EMDR Therapy in Sydney

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is an evidence-based therapy that uses bilateral stimulation — typically guided eye movements — to help the brain process and resolve distressing memories. It is recognised by the World Health Organisation and the Australian Psychological Society as an evidence-based treatment for trauma and PTSD, and is now widely used for anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, and other conditions where past experiences are driving present-day symptoms.

Yes. EMDR is one of the most thoroughly researched therapies available. It is recognised by the World Health Organisation and the Australian Psychological Society as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD. Research also supports its effectiveness for anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, and other trauma-related conditions. Most people working on a single-event trauma notice meaningful change within 3 to 6 sessions.

No — and this is one of the most significant advantages of EMDR. You do not need to describe your experience in detail for the processing to work. You hold the memory in mind while the bilateral stimulation does its job. Many people find this far more manageable than traditional trauma-focused talk therapy, where describing what happened in detail is often unavoidable.

It's possible to feel emotional during or after a session — that's a normal part of processing. Some people also notice that feelings or memories surface in the 24 to 48 hours after a session as the brain continues to process. This is expected and is guided throughout. Sessions are paced carefully so nothing happens before you feel ready, and you'll always leave with grounding tools to manage anything that comes up between sessions.

This depends on what you are working on. For a single specific event or memory, meaningful change is often possible in 3 to 6 sessions. Complex or longstanding trauma may require more. You'll get an honest estimate before you commit to anything. This is not open-ended therapy.

EMDR works best when there is adequate preparation, the right targets are identified, and the pacing suits the individual. If something isn't shifting, the approach is adjusted — not abandoned. The initial session is specifically designed to assess whether EMDR is likely to be effective for your situation before processing begins. If it's not the right fit, you'll be told that upfront.

EMDR sessions here are priced as follows:

• Initial session: $180 — includes full history, target identification and stabilisation planning
• Starter package: 4 sessions for $620 ($155 per session)
• Full package: 6 sessions for $900 ($150 per session)

No GP referral required. No annual session cap. Pricing is transparent — there are no hidden fees.

Medicare rebates for EMDR are only available when sessions are delivered by a registered psychologist under a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan. As a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Strategic Psychotherapist rather than a registered psychologist, I'm not able to offer a Medicare rebate — our pricing reflects that, with no GP referral needed and no annual session cap.

No. No GP referral or Mental Health Care Plan is needed to book. Sessions are not Medicare-rebatable, and there is no 10-session annual cap.

It depends entirely on your fund and level of cover — this varies significantly between providers and changes over time, so we're not able to tell you what your policy will cover. We'd recommend checking directly with your health fund before booking if this is a factor for you.

EMDR and hypnotherapy are distinct, separately trained modalities with different protocols. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to target and reprocess specific memories through a structured 8-phase protocol. Hypnotherapy uses a relaxed, focused state to work with thought patterns and behaviours more broadly. They're not used interchangeably — EMDR is delivered here as its own standalone therapy, with hypnotherapy offered as a separate service for those specifically seeking that approach.

CBT works primarily at the level of conscious thought — identifying and challenging unhelpful thinking patterns. EMDR works at the level of memory and the nervous system. For people whose anxiety has deep roots or has not responded to CBT, EMDR often reaches something that conscious restructuring alone cannot. Many people come to EMDR after years of CBT with a solid understanding of their patterns — but understanding them has not changed them. That is exactly where EMDR tends to move things.

Yes. Online EMDR is widely used and clinically effective. Recent research has found that EMDR delivered via telehealth produces outcomes comparable to in-person EMDR for trauma-related conditions. An adapted format for video sessions maintains bilateral stimulation throughout. Many clients across Australia work entirely online.

Yes. While EMDR was originally developed for PTSD, it is now used effectively for anxiety disorders, panic attacks, phobias, social anxiety, and performance anxiety. For many people, anxiety has a trauma component even if what happened does not feel dramatic enough to count as trauma. Chronic criticism, emotional unpredictability, bullying, or years of high-pressure environments can shape the nervous system just as powerfully as a single acute event. EMDR addresses that underlying root rather than just the surface symptoms.

No. You do not need any formal diagnosis. EMDR is used effectively for a wide range of conditions beyond PTSD — including anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, and social anxiety. If something that happened is still affecting how you feel, think, or respond today, EMDR may be able to help regardless of whether it has a diagnostic label.

EMDR is well-established as a safe therapy when delivered by a trained practitioner. You remain in control throughout — there's a clear stop signal you can use at any point, and sessions are paced so you're never pushed further than you're ready for. As with any therapy that processes difficult material, it's normal to feel tired or emotional afterwards, but you'll leave each session with grounding tools to manage this.

EMDR therapy is available in-person at Bondi Junction in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, serving clients from Bondi, Waverley, Bronte, Coogee, Randwick, and surrounding areas. Online sessions are available to anyone across Australia.