EMDR Trauma Therapy in Calgary

A disturbing memory that has the power to derail your day, your relationships, or your sense of safety, even years after it happened, does not have to be managed alone. As well, it is possible to address that difficult memory without giving a lengthy account of what happened and what you feel about it. Through the use of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) people can experience life without being upset by the traumatic memory.

What EMDR Actually Is

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured form of psychotherapy developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. EMDR was originally developed to treat trauma experiences and post-traumatic stress disorder. During EMDR, a client briefly focuses on a distressing memory while simultaneously attending to a guided form of bilateral stimulation, most commonly side-to-side eye movements, though tapping or alternating sounds are also used. The therapist follows a structured, phase-based protocol throughout.

A defining feature of EMDR is that it does not require describing the traumatic event in detail. The client is asked to bring the memory to mind, but the processing work occurs primarily through the structured eye movement or tapping sets, not through an extended verbal description of what happened.

The Theory Behind EMDR: The Adaptive Information Processing Model

EMDR is grounded in what Shapiro called the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. The basic premise is that the brain has a natural capacity to process and file away difficult experiences, similar to how the body naturally heals a physical wound. An overwhelming or traumatic experience can block the natural processing, and the memory can be stored in a way that keeps producing the original emotional charge, images, and physical sensations whenever it is triggered. EMDR’s bilateral stimulation appears to help the brain resume that interrupted processing, so the memory can be integrated without continuing to produce the same intense distressing emotions.

A large body of clinical research supports EMDR’s effectiveness, however the exact neurological mechanism behind bilateral stimulation and EMDR is still debated among researchers. Several competing theories exist and no single explanation has been definitively proven. In other words, EMDR can be helpful, but we don’t know the exact neurophysiological reasons for why it works.

What the Research Says About EMDR

EMDR has one of the more substantial research bases among trauma-focused therapies.

• The World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association both recognize EMDR as an effective treatment for PTSD.
• The American Psychological Association’s clinical practice guideline for PTSD includes EMDR among its recommended trauma-focused treatments, noting it is typically delivered over six to twelve sessions, one to two times per week, with some single-trauma presentations resolving in as few as three sessions.
• Outcome studies referenced by the EMDR Institute report that a substantial majority of single-trauma cases no longer met criteria for PTSD after a short course of treatment in controlled studies, with somewhat lower but still meaningful rates for clients with multiple-trauma histories. As with any cited statistic, these figures come from specific studies under specific conditions, and individual outcomes vary.

EMDR treatment has limits. EMDR is not a guaranteed or instant fix, and complex, longstanding, or relationally rooted trauma typically requires more time and a more layered approach than single-incident trauma. EMDR is also not recommended as a standalone treatment for everyone; clients with certain dissociative presentations, active psychosis, or significant difficulty tolerating emotional arousal may need additional stabilization work first. A qualified EMDR therapist will assess this with you before beginning active trauma processing.

What EMDR Is Used to Treat

EMDR was originally developed for PTSD, and that remains its strongest evidence base. In practice, it is also used for a wider range of difficulties connected to past distressing experience, including:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD
• Single-incident trauma, such as an accident, assault, or medical event
• Complex or developmental trauma arising from difficult childhood experiences
• Dissociative symptoms and dissociative identity presentations
• Anxiety and panic that are rooted in earlier distressing experiences
• Grief that has become complicated or stuck
• Attachment wounds that show up as patterns in current relationships

Many people are unsure if EMDR treatment is suitable for their situations. A therapist can determine a your suitability through an initial consultation and therapy sessions.

How EMDR Works, Step by Step

EMDR follows an eight-phase structure. In practical terms, this usually unfolds as follows:

1. History taking and treatment planning. Understanding your history, current symptoms, and identifying which memories or current triggers will become the focus of treatment.
2. Preparation. Building safety and stabilization skills before any active reprocessing begins, including a calming or “safe place” resource you can return to if needed.
3. Assessment. Identifying the specific image, negative belief, emotion, and body sensation connected to the target memory, along with the more adaptive belief you would like to move toward.
4. Desensitization. The active reprocessing phase, using sets of bilateral stimulation which begins with you briefly holding the memory in mind, then reporting whatever comes up.
5. Installation. Strengthening the connection to the positive belief identified earlier.
6. Body scan. Checking for any remaining physical tension connected to the memory.
7. Closure. Returning to a regulated state at the end of each session, regardless of whether processing is complete.
8. Re-evaluation. Reviewing progress at the start of the next session and identifying what to work on next.

