Hi there, I'm Vern Kehler. If you’re looking for EMDR therapy in Winnipeg or a nearby EMDR therapist, you’re in the right place. I specialize in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, an evidence-based approach designed to help process and resolve distressing memories, negative self-beliefs, and emotional blocks.
At Empower Counselling Services, we’re here to support your healing journey. Take your time exploring our site, learning about EMDR therapy in Winnipeg, and getting to know how it can help. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to help.
Feeling Nervous About Starting EMDR Therapy in Winnipeg?
If you’re considering EMDR therapy in Winnipeg but are feeling nervous about starting, you’re not alone. Many people have concerns before their first session—especially if they’ve never experienced this type of therapy before. It’s completely understandable to feel uncertain, especially when working through difficult memories.
📢 Did You Know?
✔️ This therapy is a collaborative process—you won’t be pushed to do anything you’re not ready for.
✔️ Sessions move at a pace that feels safe for you.
✔️ You don’t need to relive painful experiences in full detail.
Many clients have shared that, despite initial hesitation, they feel relieved, lighter, and more at ease after beginning EMDR therapy. This process is designed to help your brain and body heal in a way that feels safe and manageable.
If you’re feeling unsure, I encourage you to reach out with any questions—we’ll take it one step at a time, together.
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What is EMDR Therapy? (And How It Helps You Heal)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy that helps the brain process and integrate distressing experiences. Through a standardized protocol, EMDR works by stimulating the brain’s natural healing mechanisms, allowing painful memories and emotions to be reprocessed in a way that reduces their impact.
Many people seek EMDR therapy in Winnipeg to help with a variety of challenges, including ✔️ trauma, ✔️ PTSD and C-PTSD, ✔️ negative self-beliefs, ✔️ anxiety, and ✔️ unresolved emotional distress. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses on helping your brain reorganize how distressing memories are stored, so they no longer hold the same emotional intensity.
How EMDR Works
EMDR therapy follows an eight-phase protocol, beginning with history-taking and preparation before moving into the reprocessing of distressing memories. The core of EMDR involves bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or pulsers held in your hands), which helps the brain integrate past experiences in a way that reduces their emotional intensity. This process allows the nervous system to update old memories so they no longer feel overwhelming. Clients often experience a shift in perspective, allowing them to replace negative self-beliefs with more adaptive, empowering self-beliefs.
Bilateral Stimulation: A Key Part of EMDR Therapy
Bilateral stimulation (BLS) is a key component of EMDR therapy that involves alternating stimulation of the left and right sides of the body—typically through guided eye movements, alternating taps, or pulsers that you hold in your hands. This process is believed to mimic REM sleep, the stage of sleep where the brain naturally processes and integrates information.
The Purpose of Bilateral Stimulation (BLS):
✔️ Activates both hemispheres of the brain for better memory integration.
✔️ Reduces emotional distress and helps regulate the nervous system.
✔️ Encourages the brain to reframe distressing experiences in a way that promotes healing.
✔️ Allows traumatic memories to feel less intense and overwhelming.
During EMDR, clients often find that distressing memories become less vivid and emotionally charged, allowing them to gain new perspectives and emotional relief. Many also report physical sensations such as tension or tightness easing, reinforcing the idea that trauma is processed not just in the mind but also in the body.
Key Steps of EMDR:
- History-Taking & Assessment – Identifying past distressing events.
- Preparation – Teaching coping strategies for emotional regulation.
- Assessment – Targeting specific memories for processing.
- Desensitization – Using bilateral stimulation to process memories.
- Installation – Reinforcing positive beliefs.
- Body Scan – Identifying residual physical distress.
- Closure – Ensuring emotional stability.
- Reevaluation – Assessing progress and next steps.
During EMDR, many clients experience reduced distress, a shift in perspective, and an ability to replace negative self-beliefs with more adaptive, empowering beliefs.
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The Mind-Body Connection in EMDR Therapy
Renowned trauma expert Dr. Bessel van der Kolk explains that trauma isn’t just stored in the mind—it’s also held in the body. Unresolved trauma can manifest as:
✔️ Chronic tension or tightness.
✔️ Digestive issues or nausea.
✔️ Dizziness or fatigue.
✔️ A general sense of unease.
Through bilateral stimulation, EMDR therapy helps reprocess distressing experiences, reducing physical symptoms of trauma. Many clients report feeling a greater sense of relief, calmness, and safety in their bodies after EMDR sessions.
