EMDR Therapy | Chilliwack & Surrey, BC

Our Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapists in Chilliwack and Surrey work with patients to achieve trauma recovery and anxiety reduction.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a highly effective, evidence-based approach for addressing trauma and emotional distress. Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR has become widely recognized and extensively researched, helping people process difficult memories that may otherwise remain overwhelming. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements or tapping—to “unstick” distressing memories, reducing their emotional charge and making them easier to manage.

More recently, EMDR 2.0 has emerged, enhancing the original method with faster, more targeted techniques to improve emotional regulation and accelerate healing. Whether you’re seeking support for trauma, anxiety, or other emotional challenges, EMDR therapy in Chilliwack, Surrey, and Vancouver can help you move past painful experiences and regain control of your emotional well-being.

Related Reading: If you struggle to talk about your trauma in therapy, EMDR might be for you.

How does EMDR therapy work?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a structured, evidence-based approach designed to help individuals process and resolve traumatic memories. Traumatic events can disrupt the brain’s natural information processing systems, preventing memories from being fully integrated. As a result, these memories can remain "stuck" in an unprocessed state, leading to symptoms such as flashbacks, anxiety, and emotional distress.

During EMDR therapy in Surrey, Chilliwack, or Vancouver, your therapist guides you to focus on a specific distressing memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation (BLS)—typically through controlled eye movements, light tapping, or auditory tones. BLS is believed to facilitate communication between the brain’s hemispheres, activating neural networks involved in memory processing.

Scientific research suggests that BLS during EMDR mimics the brain’s natural processing that occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a critical phase for emotional regulation and memory integration. This process helps the brain reconsolidate the traumatic memory, reducing its emotional charge and enabling it to be stored as a neutral, non-distressing memory.

Over the course of therapy, clients often experience a noticeable shift: the memory becomes less intrusive and emotionally overwhelming, allowing it to be integrated into their broader life narrative. EMDR provides a safe, structured approach to revisiting and resolving past distress, promoting lasting emotional healing and improved psychological well-being

What are the benefits of EMDR therapy?

At Vitality Collective, our EMDR therapists in Surrey, Chilliwack, and Vancouver have seen transformative changes in clients working through past trauma. Many people report a significant reduction in the emotional intensity of distressing memories, helping them feel more grounded and less overwhelmed. EMDR therapy guides you through reprocessing these experiences, allowing you to release negative beliefs and emotions that may be holding you back. Clients often notice improved emotional well-being, with fewer symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, while also rebuilding self-worth through reframed thought patterns and healthier coping mechanisms.

With the introduction of EMDR 2.0, these benefits are even more accessible. Enhanced with advanced bilateral stimulation (BLS) methods and real-time neurofeedback, EMDR 2.0 promotes faster, deeper healing. Adaptive protocols ensure each session is tailored to your unique needs, improving overall outcomes. The integration of mind-body techniques and innovative technologies also broadens the therapy’s applicability, making it effective for a wider range of conditions and client populations.

Whether you’re seeking support in Surrey, Chilliwack, or Vancouver, EMDR therapy at Vitality Collective can help you achieve lasting healing, build resilience, and regain a sense of peace.

What’s the difference between EMDR and talk therapy?

While both EMDR therapy and talk therapy can be incredibly helpful in addressing emotional pain and trauma, they work in different ways. Talk therapy primarily focuses on verbalizing thoughts and emotions, helping you explore past experiences, understand your feelings, and develop coping strategies. It’s a reflective process that can be highly effective for processing emotions over time.

EMDR therapy, on the other hand, focuses on how your brain processes memories. It uses bilateral stimulation (BLS)—often through guided eye movements, tapping, or sounds—to help your brain "reprocess" traumatic memories. This process can reduce the emotional toll of those memories without requiring extensive discussion about the traumatic event itself.

Here are the key ways EMDR differs from traditional talk therapy:

1. Efficiency and Speed

• Rapid Results: EMDR often leads to faster progress, with many clients experiencing significant improvements in fewer sessions than traditional talk therapy.

• Focused Processing: EMDR targets specific memories and associated distress, allowing for quicker desensitization and emotional relief.

2. Comprehensive Healing

• Holistic Approach: EMDR addresses both emotional and physical aspects of trauma, promoting overall well-being.