A single distressing memory can sometimes be substantially processed within a few sessions, though this varies considerably depending on the complexity of what is being addressed. Complex or multiple-trauma histories generally require a longer course of treatment, often woven together with other approaches such as parts work, somatic or body-based approaches, and Polyvagal-informed nervous system work, which Derek also draws on depending on particular client needs.

Derek’s Specific Training in EMDR and Complex Trauma

Beyond foundational EMDR training, Derek has pursued additional specialized training relevant to complex and dissociative presentations, including:

• EMDR, Complex Trauma, and Dissociative Identity Disorder, including a year of group consultation with Kathy Steele
• Complex Trauma Certificate training (Levels I and II) with Janine Fisher
• Training in ego state interventions, structural dissociation, and the Flash Technique
• Ongoing professional development 

This additional training matters because not every presentation of trauma looks the same. Someone with a single distressing memory from an accident has different needs than someone whose trauma is developmental, relational, or connected to dissociation. Working with a therapist who has training across this range means the approach can be adapted to what you are actually bringing into the room, rather than applying a single protocol regardless of fit.

Learn More About Derek

What to Expect From Your First Steps

1. Free 15-minute inquiry call. A low-commitment conversation to share what is going on and ask any questions before booking a first session.
2. Initial sessions. Gathering history, understanding your current symptoms and goals, and beginning to build the stabilization skills that come before active EMDR processing.
3. Active EMDR phase. Structured reprocessing sessions, paced according to what you can tolerate and integrate.
4. Integration and consolidation. As distressing material is processed, sessions often shift toward applying new patterns of response in daily life and relationships.

There is no fixed number of sessions that applies to everyone. Some single-incident presentations see meaningful change within a handful of sessions. Complex or longstanding trauma typically takes longer, and that is a reflection of the complexity of what is being addressed, not a sign that the approach is not working.

In-Person and Online EMDR in Calgary and Across Alberta

Derek offers EMDR both in-person at his Calgary office and virtually for clients across Alberta. EMDR can be adapted for telehealth delivery, including the use of alternative bilateral stimulation methods suited to a video format. Research on telehealth-delivered EMDR, including studies on remote EMDR platforms, has generally found it to be a safe and effective option for many clients. Situations where there are significant dissociative symptoms may be better suited to in-person sessions. This can be discussed during your initial consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does EMDR therapy cost in Calgary?

Fees vary by practice and by the therapist’s registration status. For current rates at this practice, please contact us directly; rates are not listed on this page to ensure you always have the most accurate, up-to-date information.

Does insurance cover EMDR therapy in Alberta?

Many extended health benefits plans in Alberta cover psychological services, including EMDR, since it is delivered within a standard individual therapy session by a registered provider. Coverage details vary by insurer and plan, so it is worth confirming directly with your provider and checking that a Registered Psychologist is eligible under your specific plan before booking.

Does EMDR require talking about my trauma in detail?

No. This is one of the most common misconceptions about EMDR. While your therapist needs enough context to identify the memory being targeted, EMDR’s processing work happens primarily through the structured bilateral stimulation phases rather than through a detailed verbal description of the traumatic event.

How many sessions does EMDR take?

This depends entirely on what is being treated. Single-incident trauma sometimes resolves in as few as three to six sessions in research settings, though this varies by individual. Complex, developmental, or multiple-trauma presentations typically require a longer course of treatment. Your therapist will discuss a realistic timeline with you after the initial assessment.

Is EMDR safe for everyone?

EMDR is generally well tolerated, but it is not automatically the right starting point for everyone. People with significant dissociative symptoms, active psychosis, or difficulty tolerating strong emotional states often benefit from a period of stabilization work before active trauma reprocessing begins. This is assessed individually, not assumed.

Can EMDR be done online?

Yes. EMDR can be adapted for virtual delivery using alternative bilateral stimulation methods suited to video sessions. Research on remote EMDR has generally found it comparable in effectiveness to in-person delivery for many clients, though this is assessed on an individual basis.

What is the difference between EMDR and talk therapy?

Traditional talk therapy typically works through verbal discussion, insight, and changing thought patterns over time. EMDR is more structured and uses bilateral stimulation to directly target how a traumatic memory is stored, often without requiring extended discussion of the event itself. The two are not mutually exclusive, and many clients benefit from an approach that draws on both.

Schedule Your Free Inquiry Call