EMDR Therapy in Calgary: A Personal and Professional Perspective
Hi! My name is Simone Swenson and I am a Registered Psychologist in Calgary, Alberta.
About ten years ago, I began my own therapy journey.
I grew up in Jamaica, and having a parent who was a police officer meant that my family and I were more visible and, at times, more vulnerable to being targeted by criminal elements. There was one situation in particular that left a deep imprint on my nervous system. The fear lingered long after the event itself, to the point where the idea of living alone felt terrifying.
When I later moved to Canada, I initially felt okay. That changed in 2017 when I was living alone in a small town. During the day, I functioned well. At night, fear would take over. I was already in therapy at the time, working through the loss of a loved one, and I briefly mentioned how difficult nights had become. My therapist suggested EMDR therapy as a way to address the trauma underlying these fears.
At the same time, I was in graduate school. Not long after graduating, I made the decision to pursue formal training in EMDR. Quite simply, EMDR gave me the freedom to live again.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy that helps individuals process traumatic or distressing life experiences that continue to impact their emotional wellbeing (Shapiro, 2018).
Trauma can overwhelm the brain’s natural information-processing system. When this happens, memories may remain unprocessed and stored with the original emotions, body sensations, and beliefs attached to the event. EMDR therapy helps the brain reprocess these experiences so they can be integrated in a way that feels less distressing and more adaptive.
EMDR is widely recognized as an effective trauma therapy and is recommended by international organizations for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and related conditions (APA, 2017; WHO, 2013).
My Experience With EMDR
I will be honest. At first, I was not convinced. EMDR sounded questionable to me. The idea that bilateral stimulation could meaningfully change how trauma lived in my body felt hard to believe.
After my first EMDR session, I noticed something unexpected. I felt lighter. The fear of being alone in my home did not disappear entirely, but it no longer felt overwhelming.
By the third session, I could recall the traumatic experience without being flooded by fear. The memory was still there, but it no longer controlled my nervous system. For the first time in years, I felt safer in my own space.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
EMDR therapy follows an eight-phase, structured approach that emphasizes safety, preparation, and pacing. During EMDR sessions, a client is guided to briefly focus on a distressing memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, alternating taps, or sounds.
Research suggests that bilateral stimulation supports the brain’s natural ability to process memories, similar to how memories are processed during REM sleep (Shapiro, 2018; van der Kolk, 2014).
Over time, the emotional intensity of the memory decreases, negative beliefs shift, and the body no longer reacts as though the trauma is happening in the present. EMDR does not require clients to repeatedly recount traumatic events in detail, which can make it more tolerable for many people.
Who Is EMDR Therapy For?
EMDR therapy is not appropriate for everyone at every stage of healing. Research indicates it is particularly effective for individuals experiencing:
Posttraumatic stress disorder
Single-incident trauma
Childhood trauma and attachment wounds
Anxiety or panic linked to past experiences
Complicated grief and loss
Medical or accident-related trauma
EMDR can also be adapted for complex trauma when appropriate stabilization and resourcing are in place (Courtois & Ford, 2016).
EMDR Therapy at Healing Journey Collective in Calgary, Alberta
As a registered psychologist in Calgary, Alberta, I am advanced trained in EMDR therapy and integrate this modality thoughtfully into my work. My own experience as a client informs my respect for the depth of healing EMDR can offer and the care required to use it ethically.
If you are seeking EMDR therapy in Calgary or are curious whether this approach may be right for you, I invite you to reach out and connect.