our Approach
Through a structured process that includes bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or taps, you will activate your brain's natural healing mechanisms, freeing you from the grip of past trauma and restoring balance to your mind, body, and spirit.
This evidence-based modality was developed for clients who have experienced trauma. Trauma is often not processed properly in the brain and can become stored in an isolated memory network. Everything we need to solve what happened is stored in another area of the brain that we do not have access to after a traumatic event.
EMDR allows us to link these areas of the brain through bilateral stimulation so we can access the stored information and this memory network to find resolution, separating the emotion from the traumatic event and dislodging any emotions that may have been stored in the body.
Have experienced a traumatic or distressing event.
Feel blocked in your personal growth due to past experiences.
Struggle with anxiety, self-doubt, or recurring negative thoughts.
Experience intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks.
Have been diagnosed with or suspect symptoms of PTSD.
Feel disconnected from your emotions or sense of self.
Experience deep-rooted fears or phobias.
Want to break free from patterns of avoidance, fear, or shame.
Desire to feel calm, empowered, and more in control of your life.
• Personalized referral plan with a therapist match guarantee
• Highly vetted therapists who are real, warm, and relatable
• A reputable clinic that has supported over 2,000 clients across BC
• Virtual counselling anywhere in BC — evenings and weekends available
• Holistic, collaborative care designed around your unique needs
• A dedicated clinic concierge to support you every step of the way
If you have any questions for us prior to booking an appointment or being matched with a therapist, please fill out this contact form and our clinic concierge will get back to you during business hours (Monday- Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm PST).
We look forward to supporting you!
604-418-8827
hello@gatherandground.ca
Meet members of our team who work with this approach.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapy that helps people heal from trauma, anxiety, and distressing experiences. To simplify, EMDR uses guided eye movements and bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess painful memories so they feel less overwhelming and activating in our nervous system. At our Vancouver virtual clinic, EMDR is offered online in a safe, supportive environment by EMDRIA trained therapists.
EMDR therapy is best known for treating trauma and PTSD, but it can also help with anxiety, phobias, depression, grief, chronic stress, and low self-esteem. Gather & Ground clients use EMDR to process childhood experiences, relationship wounds, or specific events that still feel “stuck” or activating. Our EMDR therapists in Vancouver tailor their approach to fit your unique needs while honoring a pace that works for you.
EMDR helps reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories without erasing them. By guiding you through a structured process, your brain learns to reprocess the memory so it no longer triggers the same distress. Our clients describe feeling calmer, more grounded, and freer after working with a Gather & Ground EMDR Therapist. The feedback we have received has been incredible - some clients have even left us a review on their experience for you to see!
Yes, online EMDR can be just as effective as in-person sessions when guided by a trained EMDR therapist. With video-based tools and clear instructions, bilateral stimulation can be adapted for virtual sessions. Clients across BC often appreciate the flexibility of accessing EMDR from the comfort of home, especially while processing challenging memories. Gather & Ground has witnessed incredible transformation amongst hundreds of clients with our virtual counselling services!
Your first EMDR session will focus on understanding your history, goals, and what you’d like to work on. Your Gather & Ground therapist won’t start reprocessing right away; instead, they’ll help you build trust, learn grounding tools, and prepare for the EMDR process. This ensures you feel safe and supported before moving into trauma work. Our goal is to set you up for success and to go at an appropriate pace.
Yes, EMDR is considered a safe and evidence-based approach when provided by a trained therapist. It can feel intense at times because it works with difficult memories, but your therapist will guide you at a pace that feels manageable. With our expert EMDR therapists you’ll always have strategies to pause, ground yourself, and stay in control during the process.
The number of EMDR sessions varies depending on your history and goals. Some people notice relief after just a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term work for complex trauma. In your first appointment, your therapist will create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Many extended health plans in British Columbia cover sessions with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC), and Registered Social Workers (RSW). It’s best to confirm directly with your provider. Our Vancouver clinic issues detailed receipts to make the reimbursement process simple and stress-free.
Getting started is simple and we have many avenues of support. If you’d like to see whether therapy is a good fit, we offer free 15-minute consultations with all our clinicians as well as a complementary therapist matching discovery call. If you know who you would like to book with, you can book a free consultation with the therapist of your choosing or your first online session in just a few minutes. Don’t hesitate to lean on our clinic concierge as you navigate your first steps.
EMDR therapy is helpful if you’re struggling with the effects of trauma, anxiety, or distressing memories. It may be right for you if you: Have experienced trauma or PTSD symptoms, Struggle with recurring memories, nightmares, or flashbacks, Feel stuck in negative patterns of thinking or behaviour, Live with anxiety, depression, or self-doubt, Experience phobias, intrusive thoughts, or disconnection from yourself. Our Vancouver EMDR therapists can help you process the past and build healthier ways of coping in the present. At Gather & Ground we focus on sustained results with evidence based care.
