Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. Using the detailed protocols and procedures learned in EMDR therapy training sessions, clinicians help clients activate their natural healing processes.
More than 30 positive controlled outcome studies have been done on EMDR therapy. Some of the studies show that 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer have post-traumatic stress disorder after only three 90-minute sessions. Another study, funded by the HMO Kaiser Permanente, found that 100% of the single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple trauma victims no longer were diagnosed with PTSD after only six 50-minute sessions. In another study, 77% of combat veterans were free of PTSD in 12 sessions. There has been so much research on EMDR therapy that it is now recognized as an effective form of treatment for trauma and other disturbing experiences by organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organisation, and the Department of Defence. Given the worldwide recognition as an effective treatment of trauma, you can easily see how EMDR therapy would be effective in treating the “everyday” memories that are the reason people have low self-esteem, feelings of powerlessness, and all the myriad problems that bring them in for therapy. Over 100,000 clinicians throughout the world use the therapy. Millions of people have been treated successfully over the past 25 years.
EMDR therapy is an eight-phase treatment. Eye movements (or other bilateral stimulation) are used during one part of the session. After the client has determined which memory to target first, the client is asked to hold different aspects of that event or thought in mind and to use his eyes to track the therapist’s hand as it moves back and forth across the client’s field of vision. As this happens, for reasons believed by a Harvard researcher to be connected with the biological mechanisms involved in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, internal associations arise, and the clients begin to process the memory and disturbing feelings. In successful EMDR therapy, the meaning of painful events is transformed on an emotional level. For instance, a rape victim shifts from feeling horror and self-disgust to holding the firm belief that, “I survived it and I am strong.” Unlike talk therapy, the insights clients gain in EMDR therapy result not so much from clinician interpretation, but from the client’s own accelerated intellectual and emotional processes. The net effect is that clients conclude EMDR therapy feeling empowered by the very experiences that once debased them. Their wounds have not just closed, they have transformed. As a natural outcome of the EMDR therapeutic process, the clients’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviour are all robust indicators of emotional health and resolution—all without speaking in detail or doing homework used in other therapies (emdr.com).
Diagnoses successfully treated with EMDR Therapy:
· Adolescents with Internet Addiction Disorder (Bae & Kim, 2012).
· Self-esteem (Griffone et al., 2017).
· Depression (Hofmann, 2015, Ostacoli et al., 2018).
· Generalised Anxiety Disorder (Gauvreau & Bouchard, 2008).
· Grief and mourning (Sprang, 2001; Solomon & Rando, 2007).
· Juvenile offenders (Rhoden et al., 2019).
· Migraine headaches (Marcus, 2008).
· Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Bӧhm, et al., 2019).
· Phobias (de Jongh, et al., 2002, 2007).
· Attachment Disorder (Zaccagnino & Cussino, 2013).
· PTSD in children and adolescents (Diehle et al., 2015; de Roos et al., 2017).
· Body Dysmorphic Disorder (Brown et al., 1997).
· Chronic pain (Arias-Suarez et al., 2020).
· Combat-related PTSD (Ahmadi et al., 2015.
· Community disaster (Jarero et al., 2011, Shapiro & Laub, 2015).
· Conduct problems and self-esteem (Soberman et al., 2002).
· Eating disorders (Balbo et al., 2017).
· Immigrants / Refugees PTSD (Acarturk et al., 2016; Yurtserver et al., 2018).
· Medically unexplained physical symptoms (van Rood & de Roos, 2009).
· Panic Disorder (Faretta, 2013; Faretta & Leeds, 2017; Fernandez & Faretta, 2007).
· Tinnitus (Phillips et al., 2019)
(Copyright 1990-2021 EMDR Institute & Francine Shapiro, PhD.)
Some proof:
Marcus, S., Marquis, P. & Sakai, C. (1997). Controlled study of treatment of PTSD using EMDR in an HMO setting. Psychotherapy, 34, 307-315. Funded by Kaiser Permanente. Results show that 100% of single-trauma and 80% of multiple-trauma survivors were no longer diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after six 50-minute sessions (emdr.com.au).
