EMDR Therapy
EMDR Therapy in Queenstown | The Therapy Project
Heal from Trauma Without Reliving It
At The Therapy Project, we offer EMDR therapy in Queenstown for individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, and distressing life experiences.
Whether you’re seeking support privately or through ACC Sensitive Claims, our trained clinicians provide a safe, structured, and compassionate approach to healing.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy designed to help your brain process and release distressing memories that feel “stuck.”
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require you to go into detail about your trauma. Instead, it helps your brain naturally reprocess experiences so they no longer feel overwhelming.
EMDR is widely used for:
Trauma and PTSD
Sexual harm (ACC Sensitive Claims clients)
Anxiety and panic
Childhood experiences and attachment wounds
Phobias
Grief and loss
Distressing memories that still feel present today
How EMDR Works
When something overwhelming happens, your brain can struggle to process it fully. This can leave memories feeling raw, triggering strong emotional and physical reactions long after the event has passed.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements or tapping) to help your brain reprocess these memories in a safe and controlled way.
Over time, clients often notice:
Reduced emotional intensity
Less reactivity to triggers
A greater sense of calm and control
The ability to remember without reliving
Who is EMDR For?
EMDR can be helpful if you:
Feel stuck in patterns you can’t explain
Experience intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or anxiety
Notice strong emotional reactions that feel disproportionate
Have experienced trauma (recent or long ago)
Want a therapy approach that doesn’t rely heavily on talking through everything
You don’t need to have experienced a “big trauma” for EMDR to help—many clients come in with experiences that were subtle but impactful over time.
EMDR Through ACC Sensitive Claims
We are approved providers for ACC Sensitive Claims in Queenstown.
If you’ve experienced sexual harm in New Zealand, you may be eligible for fully funded EMDR therapy through ACC.
We can support you with:
Understanding your eligibility
Completing the ACC process
Gentle, trauma-informed care at your pace
Our team is experienced in working within the ACC framework while keeping your wellbeing at the centre of the process.
Private EMDR Therapy
If you’d prefer to access EMDR privately, we offer sessions without the need for a referral.
Private EMDR may be a good fit if you:
Want to begin therapy sooner
Are working on trauma, anxiety, or past experiences outside ACC criteria
Prefer a more flexible or self-directed approach
What to Expect in an EMDR Session
We move at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.
Your EMDR journey typically includes:
Getting to know you – understanding your goals and history
Building safety and grounding skills
Identifying key memories or themes
Processing using EMDR techniques
Integration and ongoing support
You are always in control of the process—we prioritise safety, choice, and collaboration.
