EMDR Therapy — Trauma-Informed
Some experiences linger in ways that words alone can’t reach. Your body remembers, your nervous system reacts, and your mind can feel like it’s on repeat.
Have you ever noticed that your mind knows something should feel different — but your body doesn’t agree?
Maybe your chest tightens with anxiety for reasons you can’t quite explain. Or old memories pop up at the worst moments, shaping how you respond today even though “that was in the past.” That’s where EMDR can help. It’s not about dissecting every painful detail — it’s about inviting your nervous system to actually process what it couldn’t back then.
At Lucia Therapy in Toronto, with EMDR therapy, I offer a gentle, structured way to help your system process what it couldn’t the first time — so you can feel calmer, more present, and more like yourself.
What Is EMDR (in a Real, Human Way)?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a trauma‑informed therapeutic approach that supports your brain and nervous system in re‑processing distressing experiences so they hold less emotional charge.
Instead of talking about a memory over and over, EMDR works with how that experience is stored in your nervous system — helping it move from something that feels present and overwhelming to something that feels past and manageable.
A Simple Way to Understand EMDR
Here are a few gentle ways to picture how EMDR works:
1. A song stuck on repeat
A memory keeps playing in the background, triggering emotions or body tension. EMDR helps your brain unstick the loop, so the song fades and no longer runs your present.
2. A file that never finished downloading
The experience was interrupted before your system could fully process it. EMDR helps your brain complete the process, so the file can be stored properly instead of constantly popping up.
3. A smoke alarm that’s too sensitive
Your nervous system learned to stay alert to protect you. EMDR helps recalibrate the alarm, so it responds to real danger — not old ones.
The memory doesn’t disappear. It simply loses its power over how you feel today.
Why EMDR Is Safe
If you’re feeling a little anxious reading about EMDR, that makes sense. Many people worry it will be too intense or that they’ll lose control. A trauma-informed EMDR approach is designed to do the opposite.
Here’s what helps make EMDR safe and supportive:
We go at your pace. Nothing is rushed. We only work with what feels manageable for your nervous system.
Preparation comes first. Before any reprocessing, we build grounding skills and internal resources so you feel steady.
You stay in control. You can pause, slow down, or stop at any time. Your consent guides every step.
We don’t relive the past. EMDR doesn’t require detailed retelling. We focus on brief awareness, not overwhelm.
Regulation matters. Each session includes grounding and closure so you leave feeling settled, not raw.
EMDR is about helping your system feel safer — not pushing you into distress.
What EMDR Is Not
If you’re worried EMDR might be too much, it can help to know what it isn’t:
It’s not exposure therapy. You are not asked to relive or stay inside painful memories.
It’s not hypnosis or mind control. You are fully awake, aware, and in charge the entire time.
It’s not forced or rushed. If your system isn’t ready, we slow down or pause.
It’s not about rehashing every detail. You don’t have to share anything you don’t want to.
It’s not a one-size-fits-all technique. EMDR is adapted to you, your history, and your nervous system.
Many clients are surprised by how gentle EMDR can feel when it’s offered within a trauma-informed framework.
What It Means That I’m Trauma‑Informed Therapist
Being a trauma-informed therapist means I understand how trauma shows up in your body, your emotions, and your relationships. It means we focus on your safety, your pace, and your choice. Every session is designed to meet you where you are, not where anyone else thinks you should be.
Your nervous system guides the pace — not a checklist.
We build grounding and coping tools before touching difficult memories.
Your consent and comfort matter at every step.
I see you. I hear you. And I meet you with care.
How EMDR Works in My Practice
I am trained in EMDR and working toward full certification, practicing under supervision and ethical guidelines. EMDR is integrated with trauma-informed care, meaning we always prioritize your stability and emotional safety.
Sessions are not mechanical or rushed. They are a conversation between your body, your mind, and your past experiences — done at a pace that feels right for you.
What EMDR Can Help With
EMDR can support you with many challenges, especially when the past keeps showing up in your present — emotionally, relationally, or in your body.
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Trauma & Complex Trauma
- Childhood emotional neglect or attachment wounds
- Relational trauma
- Medical or immigration-related trauma
- Single or repeated stressful events
- Chronic stress that never felt “bad enough” to nameHow EMDR helps: supports your nervous system in safely processing what happened, so memories feel less overwhelming and your body can come out of survival mode.
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Relationship Patterns, Breakups & Attachment Wounds
- Repeating the same relationship patterns
- Fear of closeness or abandonment
- Breakups that feel consuming or hard to move through
- Toxic or emotionally unsafe relationships
- Emotional codependency and loss of self in relationshipsHow EMDR helps: helps process relational wounds so old patterns don’t keep replaying, allowing for clearer boundaries and healthier connections.
