Ādarśa offers EMDR therapy as part of our integrative approach to healing trauma and emotional distress. Based in Brunswick and Strathmore, Melbourne, we combine EMDR with somatic psychotherapy to support deep, lasting change – not just symptom relief.
If you’ve been carrying the weight of past experiences and are looking for a way through, EMDR may be able to help.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is an evidence-based therapy originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and is now widely used for a range of emotional and psychological difficulties.
During an EMDR session, you’ll be guided to briefly focus on a distressing memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation – typically through guided eye movements, but sometimes through tapping or auditory tones. This process helps the brain reprocess the memory so that it loses its emotional charge.
The experience is often described as the memory moving from feeling like something that is still happening to something that simply happened in the past. The facts of the experience don’t change, but the way your mind and body respond to them does.
EMDR has been extensively researched and is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Australian Psychological Society as an effective treatment for trauma.
How We Use EMDR at Ādarśa
At Ādarśa, EMDR is never delivered as a standalone technique. Our founder and lead psychologist, Sharna Arti, integrates EMDR within a broader somatic and transpersonal framework. This means that while EMDR helps reprocess specific memories, we also work with the body’s response to those memories — paying attention to where tension, activation or numbness shows up physically.
This combination of EMDR and somatic psychotherapy allows for a more complete healing process. Rather than simply desensitising a memory at a cognitive level, we support the whole nervous system in releasing what it has been holding.
Sharna also draws on Havening Techniques, Somatic Experiencing, schema therapy and mindfulness to support the EMDR process — adapting the approach to suit what each individual needs.
A typical EMDR session at Ādarśa might include:
- Establishing safety and grounding through somatic awareness
- Identifying the target memory and associated beliefs, emotions and body sensations
- Bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping or auditory tones) to support reprocessing
- Checking in with the body to ensure the nervous system has fully integrated the shift
- Closing with stabilisation and resourcing techniques
Every session is guided by your experience in the moment. There is no rigid protocol — we follow what your mind and body need.
What Can EMDR Help With?
EMDR was originally developed for trauma, but research and clinical experience have shown it can be effective for a wide range of issues, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Complex trauma and developmental trauma
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Phobias and fears
- Depression
- Grief and loss
- Disturbing memories that feel stuck or intrusive
- Negative self-beliefs (such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not safe”)
- Performance anxiety
- Stress-related physical symptoms
If you’re unsure whether EMDR is the right approach for what you’re experiencing, we’re happy to talk it through with you before you commit to anything.
What to Expect in Your First EMDR Session
Your first session won’t jump straight into EMDR processing. We take time to understand your history, what’s brought you to therapy, and what you’re hoping to achieve. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and get comfortable with the process.
EMDR works best when you feel safe and grounded, so the initial sessions focus on building that foundation. Sharna will teach you stabilisation and resourcing techniques that you can use both during and between sessions.
Once you’re ready, the reprocessing work begins. Sessions are typically 60 minutes long. Some people notice a significant shift after just a few sessions, while more complex or long-standing issues may take longer. The pace is always guided by what feels manageable for you.
Between sessions, you may notice shifts in how you feel, think or dream. This is a normal part of the processing and is a sign that things are moving.
Why Choose Ādarśa for EMDR in Melbourne?
There are many practitioners offering EMDR in Melbourne. Here’s what makes our approach different:
EMDR within a somatic framework: Most EMDR practitioners work primarily at a cognitive level. At Ādarśa, we integrate EMDR with somatic psychotherapy, which means we also work with how trauma is held in the body. This supports a more thorough and lasting resolution.
Genuinely integrative: Sharna draws on multiple modalities including Havening, Somatic Experiencing, schema therapy and breathwork. Your therapy is shaped by what works for you, not limited to a single technique.
Experienced practitioner: Sharna Arti is a registered psychologist (MAPsych) and somatic psychotherapist with extensive experience in trauma-informed care. EMDR is one of several tools she uses, integrated within a deep understanding of how the mind and body process experience.
A safe, warm environment: Healing from trauma requires safety above all else. Ādarśa provides a calm, supportive space — with the added presence of Kiron, our therapy dog, for those who find comfort in animal-assisted support.
Both individual and group support: For those wanting additional support alongside individual EMDR sessions, Ādarśa offers Soma-Psyche group classes combining breathwork, somatic movement and mindfulness in Brunswick.
Funding and Pricing
- Private sessions: $280 per hour
- Medicare rebates are available with a Mental Health Care Plan (up to 10 sessions per calendar year)
- Session packages are available for ongoing therapy clients
Please contact us to discuss your options.
Location
Ādarśa offers EMDR therapy at two locations in Melbourne:
- Brunswick, VIC — inner north Melbourne, easily accessible from Fitzroy, Carlton, Northcote, Coburg and Brunswick East
- Strathmore, VIC — north-west Melbourne, convenient for Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Pascoe Vale and surrounding areas
We also serve clients from across greater Melbourne.
Book a Session
If you’d like to explore whether EMDR therapy could help you, or if you have questions about the process, we’d love to hear from you.
Phone: 03 9007 2559 Email: sharna.psych@gmail.com Online: Contact us here