EMDR Therapy Brisbane | Trauma & Anxiety Treatment in Bowen Hills
Gentle, evidence-based therapy for the memories that still feel too close.
Some things don't fade with time. A car accident from a decade ago that still leaves you breathless. A childhood you've never quite been able to talk about. Years of trying to think your way out of something that keeps pulling you back in. If that sounds familiar, you're not stuck because you haven't tried hard enough. Some memories live in a part of the brain that doesn't respond to talk therapy or willpower. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is designed to reach those memories, gently, safely, and at your pace. At Brisbane Mind & Body Clinic, our experienced EMDR-trained psychologists work with adults and teens (16+) at our Bowen Hills clinic and via telehealth across Queensland.
Book an appointmentCall (07) 3520 2209What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is an evidence-based psychological therapy developed in the late 1980s and now recognised by the World Health Organization and the Australian Psychological Society as a first-line treatment for trauma and PTSD.
- When something distressing happens, the brain usually processes it over time, and the memory loses its emotional intensity.
- With traumatic, overwhelming or repeated experiences, that processing doesn't fully complete, and the memory stays stuck in a vivid, body-felt state.
- EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (gentle eye movements, taps or tones) while you hold the memory in mind, helping the brain do the processing it couldn't do at the time.
- Over a series of sessions, the memory becomes less intense and stops triggering the same response.
You don't need to talk about the memory in detail for EMDR to work, which is part of what makes it different from many other trauma therapies.
Follow the gentle left-to-right movement, this is bilateral stimulation
Who EMDR Therapy Helps
Originally developed for PTSD, EMDR is now used effectively for a much wider range of presentations. We use EMDR at our Bowen Hills clinic with clients experiencing:
If you're not sure whether what you're carrying counts as trauma, please don't let that stop you reaching out. The size of the event matters far less than how it's sitting with you now.
When Anxiety or Trauma Doesn't Quite Resolve
Many of the adults who come to us for EMDR have already tried other therapies. Maybe years of CBT for anxiety that helped a bit but never quite enough. Maybe an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood that explained a lot but left some pieces unaccounted for.
There's a reason for that. Many adults living with anxiety or unresolved low mood are also carrying low-level or unrecognised trauma, sometimes from childhood, relationships, or difficult life events. Talk therapy can help you understand it. EMDR can help your nervous system finally process it. This is one reason EMDR sits naturally alongside our specialist ADHD work and our broader psychology practice.
How EMDR Works at BMBC | The 8 Phases
EMDR is a structured, eight-phase therapy. We move at your pace and you stay in control throughout. We don't begin processing difficult material until you have the coping tools to do it safely.
History and treatment planning
Your psychologist takes a full history and works with you to understand what is bringing you to therapy. Together you decide what to target.
Preparation
Before any processing begins, your psychologist helps you build grounding and coping tools to use during and between sessions. This is what makes EMDR safe.
Assessment
You and your psychologist identify the specific memory, image, belief and emotion to target.
Desensitisation
The bilateral stimulation work, eye movements, taps or tones, while you hold the target memory in mind. You don't have to describe it aloud.
Installation
Once distress reduces, your psychologist helps strengthen a more adaptive, positive belief about yourself.
Body scan
You check in with your body, where trauma often lives, to make sure nothing residual remains.
Closure
Every session ends with grounding, so you leave feeling settled rather than activated.
Reevaluation
At the start of later sessions you check in on previous targets. Progress is reviewed regularly.
Most people need between 6 and 20 sessions. Single-incident trauma can resolve in a few; complex trauma usually takes longer. Your psychologist will give you a clearer sense after Phase 1.
What an EMDR Session Actually Feels Like
- You sit comfortably in a chair, your psychologist sits opposite you.
- You either follow your psychologist's finger with your eyes, hold small handheld tappers that vibrate gently, or listen to alternating tones through headphones.
- You hold the agreed memory in mind during sets of bilateral stimulation lasting around 30 seconds each.
- Between sets you check in with what's come up, thoughts, images, sensations, emotions. You only share as much as you want to.
- Over the session, the emotional intensity of the memory gradually reduces.
You may feel tired afterwards, trauma processing is real work. We always make sure you leave feeling grounded and settled. Many clients find they sleep better that night, even when the work has been difficult.
Why Choose Brisbane Mind & Body Clinic for EMDR
Trauma-informed across the whole team
Not just your EMDR psychologist. Intake and clinical care are all delivered with an understanding of how trauma shows up.
Neurodiversity-affirming
If you have ADHD, autism or another neurodivergent presentation alongside trauma, you won't have to explain or defend that side of yourself to us.
Multidisciplinary
Psychology and nutrition expertise under one roof, supporting nervous-system regulation, sleep and lifestyle alongside therapy.
Bowen Hills location
Easy to reach from Fortitude Valley, Newstead, New Farm, Albion, Hamilton and across Brisbane's Inner North.
Telehealth available
EMDR can be delivered effectively via secure telehealth, useful for regional Queensland or if your own space feels more grounding.
Saturday appointments
Saturday appointments for clients whose weekdays don't allow for therapy.
Fees & Medicare
EMDR sessions are charged at our standard psychology session rate. With a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you're eligible for Medicare rebates, currently $92.90 per session, which we process for you on the spot, so you only pay the gap.
Most private health funds also cover psychology under their extras or mental health components. For full details, see our Fees & Referrals page.
Ready to See if EMDR Could Help?
Whether you've been considering EMDR for a while or just heard about it, we'd be glad to talk it through. There's no expectation that you commit to anything in your first session beyond seeing whether the fit feels right.
Book an appointmentCall (07) 3520 2209Reviewed by Christophe Cosson, Director & Principal Psychologist (B.Psych, P.G.Dip.Psych, Assoc MAPS). Psychology Board of Australia registration PSY0001658979. Last reviewed: June 2026.
Your EMDR Clinicians
EMDR is a structured therapy best delivered by a trained, experienced trauma psychologist who tailors the pace to you. At Brisbane Mind & Body Clinic, EMDR is currently provided by three of our psychologists.
Christophe Cosson
DIRECTOR & PRINCIPAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Christophe's primary focus is trauma therapy and EMDR, supporting clients with PTSD, anxiety and the lasting effects of difficult life experiences.
Shaista Saheed
REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST
Shaista provides EMDR as part of her work with trauma, anxiety and stress, and has a particular interest in supporting veterans.
Jeffrey Wong
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Jeffrey provides EMDR within his trauma-focused work across adults and adolescents, and also consults via telehealth.
What our clients say on Google
Discover Your Strengths, Feel The Difference of Life
"Friendly, helpful and willing to work around my personal needs. Can't say how highly I think of my experience."
Lisa Z. | Google Review
"Exceptional service, easy to talk with, and provides a holistic and pragmatic approach to mental health. Highly recommended!"
S. Buzz | Google Review
"Highly professional and supportive mental health services."
George A. | Google Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EMDR really effective, or is it a bit fringe?
Will I have to talk about the trauma in detail?
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
I've tried CBT and it helped a bit but didn't really shift things. Is EMDR different?
Can EMDR be done via telehealth?
Is EMDR covered by Medicare?
I have ADHD and trauma, can EMDR work for me?
Will I feel worse before I feel better?
How is EMDR different from hypnosis?
Enquire About EMDR Therapy
Fill in the form and our team will be in touch, or ask for a free discovery call to talk through whether EMDR is right for you.