EMDR Therapy for Trauma and PTSD in Port Moody & Across BC
Sarah Susswein is a Registered Clinical Counsellor offering EMDR therapy and trauma counselling for adults, including neurodivergent folks with ADHD, Autism, and AuDHD, in Port Moody and virtually across British Columbia.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps people process distressing memories and reduce the emotional distress associated with traumatic experiences. I offer EMDR to help clients work through trauma-related difficulties, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
We hear the word trauma a lot, but what makes an experience traumatic? Difficult experiences are part of being human, yet their emotional impact can last long after an event has passed. Sometimes, we recover with time, support, and self-care. Other times, distressing memories continue to affect our sense of safety, relationships, sleep, mood, and daily life.
For some people, talking about what happened can feel overwhelming or like reliving the experience. EMDR offers another way to work with distressing memories without requiring you to describe every detail of what happened.
Developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR follows a structured approach that combines psychotherapy with bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, alternating sounds, or self-tapping.
How Does EMDR Help With Trauma?
EMDR helps you process distressing memories and reduce their emotional impact. Even when you're not consciously thinking about past experiences, unresolved trauma can continue to influence how you feel, respond to situations, make decisions, and relate to others. Sometimes, you may notice patterns or reactions that don't seem to make sense or no longer serve you, without understanding where they come from. EMDR can help you process the underlying distress associated with past experiences, reduce their influence on your present-day life, and create space for new ways of responding that better align with who you are and how you want to live.
During EMDR, I guide you through a structured process that includes preparing coping resources, identifying treatment goals, and working with distressing memories at a pace that feels manageable. Bilateral stimulation may involve guided eye movements or self-tapping to support the processing of memories.
I will not touch you during EMDR. If we use tapping, you can tap your own legs or shoulders, or we can choose another form of bilateral stimulation that feels comfortable for you. I will discuss your preferences and sensory needs with you before we begin.
EMDR does not erase memories or make you forget what happened. Instead, as memories are processed, they may become less vivid and emotionally distressing, making it easier to think about past experiences with objectivity without feeling as though they are happening all over again. Throughout the process, I prioritize preparation, consent, and your sense of safety.
Who Can Benefit From EMDR Therapy?
EMDR may help you if you experience PTSD, trauma-related anxiety, distressing memories, or other difficulties connected to adverse life experiences. It may also help you explore painful experiences that contribute to persistent shame, fear, or negative beliefs about yourself.
I may use EMDR to help clients work through:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Processing traumatic memories and reducing trauma-related distress.
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD): Addressing the impact of prolonged or repeated traumatic experiences.
Anxiety and panic: Exploring distressing experiences that contribute to ongoing fear or anxiety.
Depression and shame: Exploring painful experiences that may contribute to negative beliefs about yourself.
Childhood and relational trauma: Processing difficult experiences that continue to affect relationships, emotional well-being, or self-worth.
EMDR is not the right fit for everyone or every concern. I will work with you to explore whether EMDR is appropriate for your experiences, needs, and current circumstances.
EMDR Therapy for Neurodivergent Adults
I offer neurodiversity-affirming EMDR for neurodivergent folks with ADHD, Autism, or AuDHD (co-occurring ADHD and Autism). I can adapt the pace, communication, sensory input, and structure of sessions to help make therapy feel collaborative, accessible, and manageable.
As a neurodivergent counsellor myself, I understand that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work for everyone. I bring this understanding into my sessions by considering individual differences in attention, sensory processing, communication, and emotional experiences.
In my experience, neurodivergent folks can sometimes process distressing memories more quickly than expected. I believe that being deeply attuned to emotions and sensory experiences can be a valuable resource during EMDR, helping some folks connect with and process experiences in ways that feel natural to them. Everyone is different, and I adapt my approach to each person's needs rather than making assumptions about how they will process trauma.
I offer neurodiversity-affirming EMDR in person in Port Moody and virtually across British Columbia.
Learn more about ADHD and Autism-Affirming Counselling.
EMDR for ADHD, Autism and AuDHD: What Can Be Adapted?
I tailor EMDR to your individual needs rather than assuming that all neurodivergent folks need the same adaptations. We can explore what helps you feel comfortable and supported, including differences in attention, sensory sensitivities, communication preferences, and emotional processing.
