EMDRA SA

Evidence-based EMDR therapy that honours your story and supports your journey

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We understand how overwhelming it can be to live with the effects of trauma, anxiety, complex relationships and difficult life experiences.

We want you to be seen as a valued person with a unique story, deserving of compassion and expert care. We are committed to supporting you to reclaim your story with compassion while we work together as you take steps towards the life you wish to lead

EMDR Intensives are offered Adelaide at our Warradale location as well as online. If Intensive EMDR might not suit you, we also have limited availability for weekly and fortnightly EMDR Therapy online.

  • WHAT IS EMDR?

    Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is extensively researched and proven effective for resolving traumatic life events. As a treatment option it is endorsed by prominent organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association, The Department of Veteran’s Affairs and the World Health Organization.

    EMDR is not simply the use of eye movements. Rather, it is an integrative psychotherapy approach with the goal of reducing distress in the most effective way. It works to reprocess memories of traumatic experiences by reducing the vividness (or ‘charge’) attached to these memories. This in turn, allows connection to other parts of the brain that know the original danger/threat is now in the past. This reduces the reactivation of the ‘fight-flight-freeze’ response linked to unprocessed memories.

  • ONLINE EMDR THERAPY

    Access EMDR therapy wherever you are

    Whether delivered in person or through secure online platforms, our EMDR Intensives provide the same quality, evidence-based treatment that can transform your relationship with difficult memories and unlock your natural capacity for healing. Our aim is to work with you to create a tailored Intensive Package Option that will meet your needs.

  • MORE ABOUT EMDR

    As you process a series of key memories or issues in EMDR therapy, over time, your trauma symptoms reduce as the memories no longer trigger you. This allows more adaptive, healthy patterns of thinking to develop, reducing distressing emotions and changing behaviours. Because EMDR addresses the source of your distress (rather than just managing the symptoms of your distress) these changes are profound and lasting.

    EMDRAA website
    EMDRAA video
    EMDR Therapy and Trauma in adults video
    EMDR for PTSD video

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EMDR INTENSIVES

EMDR Intensives are concentrated, multi-hour therapy sessions that compress traditional weekly EMDR treatment into an immersive, focused healing experience. Instead of standard 50 minute weekly or fortnightly sessions spread over months, intensives involve extended sessions of 2-3 hours delivered over consecutive or several days within a 1-2 week timeframe.

This accelerated format maintains all eight phases of standard EMDR therapy while eliminating the weekly gaps that often interrupt progression in regular therapy. Research suggests that intensive EMDR can achieve similar results to months of weekly therapy in just days of concentrated work (Voorendonk et al, 2020).

  • EMDR Intensives offer unique advantages for those ready to invest deeply in their healing:

    • Sustained focus on your healing goals without weekly interruptions that require restarting each session

    • Deeper processing opportunities that extended time allows, often leading to profound insights and breakthroughs

    • Maintained momentum as you stay connected to the healing process across consecutive sessions

    • Time efficiency for busy individuals who prefer concentrated healing over months of weekly appointments

    • Immersive experience that allows full attention to your recovery without external life distractions

  • EMDR Intensives effectively address many trauma-related experiences:

    • Childhood trauma and abuse that continues to impact daily life

    • PTSD and Complex PTSD from single or multiple traumatic events

    • Difficult life experience (sexual abuse, violence, phobias, flashbacks)

    • Anxiety and panic that interferes with work, relationships, or personal goals

    • Depression rooted in difficult life experiences

    • Grief and loss from significant life changes

    • Medical trauma from health crises or intensive treatments

    • Relationship trauma affecting your ability to trust and connect

  • Our EMDR Intensive program is designed with your comfort and healing as the priority:

    • Preparation Session: 50-minute online assessment and planning session where we work together to begin the early phases of EMDR preparation and create a plan on what areas the intensive session will cover

    • Core Intensive Sessions: 2 - 3 hour EMDR processing sessions, typically 2-6 sessions across 1-2 weeks, tailored to your specific needs and capacity

    • Flexible approach: Session timing and structure adapted to honour your healing pace and personal circumstances

    • Follow-up support: A single 50 minutes online Post-intensive session to integrate your experience and plan ongoing care

    • Available face-to-face or online: Choose the format that feels most comfortable and accessible for your healing journey. EMDR SA offers face to face appointments primarily at Warradale SA 5046. For specific location requirements, contact us directly.

