Virtual EMDR Therapy Across Ontario
Process trauma and reduce anxiety from the comfort of your own home.
EMDRIA-trained Registered Social Worker providing compassionate virtual EMDR therapy to adults across Ontario.
What is Virtual EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy that helps your brain process difficult experiences that feel "stuck." Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—such as eye movements, tactile tapping, or auditory tones—to help your nervous system complete the healing process that trauma interrupted.
​
Many people across Ontario seek EMDR therapy when they notice that certain memories, experiences, or triggers keep showing up in their daily lives—affecting their sleep, relationships, mood, and ability to stay present. If you've tried other forms of therapy and still feel held back by the past, EMDR might be the missing piece in your healing journey.
​
When traumatic or distressing experiences occur, our brains don't always process them properly. These experiences can get "frozen in time," complete with the thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations from when they happened. EMDR helps your brain reprocess these stuck memories so they feel less overwhelming and intrusive. You'll still remember what happened, but it won't carry the same emotional weight or trigger the same distressing reactions.
​
EMDR is recognized by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the Department of Veterans Affairs as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD. It's also helpful for anxiety, depression, panic disorders, grief, and other challenges rooted in difficult past experiences.
An example problem and how EMDR can help!
How Virtual EMDR Works in Ontario
Virtual EMDR therapy works exactly like in-person EMDR—with all the same effectiveness and therapeutic depth. Research confirms that people heal just as effectively with online EMDR as they do in traditional in-person sessions.
​
A 2022 study published in Telemedicine and e-Health compared virtual EMDR to in-person EMDR and found no difference in outcomes between the two formats. What matters most isn't where you're sitting—it's the therapeutic relationship and the work we do together.
​
During your free 15-minute consultation, we'll discuss your goals and determine if EMDR is a good fit. Sessions use a secure, HIPAA-compliant, encrypted video platform that keeps your sessions confidential. All you need is a private space, a reliable internet connection, and a device with a camera and audio.
During sessions, we follow the EMDR phasic approach. If you want more information on that, check out this blog post. Once we've processed a memory, we work on strengthening positive beliefs about yourself and ensuring you feel stable before the session ends.
Many clients notice shifts right away—feeling lighter, less triggered, or seeing the memory differently. Others notice changes gradually over the following days or weeks. The initial work may feel more emotional at first, but it stabilizes over time.
Who EMDR Can Help!
EMDR can help if you're experiencing trauma and PTSD symptoms—disturbing memories that feel like they're happening right now, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, constant hypervigilance, emotional numbness, or avoidance of triggering situations.
​
It also addresses anxiety and panic, including overwhelming worry, panic attacks, social anxiety, and anxiety rooted in past experiences. For depression and low self-worth, EMDR helps with persistent negative beliefs ("I'm not good enough," "I'm broken"), depression connected to past losses, and feeling stuck in patterns you can't break.
​
EMDR is effective for relationship issues like difficulty trusting others, repetitive conflict patterns, past relationship trauma, and attachment difficulties rooted in childhood. It supports people through life transitions and grief, helping process significant losses, stuck grief, identity shifts, and major life events.
​
Those with complex or developmental trauma—growing up in unsafe or unpredictable environments, childhood experiences affecting current worldview, or a pattern of difficult experiences—also benefit from EMDR.
​
You don't need a formal diagnosis. If past experiences are affecting your present life—your relationships, your work, your sense of self, or your ability to feel at ease—EMDR might help.
How Can I Help You Heal?
I'm Amy May, a Registered Social Worker (RSW) trained through EMDRIA (the EMDR International Association) to provide EMDR therapy. My approach combines EMDR with Internal Family Systems (IFS) principles, which means I see you as whole and capable—not broken or damaged.
​
What makes my practice different:
Trauma-Informed and Person-Centred: I follow your lead. You're the expert on your own experience. We move at your pace and pause whenever you need to.
Neurodivergent-Affirming: As a neurodivergent therapist (ADHD) who has supported neurodivergent clients, I adapt my approach to work with your unique brain wiring, not against it.
Lived Experience: I've done my own EMDR work and know what it's like to sit in your chair. That personal experience shapes how I show up—with humility, compassion, and respect for the courage it takes to do this work.
Evidence-Based but Human: I trust the research and structure of EMDR, but I also trust that healing happens in relationship. You won't be a case study—you'll be a whole person with a unique story.
The Benefits of Online EMDR Therapy
Virtual therapy offers unique advantages. You're already in a safe space—your own home and familiar surroundings—which makes it easier to access difficult emotions. There's no transition time driving home after intense sessions.
​
Virtual therapy provides access to specialized care anywhere in Ontario, whether you're in Toronto, Thunder Bay, or a small town. You get flexibility without commuting or waiting rooms, with evening appointments available. Research confirms online therapy is just as effective as in-person sessions.
Take the First Step Today!
Here's what happens next:
Step 1: Book Your Free 15-Minute Consultation
We'll talk about what brings you to therapy, whether EMDR might be a good fit, and answer any questions you have. There's no pressure and no obligation—this is just a conversation to see if we're a good match.
Step 2: Schedule Your First Session
If we decide to work together, we'll schedule your first full session. I have daytime and evening appointments available to work with your schedule. You can book directly through my secure online booking system.
Step 3: Begin Your Healing
In our first few sessions, we'll get to know each other, discuss your goals, and I'll teach you some tools to help you feel safe and grounded. When you're ready, we'll begin the EMDR processing work.
I'm here when you're ready.
​
Serving adults across Ontario, including Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, London, Markham, Vaughan, Kitchener, Windsor, Newmarket, Bradford, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Innisfil, Barrie, Orillia, Muskoka (Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville), North Bay, Sudbury, Kingston, and surrounding communities!
Day and Evening appointments available.