EMDR therapy helps you process the experiences your mind and body are still carrying.
Some experiences change us in ways we don’t expect. You might feel constantly on edge, emotionally reactive, disconnected, or as though your nervous system never fully settled, even long after the event has passed.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps you move beyond the lasting effects of trauma and distress, so you can feel calmer, safer, and more present in your everyday life.
What is EMDR therapy?
Sometimes, after an overwhelming experience, the brain isn’t able to fully process what happened. Instead of becoming a memory that’s safely stored in the past, the experience can remain “stuck”, continuing to trigger difficult emotions, physical sensations, and negative beliefs in the present.
EMDR uses gentle, back-and-forth stimulation to help your brain reprocess these memories. This mirrors the brain’s natural memory processing, allowing difficult experiences to become less emotionally overwhelming and easier to leave in the past.
Backed by more than 30 years of research, EMDR is recommended by the World Health Organization for the treatment of trauma and PTSD. Because it targets the root of distress rather than simply managing symptoms, many people experience meaningful relief in fewer sessions than with traditional talk therapy.
Davina Donovan
BPsych Hons
Hello, I’m Davina.
I have over 20 years of experience in the psychology industry supporting women through all kinds of life challenges. However, I’m deeply passionate about women’s health and the many demands that come with being a woman. I’m also a mum, so I understand the mental load that can come with balancing health, parenting, relationships, and everything else life asks of us.
I bring my own lived experience of endometriosis and infertility into my work where it’s helpful, particularly when supporting women navigating pelvic pain, chronic health conditions, fertility challenges, and the emotional toll of ongoing medical stress.
My approach is warm, collaborative, and evidence based. In my sessions, I aim to create a space where women feel comfortable talking openly, can make sense of what’s going on for them, and leave with practical tools that support lasting change.
What EMDR Therapy Brisbane Can Help With
Women come to EMDR for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes there’s one moment you can point to. Sometimes it’s a weight that’s built up so slowly you can barely remember life without it. Davina works across all of it and shapes each session around what you bring in.
- Birth trauma and traumatic birth
- Pregnancy loss and baby loss
- Perinatal anxiety and depression
- Medical and reproductive trauma
- Anxiety, panic, and overwhelm
- Past trauma and PTSD
Signs you may benefit from a EMDR therapy
- You have a specific memory that still feels vivid, raw, or upsetting when it comes to mind
- A traumatic or difficult birth that you keep replaying, or that makes the thought of another pregnancy hard
- Grief from pregnancy or baby loss
- Anxiety, panic, or intrusive thoughts
- A medical or reproductive experience you find yourself bracing against or avoiding
- Feeling on edge, easily startled, or unable to switch off
- You’ve tried talk therapy and understand your history, but the feelings haven’t shifted
Something from years ago that still shapes how you feel today
What to expect at your first EMDR therapy appointment
Davina will ask about what’s brought you in, your history, and what you’re hoping to feel different about.
When you’re ready, the reprocessing work uses gentle, rhythmic left-to-right stimulation, usually eye movements or light taps, while you briefly bring the memory to mind.
Most people notice the memory starts to feel less charged as the sessions go on. Davina will talk you through what to expect between appointments and how many sessions might suit what you’re working through.
Women's health clinic with a difference
Too often, women don’t feel supported or heard – and we’re here to change the narrative. We combine our expertise with a heartfelt approach to ensure you feel understood and cared for in every session.
EMDR Therapy Brisbane FAQs
Do I need a referral to book EMDR?
You don’t need a referral to book. You can come straight in. Because North West Healthy Women is a multidisciplinary clinic, if something in your sessions would benefit from other support, we can connect you with the right person in-house
Do I have to talk about everything in detail?
No. One of the things people find reassuring about EMDR is that you don’t have to recount every detail of what happened. The processing works whether or not you describe it out loud, so you share only what you’re comfortable sharing.
Is EMDR safe? Will it bring up too much?
EMDR is a well-established, evidence-based therapy. The early sessions are spent building the skills to keep you grounded, and Davina works at a pace that suits you. You stay in control throughout, and you can pause at any point. North West Healthy Women takes your emotional safety seriously.
Can EMDR help if my trauma happened a long time ago?
Yes. It doesn’t matter whether the experience was recent or decades ago. If a memory is still affecting how you feel today, it can be worked with. It’s never too late to start.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on what you’re coming in with. A single, contained event may resolve in a handful of sessions, while more complex or long-standing trauma can take longer. Davina will give you a clear picture at your first appointment based on what you’re working through.
Move beyond past experiences with EMDR therapy Brisbane
When difficult memories no longer dominate your thoughts, emotions, or nervous system, there’s more space for calm, connection, and joy. EMDR helps make that possible.