Explore EMDR in Kelowna & Lake Country
EMDR-informed counselling to support you with difficult memories and reactions.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.
EMDR is a structured therapy that helps people process distressing memories. It uses guided steps alongside alternating eye movements, sounds or taps, known as bilateral stimulation.
Bilateral stimulation is one component of EMDR, rather than the full therapy on its own.
In my practice, I offer EMDR-informed counselling, drawing on my training to incorporate these techniques into our work together.
Difficult memories can feel close, even when they happened long ago.
How Does EMDR Use Bilateral Stimulation?
Bilateral stimulation uses a gentle, alternating left-to-right rhythm.
This may involve following a movement with your eyes, listening to alternating sounds or using taps on either side of your body.
In EMDR therapy, bilateral stimulation is used at specific stages within a structured process. Preparation, guidance and attention to how you’re responding are also important parts of the work.
What Can EMDR Feel Like?
You may notice thoughts, emotions or sensations as we work together.
In my EMDR-informed counselling sessions in Kelowna, we may use bilateral stimulation. During this technique, you might notice:
Your attention moving between the rhythm and your thoughts
Feelings or memories coming to mind
Changes in tension or other body sensations
Little noticeable change at first
There is no particular response you need to have. I’ll check in with you throughout and we can pause or adjust if you feel uncomfortable.
Support for Distressing Memories
A difficult experience can continue to affect daily life through unwanted memories, strong emotions or reactions to reminders of what happened.
You might avoid certain situations or feel on edge even when you know the experience is over. These are things we can talk about in counselling.
In my EMDR-informed work, we consider what you’re experiencing now and whether techniques from my training may be appropriate for you. We begin with preparation and support before considering work with difficult memories.
My EMDR Training and Approach
My training helps guide how I incorporate EMDR-informed techniques into counselling. It includes:
Bilateral Stimulation/EMDR training with Bea Rhodes Counselling (2025)
EMDR for Complex Trauma with Kase, Freeze, Baxter-Musser and Teal (2026)
Two-Handed Interweave technique with Robin Shapiro (2025)
I’ll explain the techniques we consider and make room for your questions. Together, we decide how to proceed based on your needs, comfort and readiness.
We make room for what you’re feeling, without rushing what comes next.
Preparing for EMDR-Informed Counselling
Before working with difficult memories, we spend time getting to know what helps you feel supported and what tends to leave you overwhelmed.
This may include practising ways to bring your attention back to the present and agreeing on how you’ll let me know when you need a break.
You can share concerns or ask questions as we decide together whether to include these techniques.
How EMDR Fits into My Counselling Practice
I use EMDR-informed techniques within a broader counselling approach, drawing on relevant training and your preferences.
You can also explore:
We can discuss these options and choose a starting point that fits what you’re seeking support with.
Explore EMDR-Informed Counselling
Book a free consultation in Kelowna and Lake Country.
A free consultation gives you the chance to:
Ask questions about EMDR-informed counselling
Learn more about how I work
See whether this feels like a good fit for you