✅ Discover how EMDR can support your healing. Reach out to us today.
Why Choose EMDR Therapy?
✔️ Helps resolve trauma, anxiety, and negative self-beliefs.
✔️ Works faster than traditional talk therapy for many people.
✔️ Backed by research and recommended by leading experts and health organizations.
✔️ Focuses on reprocessing memories, so they no longer hold emotional intensity.
Many people seek EMDR therapy in Winnipeg to address a range of challenges, including past trauma, stress, and limiting self-beliefs. Working with a qualified EMDR therapist in Winnipeg can help guide you through this healing process.
Feeling Seen, Heard, and Understood in Therapy
Many clients share that they feel truly seen, heard, and understood in our work together. This deep sense of connection and attunement helps your nervous system feel safe enough to do the hard work of trauma healing. When your body recognizes that it is in a compassionate and supportive space, it becomes easier to process distressing experiences and move toward genuine healing. You don’t have to do this alone—I'm here to guide and support you through every step of your journey.
Q&A: Common Questions About EMDR Therapy in Winnipeg
Q: How long does EMDR therapy in Winnipeg take?
A: Sessions typically last 1-2 hours, and the total number of sessions depends on individual needs. Some people experience improvements within a few sessions, while others benefit from a longer process.
Q: Do I have to talk about my past in detail?
A: No. Unlike traditional therapy, EMDR does not require detailed discussions about past experiences. It focuses on how memories are processed in the brain rather than revisiting events in-depth.
Q: Is EMDR therapy safe?
A: Yes. EMDR is recognized by leading mental health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA), as a safe and effective treatment.
Q: Can EMDR help with anxiety and self-doubt?
A: Yes! EMDR is effective in addressing limiting self-beliefs, emotional blocks, and stress-related concerns.
Q: What if I feel overwhelmed during EMDR?
A: Your EMDR therapist will introduce grounding strategies to ensure emotional stability throughout the process. Sessions are structured to move at your pace.
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Case Study Example: Overcoming Negative Self-Beliefs with EMDR
Client Background: A client struggling with persistent feelings of unworthiness, self-doubt, and negative self-beliefs seeks EMDR therapy. These negative self-beliefs stemmed from past experiences of criticism and emotional neglect, leading to difficulty in personal and professional relationships.
EMDR Process:
- Identifying Negative Self-Belief: Through guided exploration, the client recognized the core negative belief: "I am not good enough."
- Bilateral Stimulation: The client engaged in sets of eye movements while recalling distressing memories linked to this belief.
- Reprocessing & Cognitive Shift: Over multiple sessions, the emotional charge associated with the belief decreased, and a new, positive self-belief—"I am capable and worthy."—emerged.
Outcome: After completing EMDR therapy, the client reported increased confidence, reduced self-doubt, and improved relationships. The distress that once accompanied past memories no longer had control over their present.
✅ Learn More About How EMDR Can Transform Negative Self-Beliefs
Leading Experts Recommend EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy is recognized and endorsed by numerous national and international health organizations, including:
EMDR therapy is endorsements include: ✔ World Health Organization (WHO) ✔ American Psychological Association (APA) ✔ U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ✔ United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) ✔ Veterans Affairs Canada
These organizations recognize EMDR as an effective treatment for trauma, anxiety, and other mental health concerns, based on extensive clinical research.
What Professionals Say About EMDR Therapy
🧠 Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score, states:
"EMDR therapy helps people let go of the past and regain a sense of agency over their own lives."
Read more: Bessel van der Kolk on EMDR
🌿 Dr. Gabor Maté, trauma expert and bestselling author, includes EMDR in his recommended treatment approaches:
"There are many ways to address pain and trauma effectively, including EMDR."
Read more: Gabor Maté on Trauma & Healing
🔬 Dr. Francine Shapiro, the founder of EMDR therapy, explains:
"EMDR therapy enables individuals to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. The brain’s natural healing process can be activated through this structured approach."
Read more: Francine Shapiro on EMDR
Get Started with EMDR Therapy in Winnipeg Today
You don’t have to navigate your struggles alone. EMDR therapy in Winnipeg can help you build resilience, improve relationships, and heal from past experiences. Working with a skilled nearby EMDR therapist ensures that you receive the support you need throughout your healing process.
📞 Ready to take the first step? Contact us today to explore next steps.
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