Creating Solutions Psychology

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in Edmonton

EMDR therapy provides a evidence-based, non-talk, therapy to strengthen adaptive coping, address traumatic events, and calm the physical stress response.

When you are struggling and the typical strategies aren’t working.

Sometimes, no matter how much time passes, certain memories or experiences still feel too close. This can leave you stuck in the same emotional patterns, reacting strongly to reminders of the past, or struggling with anxiety, guilt, or self-doubt that seems hard to explain. Even when you know you’re safe now, your body and mind can feel like they’re still living in old pain.

EMDR provides sessions that are structured, gentle, and paced at your comfort level, designed to help you heal from those unresolved experiences.

Common issues addressed with EMDR include:

  • Trauma or distressing events (e.g., accidents, loss, assault, abuse)

  • Ongoing anxiety, panic, or intrusive thoughts

  • Difficult relationships or attachment wounds

  • Low self-worth or feelings of “never being enough”

  • Grief, chronic stress, or burnout

  • Physical symptoms linked to emotional pain

Close-up of a soft, peach-colored fabric with gentle folds and shadows.
Therapist doing EMDR with a client.

Reduces distress from traumatic memories: EMDR helps the brain reprocess traumatic or disturbing experiences so they are no longer as emotionally intense or intrusive. Clients often report that memories feel more distant or less distressing after treatment.

Enhances adaptive coping: As the distressing memory is reprocessed, new, more adaptive beliefs (e.g., “I am safe now,” “It wasn’t my fault”) replace negative core beliefs formed during trauma.

Bypasses extensive talk therapy: EMDR does not require clients to talk in detail about their trauma, which can make it easier for individuals who struggle with verbalizing or reliving painful events.

EMDR helps clients by reprocessing maladaptively stored memories so distressing experiences are integrated into a person’s broader life story without overwhelming emotional responses.

It’s effective for both acute trauma and chronic emotional difficulties that stem from past experiences.

How EMDR can make a difference.

Promotes physiological regulation: Bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or sounds) engages both hemispheres of the brain, helping to reduce hyperarousal and promote calm.

Produces lasting change: EMDR aims to resolve the root cause of symptoms rather than just managing them, leading to durable improvements in well-being and functioning.

How does EMDR therapy work?

Learn more about EMDR

The EMDR Process in Steps

  • We begin by talking about what brings you to therapy and identifying experiences or memories that may still affect you today. This phase helps us understand your goals, background, and what feels most important to address. Together, we create a treatment plan that fits your needs and readiness.

  • Before reprocessing begins, we focus on building safety and trust. You’ll learn grounding and calming techniques to help manage emotional responses during and between sessions.


    This phase ensures that you feel supported, stable, and in control of the process at all times.

  • We identify a specific memory or issue to target, along with the related negative belief (e.g., “I’m not safe,” “I’m not good enough”) and the positive belief you would like to strengthen (e.g., “I am safe now,” “I am enough”).


    You’ll also notice where you feel the distress in your body, as EMDR integrates both mind and body awareness.

  • This is the active reprocessing stage. While recalling aspects of the memory, you’ll engage in bilateral stimulation—such as following the therapist’s hand movements, gentle tapping, or listening to alternating sounds.


    This helps both sides of the brain communicate and process the memory so it becomes less emotionally charged and more neutral.

  • Once the distress has decreased, we focus on strengthening the positive belief connected to the memory (e.g., “I can handle this,” “I’m safe now”).


    The goal is for the positive thought to feel true both emotionally and physically.

  • You’ll briefly scan your body to notice any lingering sensations or tension related to the memory. If anything remains, we continue processing until your body feels calm and settled.

  • At the end of each session, we make sure you feel grounded and stable before leaving. You’ll use the calming techniques developed earlier to ensure emotional balance between sessions.

  • At the start of the next session, we review how you’ve been feeling and check whether the changes have held. If needed, we continue reprocessing or move to new targets.


    Over time, distressing memories lose their emotional power, and clients report feeling freer, calmer, and more confident.

Who Provides This Service?

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How Therapy At Creating Solutions Works

  • Through the first sessions a Creating Solutions’ therapist gets to know you and will develop unique strategies and interventions aimed at supporting you in achieving your therapy goals, reducing current distress, and building resiliencies for the future.

  • At Creating Solutions we understand our clients are active participants in therapy and experts in their own lives. We work collaboratively with you to ensure therapy is responsive to where you’re at currently and supporting you to find solutions that fits with who you are, including your beliefs, culture, and life goals.

  • Creating Solutions requires all clients to go through informed consent during their first session so they know their rights and the expectations during therapy. This includes a conversation with their therapist and the review of consent forms. Anytime there is a change or question, a Creating Solutions’ therapist will revisit this conversation so the process of therapy is clear and comfortable.

Setting Up EMDR Therapy

If you are ready to get started contact us to complete the intake and schedule an initial session.

If you are not sure what you may need to get started let us know you want to book a phone consultation with one of our therapists to ask questions and get clear direction.

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