Psychology

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that works on the premise that when a person is distressed, their brain does not process information as it could. It appears as though traumatic memories don’t get processed in the same way, and get ‘stuck’, and can have lasting negative impacts on how an individual functions in their work, relationships and leisure time.

After effective EMDR Therapy, the images, sounds, smells and feelings that may have once triggered an emotionally-charged reaction, do not have that same power. The feelings are no longer ‘re-experienced’ when the memory is brought to mind. The memory is still there, but it is less upsetting.

Therapy can help you gain insight, support, and new strategies for all kinds of life challenges. There are many reasons why people seek out therapy: sudden and immediate changes in their life, such as divorce, bereavement, or changed family or work arrangements, or for their own personal exploration and growth. Others seek therapy for help with more chronic conditions, such as anxiety or depression. Irrespective of the reasons, therapy can provide long-lasting benefits to better equip you with the strategies for dealing with life’s challenges.

Therapy is a tool, like meditation classes, or exercise classes, that serve to improve the way that we bring about change in our lives. Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and some challenges are more successfully dealt with than others. Therapy is usually sought by people who want the expertise of a professional to facilitate their personal development through some of life’s challenges.

You will never be asked to talk about something against your will. It is up to you to decide if you want to tell the therapist something, when you want to tell her, and exactly how much information you are willing to share. Everything you tell the therapist will remain completely confidential.

The aim of therapy is to make you feel better than before. Although during therapy the client may experience intense emotions, by the end of the session most people report a great reduction in their distress, and in the level of disturbance that certain memories can trigger. The therapist is trained is help you feel more in control of your feelings. You will never be asked to leave the consultation room until you feel ready to leave.

Psychological services are available both with and without a referral from a general practitioner (GP). In cases where a GP has referred you on the basis of the GP Mental Health Care Plan (item 2710), you are entitled to a Medicare rebate for a maximum of 20 individual sessions per calendar year.

If you make an appointment with us on your own initiative, without a referral from your doctor, you will need to pay the full cost of the services. If you have private health insurance, your health fund may pay all or some of the fees.

Accepted forms of payment include cash, EFTPOS, Visa, and Bankcard.