapy?

Our clinic accept referrals from a variety of agencies throughout the Edmonton area, and across Alberta. Lawyers, physicians, teachers, principals, case managers, and rehabilitation specialists regularly refer individuals to our clinic for EMDR therapy because they know they’re sending them into skilled, compassionate, and capable hands.

Here’s why professionals in Edmonton and St. Albert choose us for EMDR therapy:

Trusted Multidisciplinary Team
Our diverse team of therapists and integrative health professionals brings together various specialties, clinical backgrounds, and EMDR training. This breadth of experience allows us to serve a wide range of individuals (including children, teens, and adults) with sensitivity to developmental stages, trauma complexity, and co-occurring concerns.
Collaborative, Client-Centered Care
Healing is rarely a solo effort. When needed (and with your consent), our therapists and Client Services Team are happy to collaborate with external professionals involved in your care, from medical doctors and lawyers to school staff, employers or caseworkers. Whether it’s ensuring continuity of care, providing clinical documentation, or coordinating treatment plans or funding for sessions, we work together to support you.
Support for Funding, Insurance & Resources
Many agencies refer to Solace Psychology & Wellness because they trust that our team will help clients navigate available supports. Whether you’re accessing therapy through insurance, community programs, private referrals, or government-funded services, we advocate for you – helping ensure you receive the coverage and resources you deserve.
Clinical Excellence & Ethical Treatment
Agencies know that clients referred to Solace are receiving ethical, research-supported treatment in a safe and caring environment.

When agencies refer to us, they’re not just referring to a therapist; they’re connecting clients with a community of support.

References:

Shapiro, F. (2014). The role of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in medicine: Addressing the psychological and physical symptoms stemming from adverse life experiences. The Permanente Journal, 18(1), 71–77. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/13-098

“Hold yourself back, or heal yourself back together. You decide.”

— Brittany Burgunder

Creative, Compassionate, and Developmentally Appropriate Care

EMDR Therapy for Children and Teens in Edmonton

At Solace Psychology & Wellness, we understand that trauma doesn’t only affect adults. Children and teens experience distressing events in ways that can deeply shape their emotions, behaviour, and development. That’s why our child and adolescent therapists are specially trained to deliver EMDR in age-appropriate, creative, and compassionate ways.

We offer EMDR therapy to children as young as five, as well as to preteens and teens, tailoring each session to their unique developmental stage, emotional world, and personality.

A Child-Friendly Approach to EMDR

EMDR with kids and teens is not just adult therapy made smaller. It requires a unique framework that honours their age, stage, and way of expressing themselves. Our therapists use playful, engaging techniques rooted in the work of leading EMDR child specialists like Ana Gomez, adapting protocols to be safe, expressive, and effective for younger minds.

Here’s what makes our child and teen EMDR sessions unique:

Therapeutic Play & Props:
Children naturally process through play. Our EMDR-trained therapists may incorporate puppets, dolls, drawing, storytelling, or miniature figurines to help externalize feelings and gently explore trauma themes. Props like “feelings flashcards,” glitter calming jars, or comfort items can help young clients feel grounded and supported.

Art-Based EMDR Activities:
Children often communicate through images more easily than words. We integrate art-based techniques like:

Drawing their “calm place” or safety symbol during Phase 2 of EMDR preparation
Using stickers, coloring pages, and expressive art to externalize difficult emotions
Creating storyboards or comic strips to help map out and reprocess distressing memories
Using paint, collage, or clay in sessions where tactile or visual expression is most helpful

Sand Tray Therapy:
Sand tray work allows children and adolescents to express what’s often hard to put into words. Our EMDR therapists are trained to integrate EMDR protocols into the sand tray process, using miniatures and symbolic representation as a bridge to reprocessing difficult experiences.

Movement-Based Bilateral Stimulation:
For younger kids who benefit from active engagement, we may use tapping, drumming, tossing beanbags, or even rhythm games to provide bilateral stimulation in a fun and interactive way. For teens, options might include buzzers, headphones, or tactile devices to support their preferred way of processing.

Emotion Regulation First:
Many of our child therapists use the “EMDR-Sandtray protocol” or “A Safe Place Protocol” to ensure that emotional regulation and safety are the foundation before deeper trauma reprocessing begins. Teens also benefit from tailored preparation work that may include journaling, mindfulness apps, or visuals to support their coping outside of sessions.

Family Involvement When Helpful:
We also understand the importance of involving parents or caregivers in a supportive, collaborative way. Whether through parenting consultations or brief check-ins (with the child’s consent), our goal is to ensure a system of safety and support around your child.

Direct billing is available for select insurance companies.

Please note that EMDR coverage varies by provider and policy. In the event that your plan does not allow for direct billing, you will be provided with a detailed receipt to submit for reimbursement.

Don’t live in Edmonton?

In addition to in-clinic sessions in Edmonton and St. Albert, our psychologists offer secure virtual EMDR therapy sessions (video or phone) for anyone living in Alberta. Access quality therapy from the comfort of your own home.