EMDR Therapy in Toronto & Online Across Ontario
When past experiences keep affecting how you feel today.
Process distressing experiences with compassionate support and a pace that respects your needs.
In person on the Danforth • Online across Ontario.
Does This Feel Familiar?
Feeling anxious or on edge.
Replaying upsetting experiences.
Strong reactions to reminders.
Knowing it is over, but still feeling distress.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured psychotherapy that helps people work through distressing memories and the thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations connected with them.
During memory processing, your therapist guides you to notice aspects of a selected experience while following back-and-forth eye movements or another form of bilateral stimulation, such as alternating taps. You pause regularly to notice what comes up and share feedback.
EMDR involves more than eye movements. Assessment, preparation, coping strategies, and reviewing progress are all part of treatment. The aim is for the memory to become less distressing, so reminders have less influence on how you feel and respond in the present.
How Can EMDR Therapy Help?
How Can EMDR Therapy Help With Trauma?
An experience can be over, yet reminders may still bring fear, distressing images, physical tension, or a feeling that you are back in that moment. You might avoid certain situations, feel constantly on guard, or find it difficult to feel safe.
EMDR therapy helps you work through traumatic memories and the emotions, beliefs, and physical sensations connected with them. The aim is for these memories to become less distressing, so you can remember what happened with a stronger sense that it belongs in the past.
EMDR is a well-established treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis to discuss whether it could be appropriate for your experiences and current concerns.
Together, we identify what you want help with, prepare for processing, and regularly review how the work is affecting you.
How Can EMDR Therapy Help With Anxiety?
Anxiety can involve worrying thoughts, a racing heart, muscle tension, avoidance, or a persistent sense that something bad is about to happen. For some people, distressing experiences contribute to these reactions.
You might know that a present situation is different from the past, yet still feel a strong fear response. When relevant to your concerns, EMDR therapy can help you work with memories and beliefs connected to these reactions.
EMDR has its strongest established evidence for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research also suggests that it may reduce anxiety symptoms, although evidence for anxiety disorders outside PTSD is less established. Together, we will consider whether EMDR, another approach, or a combination fits your needs.
How Can EMDR Therapy Help With Attachment and Childhood Trauma?
Early relationships help shape how we experience safety, closeness, and our own worth. When care involved abuse, neglect, repeated criticism, or unpredictability, the effects can continue into adulthood.
You may fear rejection, struggle to trust others, feel responsible for keeping everyone happy, or pull away when relationships become close. These patterns can have different causes; in therapy, we explore what they mean in your own life.
When childhood experiences contribute to present distress, EMDR may help you process related memories and painful beliefs such as “My needs do not matter,” “I am not lovable,” or “I cannot rely on anyone.” The work can support a more compassionate understanding of yourself and greater choice in how you respond today.
For repeated or longstanding childhood trauma, treatment is tailored carefully to your needs. We pay attention to trust, emotional support, nervous system regulation, and readiness for processing. EMDR may form one part of a broader plan that also addresses boundaries, self-trust, and relationships.
EMDR and Nervous System Regulation
When anxiety or reminders of difficult experiences feel intense, it can help to have ways to reconnect with the present. Nervous system regulation skills support you in noticing your stress responses and finding practices that help you manage them.
As part of preparation and ongoing support, we may explore grounding, gentle movement, breathing practices, or other strategies suited to you. We pay attention to what helps and adjust when something feels uncomfortable or unhelpful.
You do not have to feel perfectly calm to begin therapy. We work together to understand what helps you feel supported and able to participate. Preparation is tailored to your needs, and we review your readiness for memory processing together.
What Happens in EMDR Therapy?
EMDR follows a structured process. This overview describes the main parts of the experience; your therapist will explain the full process and answer your questions before you begin.
1. Understand your needs
We discuss your current concerns, relevant history, and what you hope to change. Together, we consider whether EMDR is appropriate and identify priorities for treatment.
2. Prepare together
You learn how EMDR works and practise strategies to support you during and between appointments. We agree on how to pause and discuss what helps you stay connected with the present.
3. Process selected experiences
When appropriate, we work with a selected memory and its related thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations using bilateral stimulation. There are regular pauses and check-ins, and you can ask to stop or adjust the pace.
4. Review and integrate
We review changes, discuss anything you notice between sessions, and consider how new perspectives connect with daily life. Your feedback helps guide the next steps.
Your questions, comfort, and choices matter throughout therapy.
Additional Support with the Flash Technique
If focusing on a distressing memory feels overwhelming, the Flash Technique may offer another way to begin working with it.
With your therapist’s guidance, you briefly identify a troubling memory, then turn your attention to something positive and engaging. Unlike standard EMDR processing, Flash does not require sustained attention to the upsetting details. It is designed to help reduce the distress associated with the memory and may be used during preparation for further EMDR work.
Lea is trained in both EMDR and the Flash Technique. Together, you can explore which approach fits your needs, with attention to your comfort, readiness, and preferences.
EMDR Therapy With Lea Konforte
Lea Konforte
Registered Psychotherapist | Founder and Clinical Director
Lea is trained in EMDR therapy and the Flash Technique and integrates these approaches with somatic therapy and nervous system regulation.
Her approach considers your thoughts, emotions, physical responses, and the experiences that have shaped them. Together, you will develop a treatment plan that reflects your goals, with space for questions, preparation, and ongoing feedback.
Questions About EMDR Therapy
Will I have to describe everything in detail?
You generally do not need to give a detailed account of every upsetting experience. We discuss enough to understand your needs and plan treatment, and you share feedback about what you notice during processing. We can talk about any concerns you have about disclosure before beginning.
Is EMDR only for PTSD?
EMDR is best established as a treatment for PTSD. It is also used for some other concerns involving distressing memories. You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis; we can explore your concerns and discuss whether EMDR is a suitable option.
Can EMDR help with anxiety?
It may help when distressing experiences contribute to anxious reactions. Anxiety has different causes, and EMDR will not be the right approach for everyone. We will assess your needs and discuss the options with you.
What if I become overwhelmed?
We plan for this together. Preparation includes identifying helpful coping strategies and agreeing on a pause signal. During sessions, we check in and can slow down, pause processing, or return to grounding and support.
Can EMDR bring up difficult feelings?
Yes. Working with distressing memories can bring up uncomfortable emotions or physical sensations. You may also notice changes in feelings, dreams, or memories between appointments. We discuss what to expect, plan support, and review your experiences so treatment can be adjusted as needed.
How many sessions will I need?
The number varies depending on your concerns, history, goals, and the preparation you need. Some people work on a specific experience; others need a longer course of therapy. We review progress together rather than promise a fixed timeline.
Can I have EMDR therapy online?
Online EMDR therapy is available across Ontario when appropriate for your needs. We discuss privacy, a suitable space, technology, and a plan for connection interruptions before starting. Together, we consider whether online or in-person sessions are the better fit.
Session Information
Sessions are available in person on the Danforth in Toronto and online across Ontario. Please see Lea’s profile for current session fees and appointment details, or ask during your free consultation.
Receipts are provided for psychotherapy services. If you have extended health benefits, check whether your plan covers services from a Registered Psychotherapist and what limits or requirements apply.
