Welcome to the EMDR Therapy Clinic, conveniently located in Ponsonby and Parnell, Auckland. Under the expert guidance of Dr. J.C. Coetzee, we are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective therapy to help you navigate and overcome a range of emotional and psychological challenges.

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR therapy involves the therapist guiding the client to focus on a distressing memory or emotion while engaging in rapid back-and-forth eye movements. The eye movements result in alternating stimulation of the brain's right and left hemispheres. These movements mimic those occurring during REM sleep and appear to expedite the healing process.

In EMDR, desensitisation involves diminishing the emotional disturbance linked to a traumatic memory, while reprocessing entails replacing unhealthy, negative beliefs associated with traumatic memories with more positive ones.

When is EMDR therapy appropriate?

EMDR therapy addresses two categories of trauma: "big T" trauma, such as combat or rape, and "little t" trauma, which encompasses everyday chronic stressors like childhood experiences leading to low self-esteem. EMDR therapy can effectively treat both types of trauma, but it's crucial to note that EMDR therapy can evoke intense emotions temporarily. Therefore, it may not be suitable for individuals unable or unwilling to confront distressing emotions. A thorough assessment by an EMDR therapist is necessary to determine its suitability within an overall treatment plan.

What is EMDR therapy helpful for?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a versatile therapy that can effectively treat a wide range of psychological conditions and issues, including:

1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): EMDR is widely recognised for its effectiveness in treating PTSD, helping individuals process and integrate traumatic memories.

2. Anxiety Disorders: Generalised anxiety, panic attacks, and specific phobias can be alleviated through EMDR by addressing underlying traumatic or distressing memories.

3. Depression: EMDR can assist in reducing symptoms of depression, particularly when it's related to past traumatic experiences.

4. Chronic Pain: Psychological factors contributing to chronic pain can be addressed with EMDR, often leading to reduced pain perception.

5. Grief and Loss: EMDR can help individuals process intense emotions related to loss, facilitating healthier coping mechanisms.

6. Addictions: By targeting trauma or distressing memories that may contribute to addictive behaviours, EMDR can be an effective component of addiction treatment.

7. Problem Eating Behaviours & Eating Disorders: EMDR can assist in uncovering and processing traumatic experiences and distressing memories that contribute to unhealthy eating behaviours.

8. Performance Anxiety: Issues related to performance, such as stage fright or sports anxiety, can be mitigated with EMDR by addressing underlying psychological factors.

9. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): EMDR can help reduce the intensity of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours by processing related distressing memories.

10. Stress Management: Individuals dealing with high levels of stress can benefit from EMDR to process and manage their stress more effectively.

11. Behavioural Issues: EMDR can help address and modify problematic behaviours, especially those rooted in past trauma or distress.

What happens in an EMDR therapy session?

Each EMDR therapy session varies as the healing process is internally guided. Past issues or memories may surface, often leading to temporary discomfort. However, persisting through these moments typically results in the gradual fading of upsetting emotions or memories. EMDR therapy sessions move through 8 phases.

How Does EMDR Therapy Work?

EMDR Therapy works through a structured process that includes the following eight phases:

History Taking: Understanding the client's history and planning the treatment.

Preparation: Teaching the client techniques to handle emotional distress.

Assessment: Identifying the target memory and its components.

Desensitisation: Processing the distressing memory with bilateral stimulation.

Installation: Strengthening positive beliefs related to the memory.

Body Scan: Identifying and addressing any residual physical discomfort.

Closure: Ensuring the client feels better at the end of the session.

Reevaluation: Reviewing progress and planning future sessions.

The Role of Bilateral Stimulation

During EMDR therapy sessions, clients focus on a specific traumatic memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (BLS). This is typically achieved through side-to-side eye movements, taps, or auditory tones. BLS is believed to help reprocess and integrate traumatic memories in a way that reduces their emotional charge and helps clients gain new perspectives on their past experiences.

The Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) ModelThe theoretical foundation of EMDR Therapy is the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. This model suggests that our brains have a natural ability to heal from traumatic experiences, similar to how our bodies heal from physical wounds. However, when a traumatic event overwhelms our coping mechanisms, the memory of the event can become "frozen" in our nervous system. These unprocessed memories can continue to cause distress when triggered by reminders of the trauma.

EMDR Therapy facilitates the processing of these memories by stimulating the brain's information processing system, allowing the "frozen" memories to be integrated and stored in a less distressing way. This helps individuals achieve adaptive resolution, where they can recall the memory without reliving the intense emotions associated with it.

Why Choose the EMDR Therapy Clinic in Auckland?

At our EMDR Therapy Clinic in Ponsonby and Parnell, Auckland, we are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for our clients. Dr. J.C. Coetzee brings extensive experience and specialised training in EMDR Therapy to help you on your healing journey. His approach is client-centred, and he will work collaboratively with you to tailor the therapy to your specific needs.

Contact Us

If you are struggling with the effects of trauma, anxiety, depression, or any other distressing life experiences, we are here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or to learn more about how EMDR Therapy can benefit you.