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Anxiety & Nervous System Dysregulation
- Persistent worry or panic responses
- Body tension and hypervigilance
- Emotional reactivity and somatic anxietyHow EMDR helps: reduces the intensity of anxiety stored in the body, helping your system feel calmer and more regulated.
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Self-Esteem, Identity & Inner Criticism
- Beliefs like “I’m not enough” or “I have to hold it together”
- Impostor syndrome and chronic self-doubt
- Negative self-talk and limiting beliefs
- Emotional patterns impacting your personal and professional lifeHow EMDR helps: works at the root of limiting beliefs, easing self-criticism and strengthening a more grounded sense of self.
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Grief & Loss
- Grief after the loss of a loved one
- Ambiguous or complicated grief (loss of a relationship, identity, or future you imagined)
- Grief that feels stuck in the body or resurfaces unexpectedlyHow EMDR helps: allows grief to move through without overwhelming you, supporting integration rather than suppression.
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EMDR Is Evidence-Based
EMDR isn’t just a helpful approach — it’s supported by scientific research:
Study shows EMDR helps reduce symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and stress.
Research finds EMDR effective for PTSD, relationship trauma, and grief .
EMDR also helps calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety symptoms.
The outcomes are measurable and backed by evidence.
What a Typical EMDR Session Feels Like
Each session is structured but gentle, designed to make you feel safe and supported:
Check-in & grounding: We notice how your body and mind feel right now.
Identifying targets: Together, we choose a memory, belief, or sensation to work on that feels manageable.
Resource building: Strengthen your coping skills and sense of safety.
EMDR reprocessing: Using gentle techniques, your nervous system starts to reorganize old, distressing experiences.
Closure & integration: We slow down, reflect on changes, and practice grounding to leave the session feeling stable.
Reflection & support: Optional exercises between sessions help your system integrate the changes.
You are always in control — we move only as fast as feels right for you.
You Might Be a Good Fit for EMDR If…
You might resonate with EMDR therapy if:
You understand why you feel the way you do, but your body hasn’t caught up yet
Your reactions feel automatic, intense, or hard to control
Anxiety, self-doubt, or emotional overwhelm show up even when life looks “fine” on the outside
You notice repeating relationship patterns and wonder why they keep happening
You feel tired of carrying the past in your body
EMDR isn’t about forcing healing. It’s about creating the right conditions for your nervous system to finally rest.
How EMDR Fits With Other Areas of My Work
Many of the concerns I support — such as emotional codependency, impostor syndrome, anxiety, and relational trauma — are deeply connected to how your nervous system learned to survive. EMDR can gently support the work we do around:
Releasing relational patterns rooted in emotional codependency
Softening impostor syndrome driven by early pressure, comparison, or fear of failure
Processing the emotional impact of toxic or emotionally unsafe relationships
Calming anxiety and helping you feel more present in your body
Supporting self-worth, self-esteem, and personal boundaries
Navigating grief, life transitions, or difficult breakups
Begin Your EMDR Journey in Toronto
If your past keeps showing up in ways that feel out of control or exhausting, EMDR therapy at Lucia Therapy in Toronto can help. We work together at your pace, using trauma-informed strategies to help your nervous system settle and your body feel safe.
Ready When You Are
If something in this page resonated — even quietly — that matters.
You don’t have to be sure. You don’t have to have the right words. Curiosity is enough. EMDR therapy at Lucia Therapy in Toronto is offered with care, consent, and respect for your nervous system. We move at your pace, together. If you’re wondering whether EMDR might be a good fit for you, I invite you to book a consultation. We’ll talk, answer questions, and see what feels right — no pressure.
Sessions available in English and Spanish.
Common Questions About EMDR Therapy
1. Will EMDR force me to relive painful memories?
No. EMDR supports your nervous system in processing safely. You’re never pushed into overwhelming experiences.
2. Is EMDR only for severe trauma?
Not at all. EMDR can help with anxiety, self-esteem, relationship patterns, and unresolved emotional experiences.
3. How many sessions will I need?
It varies. Some clients notice relief in a few sessions; others benefit from ongoing support. Your pace is what matters.
4. Can EMDR help with anxiety and relationships?
Yes. EMDR works with the body’s stored responses, helping reduce anxiety and improve relational patterns at the root.
5. Do I need to share every painful detail?
No. EMDR focuses on what your nervous system is holding — not on detailed storytelling.
Live Your Life in Full Bloom!
I would be honoured to join you on your journey. Let me help you find your way back to a sense of purpose and direction.