What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured, evidence-based therapy developed to help people heal from trauma and distressing life experiences. Rather than talking through what happened in detail, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (most commonly guided eye movements) to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they lose their emotional charge.
It's recognized by the World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association as an effective treatment for PTSD, and is widely used for anxiety, depression, grief, and complex trauma.
When the Past Keeps Showing Up in the Present
Trauma doesn't always look the way people expect. It's not just flashbacks or nightmares. It can be the way your body tenses in certain situations, the relationships that keep following the same painful patterns, or the sense that no matter how much you understand your history, you can't seem to move past it.
Many people come to us after years of talk therapy that helped them understand their experiences but didn't fully resolve them. They've done the work of naming what happened. What they need now is a way to process it at a deeper level.
If you've been living with unresolved trauma, PTSD, anxiety, or chronic stress, you deserve more than coping strategies. You deserve real healing.
Certified EMDR Therapy at Whole Self Wellness in Winnipeg
Alanna Jones, MSW, RSW is a certified EMDR therapist with advanced training in specialized protocols including DeTUR (Desensitization of Triggers and Urge Reprocessing) and N.E.S.T. (Neurobiological EMDR Somatic Therapy). This depth of training means she works with a wider range of presentations than standard EMDR practitioners, including complex trauma, addictions, somatic symptoms, and deeply held beliefs that have resisted other approaches.
At Whole Self Wellness, EMDR is integrated within a holistic, trauma-informed framework. Sessions are always paced to your comfort and readiness.
Explore our full team of trauma-informed therapists in Winnipeg.
What to Expect from EMDR Therapy at Whole Self Wellness
Initial Consultation
EMDR Sessions
Ongoing Support
Discover the Benefits of EMDR Therapy in Winnipeg
What Healing from Trauma Can Look Like
EMDR therapy helps clients move from surviving to genuinely living. Benefits people commonly experience include:
- Relief from the emotional weight of past trauma, with memories becoming less intrusive and distressing
- Reduced anxiety, hypervigilance, and physical stress responses in day-to-day life
- A greater sense of safety in your body and in your relationships
Frequently Asked Questions about EMDR Therapy in Winnipeg
Yes. EMDR is effective for a wide range of experiences beyond clinical PTSD, including childhood emotional wounds, anxiety, grief, low self-worth, and the effects of chronic stress. You don't need a specific diagnosis to benefit.
No. One of the reasons people find EMDR a relief is that you don't need to verbally describe traumatic events in depth. The therapy works by helping your brain reprocess the memory, not by reliving it through conversation.
It varies depending on your history and goals. Some clients experience significant shifts in as few as 6 to 12 sessions. Others with more complex histories benefit from longer-term work. Alanna will discuss realistic expectations with you during your consultation.
Yes. We offer online psychotherapy throughout Manitoba and Ontario, including EMDR sessions delivered via secure video.
Many extended health plans cover psychotherapy provided by a Registered Social Worker. Coverage varies by plan, so we recommend checking with your provider. Alanna Jones is an RSW and her services are commonly eligible.
EMDR is an evidence-based, specialized psychotherapeutic model which changes the way memories are stored in the nervous system. EMDR has been shown to be highly effective for many different psychotherapeutic challenges, including trauma, anxiety, addictions, disordered eating, depression and more.
Book by Treatment
Ready to Start Healing with EMDR Therapy in Winnipeg?
Book your free consultation today and take the first step.
