Discover Healing with EMDR Therapy in Kelowna, BC

Lisa Pereversoff is a EMDR counselor in kelowna

Overcome Trauma and Improve Your Mental Health with EMDR Therapy.

Are you struggling with the aftermath of a traumatic experience? Feeling stuck in a cycle of anxiety, depression, or unhealthy coping mechanisms? EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy could be the solution you’ve been searching for. Our counselling services offer a variety of professional mental health supports, tailored to meet your unique needs.

I’m Lisa Pereversoff, a Registered Clinical Counsellor with over 10 years of experience helping clients heal from trauma and improve their overall mental health. As an EMDR basic trained therapist, I use this powerful, evidence-based technique to guide you through the process of reprocessing and resolving traumatic memories. My specialized EMDR services are available in Kelowna as well as virtually for those seeking support.


EMDR Therapist in Kelowna

How EMDR Therapy Can Help You

EMDR is a highly effective method for treating a wide range of mental health issues, including:

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Overcome the debilitating effects of trauma and regain control of your life.

  • Anxiety Disorders, Anxiety, and Depression: Reduce symptoms and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

  • Phobias and Fears: Confront and overcome the root causes of your fears.

  • Addiction and Substance Abuse: Address the underlying trauma that fuels addictive behaviours.

  • Low Self-Esteem and Negative Beliefs: Replace limiting beliefs with more empowering ones.

Understanding EMDR Therapy

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that effectively helps individuals process and overcome distressing memories and trauma. Developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR combines talk therapy with targeted eye movements to reprocess and integrate difficult experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which involves conversations aimed at exploring thoughts, feelings, and behaviours to support mental health, EMDR uses specific techniques to directly address and reprocess traumatic memories. Extensively researched and proven, EMDR is recognized for its ability to promote emotional well-being and alleviate symptoms associated with trauma and mental health conditions.

a counsellor sits with a coffee on a sofa

How EMDR Therapy Works

EMDR therapy utilises bilateral stimulation techniques, guided by the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, to help the brain naturally process traumatic memories and negative beliefs. By reducing the emotional charge of these memories, EMDR therapy promotes healthier coping mechanisms and emotional well-being. This approach has been scientifically proven to alleviate distress and facilitate better memory processing. 

EMDR includes eight treatment phases:

  1. History Taking: Gathering the client’s trauma history and identifying target memories.

  2. Preparation: Building trust and teaching relaxation techniques.

  3. Assessment: Identifying the traumatic memory, associated beliefs, and desired positive belief.

  4. Desensitisation: Using bilateral stimulation to reduce the emotional impact of the memory.

  5. Installation: Strengthening a positive belief to replace the negative one.

  6. Body Scan: Checking for any residual physical distress and processing it.

  7. Closure: Ensuring the client is stable and using relaxation techniques to end the session.

  8. Reevaluation: Reviewing progress and determining if further processing is needed in the next session.

What to Expect in EMDR Therapy

During our EMDR sessions, we’ll work together to:

  1. Identify the specific memories, beliefs, and emotions that are causing you distress.

  2. Use bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping) to help your brain reprocess these memories in a healthy way.

  3. Replace negative beliefs and emotions with more positive, adaptive ones.

  4. Develop effective coping strategies to manage any lingering symptoms.

For those who prefer virtual sessions, online therapy is available, providing the same effective approaches in a flexible and accessible manner.

The process is often deeply moving, but also empowering. Many of my clients report feeling a significant reduction in symptoms and a renewed sense of control over their lives.

Take the First Step Towards Healing

Don't let trauma or mental health challenges hold you back any longer. Book your initial consultation with me today and start your journey towards lasting change.