Vern Kehler is currently accepting new clients for both in-person and virtual daytime and evening appointments.
Healing isn’t about forgetting — it’s about freeing yourself from the pain that keeps getting in the way of the quality of life you've always deserved.
Have you ever noticed how certain memories still feel alive in your body, even years later?
A sound, a smell, or a situation can suddenly pull you back into the past — your heart races, your stomach tightens, and it feels like it’s happening all over again.
EMDR therapy in Winnipeg helps your brain naturally process distressing memories, leading to deep and lasting healing.
I’m Vern Kehler, and I offer trauma-informed EMDR therapy and somatic integration in a compassionate, supportive space — helping you feel safe, calm, and present again.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based approach that helps people recover from trauma, distressing memories, and other overwhelming experiences.
EMDR focuses on how traumatic memories are stored in the brain and body. When these memories remain “stuck,” they can cause ongoing emotional and physical distress, even long after the event has passed or the relationship has ended.
Through gentle, guided eye movements or bilateral stimulation (such as tapping or sound), EMDR helps your brain safely reprocess those memories — releasing the emotional charge they carry.
Over time, the memories lose their intensity. You can recall what happened without reliving it over and over again or being triggered by cognitive or physical memories.
Learn more about EMDR through the official organizations that guide its practice: EMDRIA and EMDR Canada, the leading homes of EMDR training, research, and standards of care.
How EMDR Therapy in Winnipeg Can Help
EMDR therapy has been extensively researched and is endorsed by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and Veterans Affairs Canada for the treatment of trauma and PTSD.
But EMDR isn’t only for single event trauma — it can also help with:
- Complex Trauma and CPTSD
- Childhood Emotional Neglect or Abuse
- Grief and Complicated Loss
- Phobias or Panic Attacks
- Low Self-Esteem and Self-Worth Wounds
- Car Accidents or Medical Trauma
- Anxiety and Chronic Stress
- Trauma-Related Depression
- Relationship and Attachment Challenges
In other words, EMDR can help you find relief from any negative experience that still feels “alive” inside you.
It’s often used alongside trauma-informed talk therapy, anxiety therapy, or self-esteem therapy to support healing from multiple angles.
Many people begin EMDR therapy in Winnipeg after realizing that talk therapy alone isn’t resolving the emotional charge behind their experiences. That’s because trauma isn’t just stored in thoughts — it’s held in the body and nervous system.
Read more: Healing Trauma by Integrating Mind, Body, and Nervous System
Why EMDR Works
EMDR doesn’t erase memories — it changes how your brain stores and responds to them.
By activating both hemispheres of the brain while recalling distressing memories, EMDR helps move those experiences from a “stuck” emotional loop into a more adaptive, integrated memory.
If you’ve ever felt that talk therapy helps you understand what happened but doesn’t fully resolve the trauma, you’re not alone.
Learn more: Why EMDR Works When Talk Therapy Feels Stuck
Why Choose EMDR Therapy in Winnipeg
- Evidence-Based Care → EMDR is one of the most well-researched trauma treatments available today.
- Safe and Structured → Every step is designed to help you remain grounded and in control.
- Tailored to You → EMDR is integrated with talk therapy, somatic awareness, and mindfulness for holistic healing.
- Lasting Change → EMDR helps your brain truly reprocess what happened — not just cope, but heal.
Integrating EMDR With Other Therapies
At Empower Counselling Services, EMDR therapy may be combined with:
- Talk Therapy → to strengthen understanding and self-awareness.
- Somatic Integration → to reconnect with your body and sense of safety.
- Mindfulness Practices → to support emotional regulation and nervous system balance.
- Anxiety Therapy → to reduce worry and restore inner peace.
- Self-Esteem Therapy → to rebuild confidence and release old patterns of self-doubt.
This holistic approach ensures your healing journey is comprehensive and compassionate.
What to Expect in EMDR Therapy
Your EMDR sessions are structured, yet flexible — always paced according to your comfort and readiness.
- Before EMDR
You and your therapist take time to help you build resources and resilience for the trauma healing journey, build trust, clarify goals, and learn grounding tools to help you stay centered and safe. - During EMDR
Your therapist guides you through eye movements or bilateral stimulation while you focus gently on a specific memory or image. This allows your brain and body to naturally complete an “unfinished” healing response. - After EMDR
Many clients describe the memory as still accessible but no longer painful. It feels more distant, less charged. You may notice you respond differently to triggers, feel more emotionally balanced, and experience a deeper sense of peace.
Is EMDR Therapy Right for You?
You might benefit from EMDR therapy if:
- You’ve experienced trauma or distressing events that still affect you.
- You find yourself easily triggered or emotionally reactive.
- You’ve tried talk therapy but still feel “stuck.”
- You’re ready for a structured, evidence-based approach to deep healing.
Learn more: Starting EMDR Therapy: Common Fears, Myths & What to Expect
Reprocessing Trauma Safely, One Step at a Time
Sometimes your mind knows you’re safe — but your body hasn’t caught up.
EMDR helps bridge that gap, guiding your brain and body to release what’s been held inside for too long.
Through gentle, guided movements, EMDR therapy helps you heal from trauma, anxiety, and painful memories — so they no longer control your present.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy
- Does EMDR really work?
Yes. Decades of research show EMDR effectively treats PTSD, trauma, and distressing experiences. Many clients experience noticeable relief within a few sessions. - Is EMDR safe?
Yes. EMDR is a structured, therapist-guided process. You remain fully in control and can pause at any time. - Can EMDR be done online?
Yes. EMDR therapy can be provided safely and effectively through secure online sessions, allowing you to access care from anywhere in Winnipeg and across Manitoba. - How long does EMDR take?
It varies for each person, depending on your goals and the nature of your experiences. Some clients feel relief quickly; others benefit from gradual reprocessing that takes place over time.
Begin EMDR Therapy in Winnipeg
Healing is possible.
EMDR therapy in Winnipeg offers a path to help your mind and body release what’s been holding you back — so you can move forward with calm, confidence, and self-trust.
You don’t have to keep reliving the past.
Reach out today to learn more about EMDR therapy in Winnipeg and begin your journey toward lasting healing and peace.
About Empower Counselling Services – EMDR Therapy in Winnipeg
Empower Counselling Services Winnipeg provides compassionate, trauma-informed EMDR therapy and somatic integration for adults in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Both in-person sessions at our Winnipeg office and online EMDR therapy are available for your convenience and accessibility.
You deserve to feel well and experience joy and freedom. It's possible. Reach out today by submitting a Secure Contact Form.