• Memory Integration: Reprocessing traumatic memories through EMDR helps weave them into a coherent narrative, reducing their emotional impact.

3. Reduced Verbal Demand

• Less Talking, More Processing: Unlike talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require you to extensively verbalize your trauma, which can be a relief if discussing painful memories feels overwhelming.

• Minimized Re-Traumatization: By focusing on how your brain processes memories rather than retelling them, EMDR can feel less emotionally taxing.

4. Neuroscience-Based

• Scientific Foundation: EMDR is rooted in neuroscience, utilizing BLS to activate your brain’s natural healing processes.

• Engagement of Both Hemispheres: BLS stimulates both sides of the brain, supporting the integration and resolution of traumatic memories.

5. Trauma-Focused

• Direct Approach: EMDR zeroes in on trauma but isn’t limited to it—it’s also effective for conditions like anxiety, depression, and phobias.

• Structured Process: EMDR follows a step-by-step protocol, providing a clear path for addressing and resolving traumatic experiences.

6. Versatility

• Wide Range of Applications: Beyond PTSD, EMDR is used to treat anxiety, phobias, depression, and other psychological conditions.

• Adaptability: Therapists can tailor EMDR protocols to suit your individual needs, making it suitable for a broad range of issues.

7. Sustained Outcomes

• Long-Term Relief: Research shows that EMDR’s benefits often last long after therapy has ended, with clients maintaining their progress over time.

• Resilience Building: By reprocessing trauma, EMDR helps build emotional resilience, reducing the likelihood of future emotional distress.

At Vitality Collective, we’re committed to helping you find the right therapeutic approach for your healing journey. Whether you’re interested in EMDR therapy, talk therapy, or a combination of both, our experienced therapists in Surrey, Chilliwack, or Vancouver are here to support you. Together, we’ll explore what works best for your unique needs—because your healing deserves a personalized approach.

What issues are best treated with EMDR?

EMDR therapy is a versatile and powerful tool for healing, especially for those struggling with trauma. But it's not limited to just PTSD. At Vitality Collective, our EMDR therapists help their clients address a range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, phobias, and low self-esteem. It’s also highly effective for people dealing with grief and loss or emotional pain tied to past experiences. Many people seek EMDR therapy in Chilliwack, Surrey, and Vancouver for relief from persistent negative beliefs about themselves or to address emotional triggers that impact their daily lives. At Vitality Collective, our EMDR therapists are proud to offer a powerful approach that helps you heal from a variety of struggles, whether it’s trauma, anxiety, or low self-esteem, providing a safe space for clients in Surrey, Chilliwack, and Vancouver to find relief. 

Related Reading: Healing Childbirth Trauma

How do I find a qualified EMDR therapist?

Finding the best EMDR therapist in Surrey, Chilliwack, or Vancouver for you is an important step on your healing journey, and we’re here to support you through that process. At Vitality Collective, we ensure that our therapists who offer EMDR therapy are specially trained to guide you safely and effectively. We also take great care to match you with someone who has the right experience for your unique needs, whether that’s trauma, anxiety, or self-esteem. When looking for the right EMDR therapist in Surrey, Chilliwack, and Vancouver, it’s important to feel like they’re the right fit for you, which is why we encourage you to review our team’s qualifications and areas of specialization to ensure it aligns with your goals. If you’re unsure about who would be the best fit, our Best Match approach can help guide you to the right therapist based on your needs. If you’re in Surrey, Chilliwack, or Vancouver, we’d love to help you find a therapist who can walk alongside you as you heal. To start the process, simply fill out our New Client Inquiry Form, and we’ll help you get connected with the right support.

Related Reading: What are the Differences Between PTSD, C-PTSD, Developmental & Relational Trauma?

Can EMDR be done virtually?

Yes! Virtual EMDR therapy is just as effective as in-person sessions while offering you greater flexibility in how and where you receive care. Whether you're at home or in another comfortable space, virtual sessions provide the same level of support without the need to commute.

Our EMDR therapists are highly trained, holding degrees in counseling and specialized training in mental telehealth to ensure safe and effective remote therapy. EMDR therapy consists of eight structured phases, all of which can be successfully conducted virtually. This means you can experience the full benefits of EMDR therapy—processing trauma, releasing negative beliefs, and improving emotional well-being—from wherever you feel most at ease. Learn more about virtual therapy with Vitality Collective here.

