EMDR THERAPY · NEWTOWN
EMDR Therapy Sydney - Trauma Therapy in Newtown
Process distressing experiences without having to tell the whole story over and over again
Some experiences may be over, but they can continue to feel very present. A memory, image, sound, place, relationship trigger or seemingly small reminder can suddenly bring back anxiety, shame, fear, anger or a sense that something is wrong — even when part of you knows you are safe now. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a structured psychotherapy approach designed to help process distressing experiences and reduce the emotional intensity attached to them.
PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellor & Psychotherapist · 10+ years experience · EMDRAA Member · Newtown + online
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing.
It is an evidence-based psychotherapy most strongly established for trauma and post-traumatic stress.
Rather than relying only on talking about an experience, EMDR combines attention to aspects of a distressing memory with bilateral stimulation - commonly guided eye movements, tapping or other alternating stimulation.
The aim is not to erase what happened. Instead, therapy helps the memory become less emotionally overwhelming so that it can feel more like something that happened in the past, rather than something your mind and body need to keep responding to as though it is still happening now.
EMDR is much more than simply moving your eyes from side to side. It is a structured therapeutic process involving assessment, preparation, processing, reflection and ongoing evaluation.
What can EMDR help with?
EMDR is particularly well established as a treatment for trauma and PTSD.
Depending on your experiences, needs and individual assessment, EMDR may also form part of therapy for difficulties involving:
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traumatic or frightening experiences
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intrusive or distressing memories
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relationship betrayal or infidelity
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accidents or medical experiences
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experiences of abuse or neglect
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bullying or humiliation
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grief and difficult loss
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panic associated with particular experiences or situations
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longstanding negative beliefs about yourself
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fears or phobias
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shame
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experiences that contribute to anxiety or feeling unsafe
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distress connected with relationships or attachment
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performance anxiety or confidence blocks
Not every difficult experience requires EMDR and EMDR is not automatically the most appropriate approach for every person. We will discuss what has brought you to therapy and decide together whether EMDR seems likely to be useful.
EMDR for relationship betrayal and infidelity
Relationship betrayal can sometimes create symptoms that feel surprisingly similar to other traumatic experiences.
You may find yourself replaying images or conversations, checking for danger, experiencing strong reactions to reminders, struggling to sleep or becoming overwhelmed by thoughts about what happened.
Even when you have decided to continue a relationship - or know intellectually that the immediate danger has passed - your nervous system may continue reacting.
EMDR may help process particular memories, images, moments or beliefs that remain highly charged.
Beliefs that can become attached to betrayal
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“I’m not enough.”
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“I can’t trust anyone.”
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“I should have known.”
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“I’m not safe.”
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“I was foolish for trusting.”
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“I have no control.”
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“I will be abandoned.”
The aim of EMDR is not to make you forget what happened, convince you to forgive someone or determine whether you should stay in a relationship. The aim is to reduce unresolved distress so that you are better able to think, feel and make decisions from the present rather than continually being pulled back into the most painful moments.
What happens in an EMDR session?
EMDR doesn’t usually begin with immediately processing the most difficult thing that has happened to you. We first spend time understanding what has brought you to therapy, your current circumstances and what you would like to change.
1. Understanding what we’re working with
We may identify particular memories, triggers, emotions, physical sensations or beliefs that seem connected to the difficulty you are experiencing.
2. Preparation and grounding
Preparation is an important part of EMDR. Before processing begins, we make sure you understand the process and have ways to remain grounded and connected to the present.
3. Processing with bilateral stimulation
During processing, I may ask you to briefly notice an aspect of a memory while following bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements. Rather than analysing everything, you are encouraged to simply notice what arises.
4. Pausing, noticing and reviewing
Memories, thoughts, emotions, physical sensations or new perspectives may emerge. We pause regularly to check what you are noticing before continuing, and the process is paced according to you.
Do I have to describe everything that happened?
No. One of the reasons some people are drawn to EMDR is that you do not necessarily need to describe every detail of an experience out loud.
We need enough information to understand what you are working with and to make sure the process is safe and appropriate, but you remain in control of what you choose to share.
During processing, you may be asked to notice an image, thought, emotion or physical sensation without giving me a detailed account of everything that happened.
Will EMDR make me forget what happened?
No. EMDR is not intended to erase memories or make you forget important experiences.
The aim is for the memory to become less emotionally overwhelming, so that you can remember what happened without your mind and body responding as though it is happening again in the present.
People often describe still knowing exactly what happened, but feeling less distressed, triggered or controlled by it.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
EMDR as part of an integrative approach
There isn’t a fixed number of EMDR sessions that will be right for everyone. The amount of therapy needed can depend on what you want to work on, how long the difficulties have been present, whether there are several related experiences, and what else is happening in your life.Some people come with a relatively focused issue, while others are working with more complex or longstanding patterns that benefit from a slower and more gradual approach.Where possible, regular sessions - often weekly at first, or at least fortnightly - can help maintain continuity and momentum. We can review how the work is progressing together rather than committing you to a predetermined number of sessions.
