Fika Mental Health
EMDR Therapy for Trauma, PTSD, & Anxiety
If painful memories, triggers, or overwhelming emotions keep resurfacing, EMDR therapy offers a structured way to work with them. Our trauma-trained therapists use EMDR at a pace that feels manageable, with preparation and grounding before memory processing begins.
Virtual EMDR therapy is available in select Canadian provinces, depending on clinician.
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Does This Sound Like You?
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A memory, image, or event keeps replaying no matter how hard you try to move on
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Small triggers set off overwhelming emotions or body reactions
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You feel stuck in “survival mode,” even when you want to feel safe
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Traditional talk therapy hasn’t given you the relief you’re looking for
If this feels familiar, EMDR therapy may be worth exploring.
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Trauma-Trained, Neuroaffirming EMDR Therapy
At Fika, EMDR is offered within trauma-trained, neuroaffirming care. We focus on preparation, pacing, and collaboration before moving into memory processing.
Depending on your therapist and your goals, EMDR may also be integrated with Polyvagal-informed, attachment-focused, or parts work approaches.
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What to Expect in EMDR Therapy
Your first sessions may include:
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Building trust and understanding what you would like support with
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Practising grounding or regulation strategies
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Identifying memories, triggers, beliefs, or themes you may want to work on
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Beginning EMDR processing when you and your therapist decide you are ready
EMDR is collaborative, and the pace of the work can be adjusted throughout therapy.
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Understanding EMDR Therapy
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured psychotherapy that uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or sounds, while working with distressing memories, beliefs, emotions, and body sensations.
The goal is for those memories to feel less distressing and less disruptive in the present.
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What EMDR Can Support With
EMDR has an established evidence base for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. Depending on your needs and your therapist's training, EMDR may also be used when working with:
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Anxiety or panic
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Phobias or fears
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Grief and loss
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Negative self-beliefs
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Body image or self-esteem concerns
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Relationship wounds, including betrayal or infidelity
Your therapist can help you explore whether EMDR fits what you would like support with.
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Wondering If EMDR Is Right for You?
You do not need to know whether EMDR is the right approach before reaching out. Start with a free consult to ask questions, learn about availability, and get matched with a therapist who offers EMDR.
EMDR Therapy FAQs
How is EMDR different from regular talk therapy?
EMDR uses a structured process that works with memories, beliefs, emotions and body sensations while incorporating bilateral stimulation such as eye movements, tapping or sounds. There is still conversation with your therapist, but sessions may involve less continuous talking than some forms of talk therapy.
Do I have to talk about every detail of what happened?
Not necessarily. EMDR does not usually require you to describe every detail of an experience out loud, although your therapist will need enough information to understand what you want to work on and guide the process.
How do I know if EMDR is right for me?
Your therapist can explore your goals, current concerns and readiness with you before beginning EMDR processing. A free consult is also a place to ask questions and get matched with a therapist who offers EMDR.
What is the difference between regular EMDR therapy and an EMDR intensive?
Regular EMDR can be offered within standard therapy appointments, while EMDR intensives use longer sessions. If you are interested in a more extended format, you can learn more on our EMDR Intensives page.