For example, some folks may prefer shorter explanations, regular check-ins, or the flexibility to move between EMDR and talk therapy within a session, depending on what feels most helpful in the moment. Some may prefer a more structured approach, such as working through experiences chronologically or knowing what to expect at each stage. Some may appreciate a combination of these approaches. Of course, everyone is different, and these preferences aren't exclusive to any one neurotype. I work collaboratively with you to find an approach that respects your needs, preferences, and natural way of processing experiences.
You are also welcome to take your shoes off, sit cross-legged (criss-cross applesauce!), change positions, or find a posture that feels comfortable during our sessions. You don't have to sit perfectly still or position yourself in a particular way to participate in therapy. I want you to feel at ease and able to show up as yourself.
I can also adapt bilateral stimulation to accommodate sensory sensitivities and preferences. We can discuss what feels comfortable for you and adjust the process as needed. My goal is to make EMDR feel collaborative, flexible, and respectful of your individual needs.
EMDR is a treatment for trauma-related distress, not for neurodivergence. My goal is to help you process difficult experiences while respecting your neurotype and individual preferences.
EMDR vs. the Rewind Technique
I offer EMDR and the Rewind Technique as approaches to consider when working with traumatic memories. Both can help you work with distressing experiences without having to describe the event in detail, but they use different methods.
EMDR uses a structured process that involves bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or self-tapping, while you work with targeted memories. Depending on your experiences and needs, EMDR may be appropriate for complex trauma, childhood or relational trauma, PTSD, complex PTSD (C-PTSD), or single-incident trauma.
The Rewind Technique, also known as the Visual-Kinaesthetic (V/K) Dissociation Technique, uses visualization and a process of dissociation to help you approach distressing memories indirectly in a relaxed state. In my experience, the Rewind Technique can resolve distress associated with single-incident traumas and phobias in as little as one session, although the number of sessions needed varies depending on the individual and their circumstances.
I can explain both approaches and help you explore which may be most appropriate for your needs and treatment goals.
Trauma Counselling in Port Moody and Across British Columbia
You do not have to navigate the effects of trauma alone. Through trauma counselling, I can help you work toward feeling safer in the present, developing a different relationship with painful memories, and improving your emotional well-being and relationships.
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with EMDR and Rewind training. I offer trauma counselling in Port Moody, BC, and virtual sessions across British Columbia. My approach recognizes that each person's experiences and needs are different, including the needs of neurodivergent clients.
EMDR may not be suitable for everyone, so I will work with you to discuss your concerns, explore your options, and determine whether this approach is a good fit for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
This varies depending on what you're processing and where you’re at in your healing journey. A single, specific incident may take as little as one session. While more complex or longstanding trauma can take longer. We'll discuss a general sense of timeline together once we know what we're working with.
Is EMDR covered by extended health benefits in BC?
Some extended health benefit plans in British Columbia cover counselling that includes EMDR when provided by an eligible Registered Clinical Counsellor. Coverage varies by provider and plan, so I recommend checking your policy directly to confirm your eligibility and available benefits.
What's the difference between EMDR and the Rewind Technique?
Both are evidence-based approaches that do not require you to describe your trauma in detail. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sound) to process targeted memories one at a time, paying attention to emotions and physical sensations. Many clients find that processing one memory also eases the distress connected to related memories, and can be especially helpful for complex trauma. Rewind Technique, also known as the visual-kinaesthetic dissociation technique, is particularly well-suited for single-incident trauma or phobias, often resolving in as little as one session. It involves deep relaxation and does not require experiencing difficult emotions or associated physical sensations. I can help you figure out which approach fits best.
Does EMDR work for ADHD, Autism, or AuDHD?
EMDR may help you process trauma-related distress, including painful experiences associated with years of misunderstanding, criticism, shame, or feeling different. It does not treat neurodivergence. I can adapt our sessions to accommodate your individual attention and processing preferences.
Does EMDR take longer for neurodivergent clients?
Not necessarily. In my experience, many neurodivergent clients process more quickly than typical EMDR timelines. I believe a heightened sensitivity to emotions and physical sensations, common in neurodivergent folks, can actually support the processing work rather than slow it down.