How much does EMDR therapy cost?

At Vitality Collective, we are committed to transparency in pricing, so you won’t face any unexpected costs. Our EMDR therapy session fees are aligned with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors’ recommended scale:

• Individual Session (50 min) – $155

• Extended Session (75 min) – $215

Payment is due at the time of service, and we accept credit card or Interac e-transfer. New clients will need to place a valid credit card on file, but can opt for e-transfer by contacting our billing coordinator. Many extended health plans cover a portion or all of the session cost. If your plan allows direct billing, we’ll set that up for you. Otherwise, you’ll pay up front and submit your receipt for reimbursement. If your plan doesn’t cover the full cost, you will be billed for the remaining balance. We strive to make our pricing clear and accessible, and we’re here to answer any questions you may have. Please contact our administrative team if you have any questions regarding how much EMDR therapy in Chilliwack, Surrey, or Vancouver costs. 

How many sessions of EMDR therapy are needed?

The number of EMDR therapy sessions in Chilliwack, Surrey, and Vancouver required can vary depending on your specific needs and the issues you’re addressing. Some people may begin to notice significant improvements after just a few sessions, while others may need more time to process deeper or more complex trauma. On average, many clients benefit from around six to 12 sessions, but every person’s journey is different. During your sessions, your EMDR therapist will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that reflects your individual needs and healing process. It's important to remember that healing takes time, and how you feel most comfortable pacing your process is up to you and your EMDR therapist in Chilliwack, Surrey, or Vancouver. 

What should I expect during an EMDR session?

When you arrive for an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy session at Vitality Collective, you’ll be welcomed into a compassionate and supportive space where your well-being is the priority. EMDR therapy follows a structured eight-phase approach designed to help you process and heal from distressing memories:

1. History Taking and Treatment Planning

Your first session will involve discussing your personal history and identifying the specific memories and issues you’d like to address. This helps your therapist create a tailored treatment plan that focuses on your unique needs.

2. Preparation

Your therapist will explain the EMDR process in detail, answer any questions, and teach you coping strategies to manage any emotional discomfort that may arise during or after the sessions.

3. Assessment

Together, you’ll identify a specific traumatic memory to target. Your therapist will assess your emotional and physical responses connected to this memory, as well as the negative beliefs you may hold about yourself.

4. Desensitization

This is the core phase of EMDR therapy. You’ll be asked to focus on the targeted memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation (BLS), such as following your therapist’s moving fingers, gentle taps, or auditory tones. This process helps your brain reprocess the memory, gradually reducing its emotional intensity.

5. Installation

Once the emotional charge surrounding the memory decreases, your therapist will guide you in strengthening positive beliefs to replace the previously held negative ones.

6. Body Scan

You’ll be invited to observe any lingering physical sensations related to the memory to ensure that all aspects of the distress are fully processed.

7. Closure

Before ending the session, your therapist will make sure you feel calm, stable, and grounded. They’ll also review coping strategies you can use between sessions if needed.

8. Reevaluation

At the beginning of your next session, you and your therapist will review your progress, address any remaining issues, and determine the next steps in your treatment.

Many people report feeling a sense of relief after their sessions and notice that previously upsetting memories become less distressing. At Vitality Collective, your healing journey is supported with care, empathy, and guidance every step of the way.

Who should not use EMDR therapy?

EMDR therapy is a safe, well-researched treatment that helps individuals process and heal from emotional distress and trauma. It can benefit those dealing with PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, phobias, addictions, grief, low self-esteem, or complex trauma. However, EMDR may not be suitable for individuals with severe psychiatric conditions, recent trauma, or active substance abuse issues. At Vitality Collective, your safety is our priority—our trained therapists will help determine if EMDR is the right approach for your healing journey.

Related Reading: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - Is it right for you?

EMDR Therapy in Chilliwack, Surrey, and Vancouver

At Vitality Collective, EMDR therapy in Chilliwack, Surrey, and Vancouver provides a safe and supportive space for healing, helping you address challenges like trauma, anxiety, and past emotional wounds. Our experienced therapists are dedicated to guiding you through the process with care, so you can feel empowered and find lasting peace. If you have any questions about starting EMDR therapy in Chilliwack, Surrey, or Vancouver, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.