Calm your mind. Reclaim your day.
EMDR Therapy in Calgary & Online Across Alberta
Trauma doesn’t always stay in the past. It shows up as flashbacks, panic, shut-down, nightmares, or a constant sense of being on guard. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a trauma-focused therapy that helps your brain finish processing what never had a chance to fully settle, so those memories lose their grip and you can move through the world with more ease.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy originally developed to treat PTSD and other trauma-related symptoms. Instead of talking in circles about what happened, we pair focused attention on a memory with bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements or tapping). This gives your nervous system a way to reprocess the experience so it feels less overwhelming and more “in the past” rather than constantly alive in the present.
How EMDR works at Pathfinder Therapy
We don’t jump straight into the hardest memories.
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History & goals – We map out your story, symptoms, and what you want from therapy.
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Stabilization & resources – We build skills and grounding first so you have ways to calm your body and emotions.
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Targeting memories – We identify key memories, beliefs (“I’m not safe,” “It was my fault”), and triggers.
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Reprocessing with EMDR – We work through those targets using bilateral stimulation at a pace your nervous system can handle.
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Integration – We make space for new beliefs (“I survived,” “It wasn’t my fault”) and help you apply them to daily life.
What EMDR can help with
EMDR may be helpful if you’re dealing with:
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Single-incident trauma (car accidents, medical events, assaults)
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Childhood abuse or neglect
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Relationship trauma and betrayal
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First responder or frontline exposure
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Anxiety or panic linked to past events
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Intrusive images, nightmares, or strong body reactions to reminders
What to expect in an EMDR session
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You stay fully awake and in control the whole time.
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You never have to share details you don’t want to say out loud.
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We pause or slow down if things feel too intense.
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We check in frequently to keep you within your window of tolerance.
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Sessions still look like therapy: conversation, grounding, reflection – not just eye movements.
Is EMDR right for you?
EMDR is one tool, not the only one. For some people, EMDR is a good fit early on. For others, we might start with IFS, CBT, or more relational work and bring EMDR in later. The goal isn’t to force a protocol; it’s to choose the approach that best supports your nervous system, values, and timing.