Kemp M., Drummond P., & McDermott B. (2010). A wait-list controlled pilot study of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms from motor vehicle accidents. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 15, 5-25. All participants initially met two or more PTSD criteria. After EMDR treatment, this decreased to 25% in the EMDR group but remained at 100% in the wait-list group (emdr.com.au).
Services
Counselling
Trauma Counselling
Life Coaching
When people become involved in the change-making process and have a sense of ownership about what is happening in their lives, positive, sustainable, and ongoing changes can be achieved.
I work from a trauma-infomed, person-centred, solution-focussed, strengths-based, recovery-oriented approach.
I value assisting people to identify and achi
When people become involved in the change-making process and have a sense of ownership about what is happening in their lives, positive, sustainable, and ongoing changes can be achieved.
I work from a trauma-infomed, person-centred, solution-focussed, strengths-based, recovery-oriented approach.
I value assisting people to identify and achieve their goals.
The support I provide will be tailored to your needs, allowing you to direct the pace, scope and extent of your change plan.
Some of the counselling modalities I use include EMDR, Solution-Focussed Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
"An unexamined life is not worth living" (Plato)”. “Only in striving to come to know ourselves and to understand ourselves do our lives have any meaning or value (Socrates).”
Life Coaching
Trauma Counselling
Life Coaching
We can be our own worst enemies – holding ourselves back, replaying negative scripts, repeating negative behaviours, doubting our own abilities.
Are you tired of constantly thinking negative thoughts?
Do you wish you could discover purpose and a sense of direction in your life?
Do you feel you are stuck and can’t make change?
Do you feel str
We can be our own worst enemies – holding ourselves back, replaying negative scripts, repeating negative behaviours, doubting our own abilities.
Are you tired of constantly thinking negative thoughts?
Do you wish you could discover purpose and a sense of direction in your life?
Do you feel you are stuck and can’t make change?
Do you feel stressed and anxious most of the time?
Do you look on other people who seem happy and relaxed and wonder how they do it?
These negative behaviours and thought processes are learned behaviours. With help, they can be unlearned.
"An adventurous life does not necessarily mean climbing mountains, swimming with sharks, or jumping off cliffs. It means having the courage to examine your life and make changes for a more enriched life."
Trauma Counselling
Trauma Counselling
Trauma Counselling
The human response to psychological trauma is one of the most important public health problems in the world. Traumatic events such as family and social violence, rapes and assaults, disasters, wars, accidents, and predatory violence confront people with such horror and threat that it may temporarily or permanently alter their capacity to
The human response to psychological trauma is one of the most important public health problems in the world. Traumatic events such as family and social violence, rapes and assaults, disasters, wars, accidents, and predatory violence confront people with such horror and threat that it may temporarily or permanently alter their capacity to cope, their biological threat perception, and their concepts of themselves. Traumatized individuals frequently develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a disorder in which the memory of the traumatic event comes to dominate the victims' consciousness, depleting their lives of meaning and pleasure. Trauma does not only affect psychological functioning: for example, a study of almost 10 000 patients in a medical setting reported that persons with histories of severe child maltreatment showed a 4-12 times greater risk for developing alcoholism, depression, drug abuse, and suicide attempts, a 2-4 times greater risk for smoking, higher than 50 sex partners, sexually transmitted disease, a 1.4-1.6 times greater risk for obesity, and a 1.6-2.9 times greater risk for heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, skeletal fractures, hepatitis, stroke, diabetes, and liver disease (Bessel van der Kolk, https://dx.doi.org/10.31887%2FDCNS.2000.2.1%2Fbvdkolk).
Trauma Informed Practice is a strengths-based framework, which is founded on five core principles – safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment as well as respect for diversity. Trauma informed services do no harm i.e., they do not re-traumatise or blame victims for their efforts to manage their traumatic reactions, and they embrace a message of hope and optimism that recovery is possible. I see trauma survivors as unique individuals who have experienced extremely abnormal situations and have managed as best as they could.