EMDR is one approach I may draw on rather than the only way we work. Therapy can also include Schema Therapy, ACT, CBT, psychodynamic psychotherapy and experiential techniques such as parts work, inner child work or empty-chair exercises where these are useful.Sometimes the focus may be on understanding patterns, relationships or emotions before EMDR begins. At other times, EMDR may form a more central part of the therapy.The approach can change over time depending on what you need rather than following a fixed treatment formula.
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY
Longer EMDR sessions and EMDR intensives
Standard therapy sessions are usually 50 minutes, but some people may benefit from having a longer, more uninterrupted period of time for EMDR work.
Longer sessions or EMDR intensives can allow more time for preparation, processing and settling at the end of the session, without needing to stop simply because the usual appointment time has finished.
A longer session may include:
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a longer session of approximately 2–3 hours
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time to clarify the target and prepare before processing
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planned breaks where needed
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grounding and regulation throughout
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time to review and settle before finishing
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follow-up and integration in later sessions
Is an intensive right for everybody?
No. Longer EMDR sessions are not automatically better and they are not appropriate for every person or every difficulty. Before arranging an intensive, we would consider what you want to work on, your current wellbeing, the complexity of the issue and whether a longer format is likely to be useful and manageable for you.
An intensive may be particularly useful when there is a relatively clear memory, trigger or pattern you want to work on, or when you would prefer a more concentrated period of therapy rather than stopping part-way through meaningful processing.
EMDR therapy in Newtown, Sydney
I offer EMDR therapy from my private practice in Newtown in Sydney’s Inner West, as well as online where appropriate. The practice is a private, comfortable space designed for one-to-one therapy. You can contact me directly without a GP referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan.If you’re unsure whether EMDR is suitable for what you’re experiencing, that’s completely fine. We can first understand what has brought you to therapy and decide together whether EMDR, another therapeutic approach, or a combination of approaches is likely to be most helpful.
The practice is within walking distance of Newtown and St Peters train stations and is designed to feel private, comfortable and non-clinical. I intentionally keep my daily therapy caseload small so sessions don’t feel rushed.
Newtown, Sydney Inner West · In-person + online · No GP referral required
My EMDR work sits within an established psychotherapy practice and ongoing professional supervision, with a particular focus on trauma, anxiety, ADHD and neurodivergence, relationship difficulties, betrayal, grief, shame and LGBTIQA+ concerns.
YOUR EMDR THERAPIST
About Christopher James
I’m Christopher James, a PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellor & Psychotherapist and EMDRAA member. I have worked in private practice since 2016 and bring more than 10 years of experience across counselling, psychotherapy and mental health settings.
My approach is warm, collaborative and integrative. EMDR is one of the approaches I use, alongside Schema Therapy, ACT, CBT, psychodynamic psychotherapy and other experiential work depending on the person and what they need.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR
1. Is EMDR only for PTSD?
EMDR has its strongest evidence base in the treatment of PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. Clinicians may also integrate EMDR into therapy for other problems where distressing experiences, memories, triggers or negative beliefs appear relevant.Whether EMDR is appropriate depends on the individual rather than simply the diagnostic label.
2. Is EMDR hypnosis?
No.
You remain awake and aware throughout EMDR.
You can speak, pause or stop the process at any time.
You remain in control of the session.
3. Do I need to have experienced a major trauma?
Not necessarily. People sometimes assume that trauma therapy is only appropriate following catastrophic events. Experiences can affect people very differently. A memory does not need to meet somebody else’s definition of “bad enough” for us to explore whether it continues to affect you.
4. Can EMDR help after infidelity and betrayal trauma?
For some people, particular moments associated with discovering betrayal or infidelity remain intensely distressing. EMDR may be used to process these memories and associated triggers or beliefs as part of broader psychotherapy. It does not determine whether you should forgive, reconcile or end a relationship.
5. Can EMDR be done online?
For some clients, yes. EMDR can be adapted for telehealth, although suitability is assessed individually. Depending on your circumstances and what we are working on, I may recommend in-person sessions.
6. How long is an EMDR session?
EMDR can be incorporated into a standard 50-minute psychotherapy session. Longer EMDR sessions of approximately 2–3 hours and more focused intensive formats are also available where appropriate.
7. What does EMDR cost?
Standard individual psychotherapy sessions are $200 for 50 minutes. Your first individual session includes an additional 15 minutes at no extra cost. Limited after-hours appointments are $230. Longer EMDR sessions and intensive formats vary according to length and are discussed before booking.
8. Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can contact me directly. This is a fully private psychotherapy practice and Medicare rebates are not available for sessions.
9. I’m interested, but I don’t know whether EMDR is right for me
You don’t need to decide that before contacting me. We can discuss what has been happening, what you would like help with and whether EMDR, another form of psychotherapy, or a combination of approaches seems most appropriate.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Interested in EMDR therapy?
If you’re considering EMDR, you’re welcome to get in touch and ask a question or arrange a first appointment. You don’t need to know whether EMDR is the right approach before contacting me — we can work that out together.
Newtown, Sydney · In-person + online · No GP referral required