  • EMDR Intensives can be particularly beneficial if you:

    • Feel ready to address specific trauma or life challenges intensively

    • Have been feeling “stuck” in traditional weekly therapy

    • Are seeking faster or more concentrated relief from PTSD, trauma, anxiety, or depression symptoms

    • Live far from specialised EMDR therapists and can travel for intensive treatment

    • Want an immersive therapeutic experience focused on specific goals

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MEET SAM

Sam is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Family, Couple and EMDR Therapist. He offers a warm, non-judgemental and collaborative environment where people can process the barriers that get in the way of what matters most to them.

Having worked across community, health and education services in both metropolitan and regional Australia, he has witnessed the diverse challenges and remarkable resilience people carry with them. He understands that while therapy may evoke feelings of overwhelm and shame, it can also be a space for humour, insight and unexpected growth.

Sam’s therapeutic framework is collaborative and person-centred, drawing on EMDR, psychodynamic psychotherapy, narrative therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and parts work. He is particularly interested in supporting people navigating anxiety, complex PTSD and relational trauma. Since first training in EMDR 5 years ago, he has refined his EMDR practice and now specialises in a range of attachment and relational informed EMDR protocols.

Sam has been working across Trauma Services and in Private Practices in Melbourne since 2015. In 2024, he moved to South Australia. In addition to EMDRA SA, Sam works in Mental Health across regional SA where he is dedicated to making quality mental health care accessible to individuals and families across rural locations.

Outside of work, Sam enjoys live music, gardening, photography and camping with his dog, Dotti. As an avid reader, he always welcomes a book recommendations.

Qualifications and Professional Associations

  • Bachelor of Social Work with Honours (RMIT University)

  • Masters of Family and Systemic Therapy  (Australian Catholic University)

  • Member of Australian Association of Social Workers

  • Member of the EMDR Association of Australia

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • The EMDR Intensive Program offers a powerful and focused approach to resolving trauma and addressing complex issues. While highly effective, it is important to set realistic expectations.

    Over the course of the program, you will work intensively on processing one to two specific issues. While many people experience significant relief from trauma-related symptoms during this time, it’s not intended to address every challenge in your life.

    Our goal is to help you achieve meaningful progress on targeted issues, setting the foundation for continued growth and healing beyond the program.

  • If you express an interest in the EMDR intensive program, we will set up a 30-minute intake call with our Intake Clinician. This call is to provide additional information about the program and also assess your suitability. Intensives are an excellent, time-efficient method for processing through traumatic memories and material, but like all health procedures they are not suitable for everyone. Our Intake Clinician will ask you specific questions to determine your suitability for the program.

    If you are suitable for the EMDR Intensive Program, our Admin Team will contact you to discuss your availability and the timing of your intensive. We will then book:

  • We aim to book people into the EMDR Intensive Program within three months of their initial intake call. However, wait times can vary depending on demand. During busier periods, the wait may be slightly longer, but at other times, we may have availability within as little as a month.

    We aim to work with you to find the earliest possible time that fits your schedule. If you’re flexible with your availability (including weekends), we may be able to offer an earlier spot.

  • Prices for an EMDR Intensive vary depending on the number of intensive sessions included as part of the intensive. The standard EMDR Intensive Package is priced $1,960, which includes:

    • 20 minute connection call

    • 1 x 50 minute online EMDR preparation session

    • 3 x 100 minute EMDR sessions (which can be spaced across 2 or 3 days)

    • 1 × 50 minute online EMDR closure session

  • Funding for the EMDR Intensive Program is typically paid privately. You may be able to claim a portion of the overall cost as Medicare rebates with a valid referral under Better Access to Mental Health Program.

    If you’re hoping to use your NDIS funding or another external funding source, we’re happy to consider this on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us to discuss your options.

  • Like other health treatments, both EMDR and the EMDR Intensive format is not suited to everyone. There are risks and benefits to participating in any health procedure. During our connection and intake call, we aim to assess your application and do our best to advise you if we believe your circumstances are not suitable for this program.

    We may provide a recommendation of what therapy style might better suit your goals and needs.

  • For a standard 50 minute individual session the fee is $210.

    Payment is required at the time of your session. Direct Debit and credit cards are accepted.

    Currently, people who have a Mental Health Treatment Plan from their GP are able to claim a Medicare rebate of approximately $87 per session for up to 10 individual counselling or EMDR sessions.

    Reports to your doctor at various stages are a Medicare requirement. It is your responsibility to monitor how many sessions you have remaining on your Mental Health Treatment Plan and review with your doctor to access more sessions. Without a current Mental Health Treatment Plan/no sessions remaining, the full fee is due.

CONTACT US