I provide safety from harm and re-traumatisation and emphasise strength building and skill acquisition rather than symptom management. I foster true collaboration and power sharing between those seeking help and myself.
I believe we need to embed trauma informed practice within all health and human service systems to provide appropriate trauma-informed services to those needing them. The provision of trauma-informed services must also be supported by trauma specific services, which provide specific interventions to address the consequences of trauma. Studies show that by using EMDR therapy, people can more quickly experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. Of course, if clients do not want to try EMDR therapy, I am also trained in other modalities that have also been proven to help people manage their trauma symptoms such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focussed Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Marcus, S., Marquis, P. & Sakai, C. (1997). Controlled study of treatment of PTSD using EMDR in an HMO setting. Psychotherapy, 34, 307-315. Funded by Kaiser Permanente. Results show that 100% of single-trauma and 80% of multiple-trauma survivors were no longer diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after six 50-minute sessions (emdr.com.au).
Edmond, T., Rubin, A., & Wambach, K. (1999). The effectiveness of EMDR with adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Social Work Research 23, 103-116. EMDR treatment resulted in fewer clinical symptoms on all four of the outcome measures at the three-month follow-up, compared to those in the routine treatment condition. The EMDR group also improved on all standardized measures at 18 months follow up (Edmond & Rubin, 2004, Journal of Child Sexual Abuse) (emdr.com.au).
Depression & Anxiety
Depression & Anxiety
Depression & Anxiety
While we all feel sad, moody or low from time to time, some people experience these feelings intensely, for long periods of time (weeks, months or even years) and sometimes without any apparent reason. Depression is more than just a low mood – it's a serious condition that has an impact on both physical and mental health.
Depression affec
While we all feel sad, moody or low from time to time, some people experience these feelings intensely, for long periods of time (weeks, months or even years) and sometimes without any apparent reason. Depression is more than just a low mood – it's a serious condition that has an impact on both physical and mental health.
Depression affects how people think, feel and act, makes it more difficult to manage from day to day and interferes with study, work and relationships. A person may be depressed if for more than two weeks they have felt sad, down or miserable most of the time or have lost interest or pleasure in most of their usual activities, and have experienced negative physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms as well. It’s important to note, everyone experiences some of these symptoms from time to time and it may not necessarily mean a person is depressed. Equally, not every person who is experiencing depression will have all of these symptoms.
People with anxiety disorders may be unable to stop worrying about seemingly unimportant things, and they can perceive situations as much worse than they actually are. Anxiety interferes with the enjoyment of life and disrupts work, relationships and self-perceptions.
Anxiety can affect your ability to concentrate, sleep and carry out ordinary tasks at work, home or school. People with anxiety disorders often feel compelled to avoid stressful situations and in extreme cases avoid going out altogether. Physical symptoms are common and include shortness of breath, a pounding heart and trembling hands.
These are, however, treatable conditions.
Depression, fear, and anxiety are some of the most common and uncomfortable emotions that we can experience in our lives. Through counselling I am able to help you recover the motivation, perspective, and joy that you once had in your life.
“Your mental health is a priority. Your happiness is an essential. Your self-care is a necessity.”
Anger Management
Depression & Anxiety
Depression & Anxiety
Anger is a normal, healthy response to any physical or psychological threat however it is rarely productive in the long term.
Frequently feeling angry and frustrated is a sign that something in your life is out of balance and can also cause depression.
When we try to deal with a problem with angry behaviour, the anger itself often become
Anger is a normal, healthy response to any physical or psychological threat however it is rarely productive in the long term.
Frequently feeling angry and frustrated is a sign that something in your life is out of balance and can also cause depression.
When we try to deal with a problem with angry behaviour, the anger itself often becomes the problem.
Anger management is about knowing the triggers and early warning signs of anger and learning techniques to calm down before the situation gets out of control.
Anger management counselling can help you take control of your anger, and live a fulfilling, balanced life.
