REM stands for ‘rapid eye movement,’ and is typically associated with the deep state of sleep when we tend to dream.  REM is a tool we use in therapy to get the brain moving and thinking about things that bother us in a new way.  Since REM is a big part of what we do in trauma treatment, we decided to use it as part of our name.

‘Counselling’ and ‘psychotherapy’ are often used interchangeably.  The act of psychotherapy is governed by several regulating bodies in Ontario, including the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), so some Social Workers are Psychotherapists, as well.  The title of Counsellor, on the other hand, is unregulated, meaning anyone can call themselves a Counsellor regardless of training or qualifications.  So, when it comes to choosing a mental health professional, it should be noted that Psychotherapists are Counsellors, but not all Counsellors are Psychotherapists. 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy used to treat trauma. It was developed in the 1980’s in the U.S. and was first used with combat veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is known to be effective in treating stress symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, panic attacks, anxiety and phobias, depression, over-reactive anger, sleep disturbance, and more.  More information can be found on the EMDR International Association and the EMDR Canada websites.

During an EMDR session, you are asked to think about distressing or traumatic memories while your therapist stimulates the brain through REM, which can be done as your eyes follow movement, or through use of audio or tactile devices.  EMDR is believed to be like a conscious version of REM sleep, which encourages the brain to reprocess painful memories in a safe environment.  The base goal of EMDR is to reduce feelings of upset caused by old, unresolved memories.  While different from traditional talk therapy, EMDR has been widely recognized as a valid mental health treatment option by regulating bodies around the world, including the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).   

Yes and no.  Although EMDR Therapy was developed in the 1980’s, and although it’s been validated as a good mental health treatment option, it still hasn’t quite “caught on” in Canada yet.  Case in point; There were less than 1200 EMDR-trained therapists registered with the EMDR Canada directory in the entire country, in 2024.  Still, we believe this is changing, as we often receive calls from new clients stating that a fellow health professional had encouraged them to seek EMDR Therapy as part of treatment.

Our current rate is $200 per 50-minute session. We offer online EMDR therapy across Ontario, or in-person therapy at our office in Markham, ON. For EMDR Intensives: $360 for the initial 90-minute assessment, then $1,200 per intensive day (in-person only). See Services & Rates for more details.

All of our therapists are EMDR-trained through EMDRIA-approved programs. EMDR is a big part of our identity as a practice, and we pride ourselves as experts in this type of therapy. Your therapy services may be provided by a Registered Social Worker (MSW, RSW), a Registered Psychotherapist (RP), or a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying).

Some clients may experience some “side effects” after EMDR sessions, such as headaches or fatigue, but these symptoms are temporary and are expected to subside. This type of therapy can be mentally and emotionally tiring, so we always encourage clients to take extra care of themselves while they participate in treatment.

Traditional therapy sessions are 50 minutes. EMDR Intensives, on the other hand, go on for 1-3 full days in quick succession, allowing for accelerated healing in a condensed period of time, and it could be a good alternative to traditional therapy for some people. We understand that participation in therapy can be a big emotional and financial investment.  While we really believe in the work we do, treatment time varies for each person.  For example, we’ve seen great success for some clients in under 12 sessions (equivalent to 2-3 Intensive days).  However, depending on the complexity of issues and frequency of participation, other clients may be involved in therapy for a year, or longer.

Yes. We often provide adjunct, short-term EMDR therapy support for clients who are already working with another individual or couples therapist. If you're already doing great work with your therapist, aren't looking to switch, but just want to "outsource" the EMDR part of your treatment, then we'd love to help. This allows you to get trauma symptom relief while continuing with your primary therapist, and there's no pressure to continue with long-term treatment with us.

Yes, EMDR works for the treatment of old traumas, including ones from childhood and youth (and remarkably, even infancy/toddler-hood), as well. We often work with adult survivors of physical, emotional/psychological, and/or sexual abuse in childhood. We believe that folks who’ve endured serious harm in their younger years often carry trauma throughout their lives, whether they may be fully aware of this, or not. EMDR therapy is an evidence-based approach to trauma treatment, and we are honoured to walk alongside our clients in their healing of these old wounds. Even if decades have passed, we know it’s not too late.

Many clients come to us for EMDR while in couples therapy. For example, you might be working on discernment counselling or affair recovery, and working through trauma symptoms during this time. Many clients tell us they shut down or feel overwhelmed during couples therapy, and that's a sign that trauma might be getting in the way of your progress. Short-term, adjunct EMDR therapy can help you feel more calm, grounded, and clear-minded, so that you can participate more openly, effectively and fully in the important couples work that you're doing.

Yes. We frequently work with coupled clients who wish to repair their relationship after infidelity, or clients who are figuring out what’s next for their relationship after an affair. EMDR can help reduce your trauma responses so you can think more clearly, heal, and engage more fully in your recovery process.

An EMDR intensive is an emerging therapy format where clients can choose to squeeze months of EMDR therapy into 1-3 full days. While it's not meant for everyone, EMDR intensives can be a great fit for those who have a very focused goal to work on, who want to "fast-track" their therapy progress, or who have limited time and want more time-efficient care. EMDR intensives can also be a good fit for those who haven't found lasting relief with traditional weekly therapy, who don't like the stopping and starting of weekly sessions, or who just want some short-term EMDR support while they work with their primary therapist.

REM Therapy Services offers in-person EMDR intensive programs at our Markham office. We often have clients travelling from out-of-town for their intensive program, so if you're in Ontario, feel free to reach out.

We do not currently offer therapy for children or teens.  However, we are happy to provide you with some referral resources for other practitioners who accept younger clients for treatment. Please reach out if you’d like more information.

Yes. REM Therapy Services has both male and female EMDR therapists on our team, and you’re welcome to choose whoever feels like the best fit for you. Our therapists provide tailored support to meet your unique needs and goals, so you can feel confident you’ll be working with someone who truly understands and supports you.

At REM Therapy Services we pride ourselves as authority and expert EMDR therapists.

Grace Kim (owner) is an EMDRIA Consultant-in-Training (CIT) and facilitates EMDRIA-approved EMDR basic training in partnership with Dr. Amanda Bell and Associates. We are so proud and excited for this partnership, as Dr. Bell offers a 50-hour online EMDR Basic Training approximately twice per year.

Yes, Grace Kim is an EMDRIA Consultant-in-Training (CIT). She offers 1:1 or dyadic clinical consultations for EMDR-trained therapists who are looking for some clinical support as they incorporate EMDR into their practice, or who are working toward their full EMDRIA certification. If you're a therapist looking to deepen your EMDR knowledge and tactical skill, you can sign up for online consultation support from anywhere in the world.

Yes, check out our free online mini-class: Why You're Overwhelmed - How Memories Shape Us, to learn more about EMDR-based theories about why you might be feeling overwhelmed, overly stressed, and find it hard to calm your mind and nervous system. If you’re curious about EMDR therapy, you can always schedule a free 15-minute intro call with one of our therapists, and we’d be happy to answer your questions too.

If you’re not sure if EMDR therapy is right for you yet, but you’re interested in learning more about stress-reduction through an EMDR-informed lens, check out our signature online course: Calm Your Mind, Achieve Your Potential. Whether you're overwhelmed by stress and anxiety, feeling stuck in the past or held back by limiting beliefs, this course helps you shift from mental chaos to inner calm - so you can confidently move forward and thrive.