Start Your Healing Journey with EMDR Therapy in Calgary
Trauma affects everyone differently, and no two paths to healing are the same. At Flourish Psychological Services, we’ll work with you to develop an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy plan tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re beginning your journey to recovery or seeking advanced support for longstanding trauma, our team is here to guide you forward in a way that feels safe, supportive, and empowering.
Our dedicated EMDR therapists take a compassionate and individualized approach to care. We take the time to understand your story and the impact trauma has had on your life. By recognizing the personal history and circumstances that shape your experiences, we create a treatment plan that aligns with your goals and helps you heal at your own pace. Let us support you on your journey to resilience and emotional well-being.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy designed to help people work through distressing memories and experiences. It uses bilateral stimulation—like side-to-side eye movements, gentle tapping, or specific sounds—to help your brain process and reframe these memories in a way that feels less overwhelming.
What makes EMDR different from traditional therapy is that the focus is on reprocessing the thoughts, emotions, and beliefs tied to distressing experiences rather than relying solely on open discussion. While you may not need to share every detail of your trauma, EMDR does involve engaging with cognitive activations—such as fears of death or feelings of self-worth—related to the event. It’s a guided, supportive process that works with your brain’s natural ability to heal, helping you move forward with greater clarity and resilience. This approach has been carefully developed to provide meaningful relief in a safe and manageable way.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy is a powerful tool for people struggling with a wide range of mental health challenges. It’s designed to help you process and heal from difficult experiences in a way that feels safe and manageable. This therapy is especially helpful for:
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Trauma and PTSD: If you’ve experienced distressing events that feel impossible to move past, EMDR can help you work through those memories and reduce their emotional impact.
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Anxiety and Depression: EMDR addresses the root causes of anxious or depressive feelings, helping you regain a sense of calm and control in your daily life.
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Grief and Loss: For those navigating the pain of losing someone or something important, EMDR offers support to help ease the emotional weight and find a way forward.
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Chronic Stress and Emotional Overwhelm: If you feel stuck in patterns of stress or emotional ups and downs, EMDR can provide relief and help you regain balance.
No matter where you are in your journey, EMDR meets you where you are. Whether you’re working through a traumatic experience or trying to ease recurring anxiety, this approach is personalized to your needs. If you’re seeking compassionate trauma-focused therapy in Calgary, EMDR might be the solution you’ve been searching for.
What to Expect During Your First EMDR Session
Your journey with EMDR therapy begins with a 15-minute, no-obligation phone consultation where you’ll meet with one of our licensed EMDR therapists in Calgary. This consultation offers a chance to share your concerns, ask questions, and explore how EMDR therapy can support your healing journey. We take pride in creating a welcoming, judgment-free environment that honours each person’s unique experiences and identity.
Following your consultation, your first EMDR session is designed to help you feel comfortable and supported as you begin the therapeutic process. Your therapist will explain how EMDR works, introducing the stages and techniques that will be used to help you heal. Together, you’ll identify the memories, emotions, or experiences that will serve as the focus of therapy, ensuring the plan is tailored to your needs. You’ll also practice grounding and relaxation techniques, which are integral to feeling safe and empowered throughout the process. This session is the foundation of your individualized therapy plan—a compassionate, collaborative approach designed to help you process past experiences, reframe distressing thoughts, and build the tools you need to move forward with resilience and confidence
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
EMDR therapy helps your brain process and reframe distressing memories that may feel “stuck” in a heightened emotional state. These memories are often tied to intense emotions or limiting beliefs that can disrupt daily life. EMDR works by activating your brain’s natural healing ability, allowing these memories to be reframed and stored in a more neutral and manageable way.
Your therapist will guide you in targeting specific memories or experiences while focusing on the emotions and beliefs associated with them. Through the reprocessing process, the emotional weight of these memories diminishes, helping you break free from their hold. EMDR isn’t about erasing the past—it’s about changing how your brain responds, empowering you to move forward with clarity, resilience, and a sense of relief.
How is EMDR Therapy Different from Traditional Talk Therapy?
EMDR therapy offers a structured, focused approach to addressing unresolved memories and their emotional impact, setting it apart from traditional talk therapy. Instead of relying solely on verbal exploration, EMDR uses techniques like bilateral stimulation—guided eye movements, tapping, or sounds—to help your brain process distressing events. This unique approach allows you to work through traumatic memories by targeting the emotions, beliefs, and physical sensations tied to them.
One key difference is that EMDR doesn’t require you to share your story in great detail. Instead, it focuses on addressing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviours connected to those experiences, working with your brain’s natural healing abilities. This makes the memory and associated feelings more manageable over time. EMDR is particularly effective for conditions like PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other trauma-related concerns, offering a targeted, supportive pathway to healing that differs from traditional methods of therapy.
Why Choose Flourish?
At Flourish Psychological Services, we take a personalized approach to EMDR therapy, tailoring each session to fit your unique needs. Our therapists are highly trained in EMDR and bring years of experience in trauma-focused care. Most importantly, we’re committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where you can feel understood and comfortable.
We understand how challenging it can be to make time for therapy, which is why we offer flexible options to fit your schedule. Our goal isn’t just to help you manage symptoms but to guide you toward lasting healing—helping you process difficult memories, build resilience, and rediscover your sense of balance and control. When you’re ready to begin, we’ll be here to walk alongside you every step of the way.
Different Types of Therapy for Trauma and PTSD
We offer a range of trauma therapy and PTSD therapy options tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. At our clinic, our specialized approaches provide valuable insights and effective tools to process past experiences, build resilience, and foster healing on your journey to recovery.
Our 3 Main Approaches
1) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps address trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression by identifying and challenging negative thought patterns. It equips individuals with practical tools to manage emotions, reduce anxiety, and change unhelpful behaviours, providing a structured path to recovery and well-being.
2) Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy helps you explore and reshape the stories you tell about your life, especially those shaped by trauma. By separating your identity from the trauma, this approach allows you to reframe experiences in a way that highlights your strengths and resilience. It empowers you to take control of your story and move forward with a more positive and hopeful outlook.
3) Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) uses guided eye movements and visualization to help reprocess trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression without requiring you to relive or share every detail. By changing how distressing memories are stored, ART reduces their emotional and physical impact, offering a fast, non-invasive path to healing and resilience.
EMDR for Trauma and PTSD in Calgary
We provide personalized EMDR therapy options designed to address the unique needs of every individual. At our Calgary clinic, our specialized EMDR approach offers effective techniques and meaningful insights to help you process past experiences, develop resilience, and find healing as you move forward on your recovery journey.
Scheduling an EMDR Session in Calgary
Even if you’ve never booked an EMDR therapy session before, scheduling one is simple. Follow the steps below.
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15-Minute Consultation
Start by filling out our user-friendly online contact form, which will set you up with a free 15-minute consultation with a therapist of your choice. That’s where you’ll briefly share your personal concerns and what you hope to achieve. It also gives us the opportunity to make sure we’re a good fit for you, too.
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Choose Your Therapist
After your free consultation, take the time to reflect on your experience and decide if you feel comfortable and connected with the therapist you spoke with. If so, you can book your first therapy session. If not, we can try someone else, or recommend a different clinic if we feel we cannot provide you with what you need.
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Choose Appointment
Choose the format – in-person or online – that best suits your comfort level and circumstances. Our virtual sessions are always secure, confidential, and convenient, but if you aren't a fan of online and would prefer face-to-face interactions, we'll warmly welcome you for your appointment!