Brisbane
EMDR Therapy in Brisbane
Capalaba clinic · Telehealth Queensland-wide · Medicare rebates
EMDR is one of the most well-researched treatments for trauma, PTSD, and the long shadow that difficult experiences can leave behind. Our Capalaba clinic offers in-person EMDR for the Brisbane bayside and Redlands, and secure telehealth for clients anywhere in Queensland.
About EMDR
EMDR helps the brain process what got stuck
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is recognised by the World Health Organisation as a first-line treatment for trauma and PTSD, and it has decades of clinical research behind it.
When something overwhelming happens, the brain sometimes stores the memory without fully processing it. The image, the body sensations, the emotions, and the beliefs that came with the event stay frozen, ready to fire whenever something reminds you. EMDR uses gentle bilateral stimulation, usually guided eye movements, to help the brain finish the processing that was interrupted.
EMDR does not require you to talk through every detail of what happened. For many people that is a relief. It also tends to feel quicker than traditional talk therapy for clearly defined traumatic memories, although for complex or developmental trauma the work is paced more slowly and woven in with stabilisation and resourcing.
If you are searching for EMDR in Brisbane, our Capalaba clinic offers in-person sessions and our therapists also work via secure telehealth. EMDR is fully effective online and many clients prefer to do this deeper work from a familiar, private space.
EMDR can help with
- ✓PTSD and complex PTSD
- ✓Childhood and developmental trauma
- ✓Single-incident trauma (accident, assault, medical event)
- ✓Anxiety, panic, and phobias
- ✓Performance and test anxiety
- ✓Grief and traumatic loss
- ✓Birth trauma
- ✓Negative self-beliefs rooted in past experiences
- ✓Body memory and somatic distress
How We Work
EMDR is structured and paced
Good EMDR is never improvised. Our therapists follow the standard eight-phase protocol developed by Francine Shapiro, adapted to your history and what feels safe. The work below is the broad shape but every plan is individual.
History and stabilisation
Before any reprocessing, we map your history together, identify treatment targets, and build a set of grounding and resourcing skills. This phase is genuinely therapeutic in its own right and for some clients it is enough on its own.
Reprocessing
Once the foundation is stable we begin processing the memories at the heart of the work. Sessions use bilateral stimulation while you hold the memory lightly in mind. You stay in control, you can pause at any point, and we work within your window of tolerance.
Installation and integration
As the distress around a memory drops, we install adaptive beliefs and check the body for any remaining tension. Over time you find that triggers lose their charge, sleep often improves, and the memory becomes something that happened to you, not something happening to you now.
Our Therapists
EMDR-trained Brisbane therapists
Our Brisbane clinical team welcomes clients from Brisbane and the surrounding region. Each therapist offers secure telehealth sessions if in-person travel is not right for you.
BrisbaneAccepting new clients
BrisbaneAccepting new clientsGetting to Our Clinic
Our Capalaba clinic serves the Brisbane bayside
Address
Unit 10/29 Mount Cotton Road, Capalaba QLD 4157
Travel from Brisbane
Unit 10/29 Mount Cotton Road, Capalaba — easy parking on site, around 25 minutes from Brisbane CBD via the Old Cleveland Road, and a short drive from Cleveland, Alexandra Hills, Birkdale, and Thornlands.
Phone
0477 110 953
FAQ
Common questions
Is EMDR safe?
Yes. EMDR is one of the most heavily researched trauma therapies and is recommended by the World Health Organisation, the American Psychological Association, and Phoenix Australia. It is paced to your tolerance and you stay in control throughout. Strong feelings can come up during a session, which is part of how it works, and your therapist will help you ground and integrate before you leave.
Do you offer EMDR via telehealth?
Yes. All of our Brisbane therapists offer EMDR via secure encrypted video. The bilateral stimulation works just as effectively online using guided eye movements on screen or self-administered tapping. Many clients prefer telehealth for deeper trauma work because they can stay in a familiar space.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
It depends on what you are working with. For a single-incident trauma, many people experience significant relief within 6 to 12 sessions. Complex or developmental trauma generally takes longer, often 12 months or more, and is paced carefully alongside stabilisation work. Your therapist will discuss a treatment plan with you and review it regularly.
Can I claim a Medicare rebate for EMDR in Brisbane?
Yes. With a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, eligible sessions with our registered therapists attract a Medicare rebate. Your GP can prepare the plan in a standard appointment. The Mental Health Care Plan currently allows up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year with rebate.
What is the difference between EMDR and the Flash Technique?
Both use bilateral stimulation but the Flash Technique is a brief, gentler intervention that lets the client process material without engaging with the disturbing content directly. We use the Flash Technique as part of EMDR preparation for clients who find direct reprocessing too overwhelming. Some of our therapists are specifically trained in it.
Ready to Begin?
Start your therapy journey
You do not need to have everything figured out. Reach out and we will match you with the right therapist for your needs, whether that is in person at our Brisbane clinic or via telehealth from home.