"Holding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die." – Buddha
Parenting
Depression & Anxiety
Parenting
Parenting can be hard work; it's okay to ask for help and help is available. I can teach you how to use positive parenting to raise an amazing, emotionally intelligent, child. Learning and implementing positive parenting can help you feel more confident and less stressed about raising children and make raising children and teenagers easi
Parenting can be hard work; it's okay to ask for help and help is available. I can teach you how to use positive parenting to raise an amazing, emotionally intelligent, child. Learning and implementing positive parenting can help you feel more confident and less stressed about raising children and make raising children and teenagers easier and more enjoyable for both you and the kids. Positive parenting is focused on developing a strong, deeply committed relationship between parent and child based on communication and mutual respect.
As we are developing, our life experiences affect the brain in good and sometimes not so good ways which can present as disruptive behaviours in children and teenagers. I can teach you positive ways to manage these behaviours and help you teach your children better ways to handle their feelings and behaviours.
I am a certified facilitator of the Circle of Security Parenting program which is used by the Department of Child Safety.
I am also trained in facilitating the PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) parenting program and the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention parenting programs.
Parenting programs that I am trained in include Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Tuning in to Teens, and Circle of Security Parenting (COSP).
"At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child's success is the positive involvement of parents." Jane D. Hull
Testimonials and Information
Testimonials
Renee has been an absolute Godsend. I have suffered with anxiety for many years and have tried multiple types of therapy. Renee is the first therapist to help me find the root of my issues/trauma and with EMDR therapy has managed to alleviate triggers and panic attacks.
Her kind, approachable, easy to talk to nature has allowed me to trust the process and become a better person. Renee has also helped with parenting and relationship building strategies.
I recommend Renee for anyone who needs help with trauma, anxiety, and relationship building. (Female, 32, 2023)
Excellent service provided by the proprietor Renée. I found the EMDR therapy fantastic. It helped me to rationalise the trauma that I suffered from my past. The treatment and guidance by Renée helped me to formulate strategies to deal with the issues that came up. I found that she was empathetic, understanding and very professional. I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking help with dealing with their mental health problems. 5 stars. (male, 35, 2022).
Renée is a great listener, brilliant at what she does, and I highly recommend her (Cal, March 2022).
Renée helped me with some different parenting strategies to improve my relationship with my children. She is warm, empathetic and non judgmental. She offers concise insights but gives you the space to say what you need to say. Really down to earth, warm person (Greg, March, 2021).
I sought the help of Renée during an extremely difficult time, where I knew I had to make changes but wasn’t sure how to actually make it happen. Renée was able to help me find the motivation I needed and the support to make these life changes. I found Renée to be warm, empathetic, extremely easy to talk to and a wealth of knowledge. I highly recommend Renée and found she has set me on a path to self improvement and motivated me to be the best person that I can be (Deb, August, 2020).
Renée really helped me un-cloud so much of the confusion I had in my head and genuinely helped me get my life back on the right track. She was professional, friendly, and very understanding and I would highly recommend her (Stuart, June, 2020).
Renée has helped me get back on track to a positive mindset in such a short time. She is so easy to talk to and has a lot of helpful techniques. You leave a better person. She genuinely cares about your health and wellbeing (Talissa, May, 2020).
A caring professional with the qualifications and experience to help you enhance your happiness and wellbeing and strengthen and form positive relationships (Erin, January, 2019).
I felt that I needed to check with Renée on how to overcome some niggling issues from the past that were holding me back from my new plans (and new chapter) of my life. I was over analysing some points and not really knowing how to look at them differently. I knew I had to change those thought patterns but was making it way more complicated for myself than it needed to be and therefore making excuses why I couldn't move forward. Renée gave me some suggestions, rules and techniques to follow which were really very simple (Gail, Brisbane, May 2019).
“Better than Headspace” (14 year old male, August, 2019).
Qualifications
I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Counselling. I am experienced in using a variety of counselling modalities including Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Solution-Focussed Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.
I am a certified facilitator of the Circle of Security Parenting program and the Rage anger management program, both well-known strategies.
I have a Degree in Life Coaching from the Life Coaching College which trains to the level of the International Coaching Federation.