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 feeling 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 people process distressing experiences and reduce the emotional intensity attached to them.

I offer EMDR therapy from my private practice in Newtown, Sydney, as well as online where appropriate.

I am a PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellor & Psychotherapist and an EMDRAA member, with more than 10 years' experience providing psychotherapy.

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:

traumatic or frightening experiences
intrusive or distressing memories
relationship betrayal or infidelity
accidents or medical experiences
experiences of abuse or neglect
bullying or humiliation
grief and difficult loss
fears or phobias
panic associated with particular experiences or situations
longstanding negative beliefs about yourself
shame
experiences that contribute to anxiety or feeling unsafe
distress connected with relationships or attachment
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.

For example, therapy might explore experiences associated with beliefs such as:

“I'm not enough.”
“I can't trust anyone.”
“I should have known.”
“I'm not safe.”
“I was foolish for trusting.”
“I have no control.”
“I will be abandoned.”

Importantly, 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 the 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 does not usually begin with immediately processing the most difficult thing that has ever happened to you.

We first spend time understanding what has brought you to therapy, your history, current circumstances and what you would like to change.

We may then identify particular memories, triggers, emotions, physical sensations or beliefs that appear connected to the problem.

Preparation is an important part of EMDR. Before trauma processing begins, we make sure you understand the process and have ways to remain grounded and connected to the present.

During the processing phase, 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 notice what arises.

Memories, thoughts, emotions, physical sensations or new perspectives may emerge.

We periodically pause and check what you are noticing before continuing.

The process is paced according to you.

Do I have to describe everything that happened?

No.

One of the aspects many people appreciate about EMDR is that it does not require you to repeatedly describe every detail of a traumatic experience.

I need enough information to understand what we are working with and to practise safely, but much of the processing can occur without giving me a detailed verbal account of everything that happened.

For people who find repeatedly retelling painful experiences overwhelming, embarrassing or exhausting, this can be particularly helpful.

Will EMDR make me forget what happened?

No.

EMDR isn't intended to remove memories.

You should still be able to remember what happened.

What can change is how the memory feels.

Something that previously triggered overwhelming fear, shame, anger or distress may begin to feel more distant, manageable or resolved.

You may also begin to view yourself or the event differently.

The goal isn't:

“It didn't matter.”

It is closer to:

“It happened. I know what happened. But it doesn't have to keep controlling how I feel now.”

How many EMDR sessions will I need?

There is no reliable fixed number.

Some relatively contained experiences may respond to focused work over a shorter period.

Other difficulties may be connected with repeated experiences, childhood relationships, longstanding beliefs, multiple traumatic events or complex current circumstances and therefore require longer-term therapy.

We will regularly review how therapy is progressing rather than committing you to a predetermined programme.

EMDR can also be integrated with other forms of psychotherapy rather than being used for every session.

EMDR as part of an integrative approach

Although EMDR is an important part of my work, I don't believe every problem should be approached through one particular therapy model.

My broader psychotherapy work is integrative.

Depending on what you need, therapy may also draw upon approaches including:

Schema Therapy
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
psychodynamic psychotherapy
Narrative Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
mindfulness-informed approaches

This allows EMDR to sit within a broader understanding of you as a person rather than simply treating an isolated symptom or memory.

Longer EMDR sessions and EMDR intensives

Standard therapy sessions are suitable for many people.

However, stopping after 50 minutes can sometimes feel frustrating when meaningful processing has only recently begun.

For appropriate clients, I also offer longer EMDR sessions and focused EMDR intensives.

These may include:

an extended EMDR session of approximately 2–3 hours
a more concentrated half-day format
preparation and assessment before intensive processing
planned breaks and grounding throughout
follow-up and integration where appropriate

An intensive format may be particularly useful when there is a relatively clear experience, memory, trigger or pattern you would like to work on.

Longer sessions do not mean rushing trauma processing.

Preparation, safety and pacing remain central.

EMDR intensives are not suitable for everyone, so an assessment takes place before an intensive is booked.

EMDR therapy in Newtown, Sydney

Sessions are available from my private therapy space in Newtown in Sydney's Inner West.

The practice is within walking distance of Newtown and St Peters train stations and is designed to feel private, comfortable and non-clinical.

Online EMDR may also be possible for some clients across Australia. We can discuss whether online or in-person work would be more appropriate for you.

I intentionally see a maximum of four therapy clients per day so that sessions do not feel rushed and I can remain fully present with each person.

About your EMDR therapist

I'm Christopher James, a PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellor & Psychotherapist and EMDRAA member.

I have more than 10 years' experience providing psychotherapy and work particularly with adults experiencing:

trauma and distressing experiences
anxiety
ADHD and neurodivergence-related challenges
relationship difficulties
infidelity and betrayal
depression
grief
LGBTQIA+ and gay-specific concerns
intimacy and sexual wellbeing
low self-esteem, shame and longstanding negative beliefs

My EMDR work sits within an established psychotherapy practice and ongoing professional supervision.

I aim to offer therapy that is warm and human while also being grounded in professional training, ethical practice and evidence-informed treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR

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.

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.

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.

Can EMDR help after infidelity or betrayal?

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.

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.

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 clinically appropriate.

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, allowing more time for assessment and understanding what has brought you to therapy.

Limited after-hours appointments are $230.

Longer EMDR sessions and intensive programmes vary according to format and are discussed before booking.

View current services and fees

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.

I'm interested, but I don't know whether EMDR is right for me

You don't need to decide that before contacting me.

You're welcome to get in touch for a brief initial conversation.

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.

There is no obligation to proceed beyond the initial conversation.

Interested in EMDR therapy?

You are welcome to contact me to discuss whether EMDR might be suitable for what you are experiencing.

In-person: Newtown, Inner West Sydney
Online: Available across Australia where appropriate
Standard individual session: $200 / 50 minutes
First individual session: 65 minutes for the standard $200 fee (15 minutes extra free)
Longer EMDR sessions and intensives: available following assessment