EMDR Therapy Singapore – Reprocess The Past & Reclaim Your Present
You can’t change the past, but you can change how it lives in you.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Effective, compassionate counselling for anxiety, panic, and fear-based struggles.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based, structured therapy that helps people recover from trauma, anxiety, grief, and overwhelming life experiences without needing to talk through every detail.
Developed by psychologist Dr Francine Shapiro in 1987, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements, tapping, or tones) while you gently bring an experience to mind. It’s as if your brain gets the chance to finish processing what was too much at the time.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require you to describe your trauma in detail. You remain fully present and in control as the memory is re-stored with less emotional charge helping you shift from survival to integration.
At Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy, EMDR therapy is delivered in a safe, trauma-informed space at your pace, and with deep respect for your story.
Whether you’re carrying the weight of a single incident or years of unspoken pain, EMDR offers a path to healing that is:
Structured, flexible, and client-centred
Scientifically supported, evidence-based, and recognised as a gold-standard treatment for trauma by WHO, NICE, and APA
Compassionately delivered and emotionally attuned
Holistic and relational, grounded in empathy and presence
Healing doesn’t mean forgetting the past. It means reclaiming your present — with less fear, less shame, and more choice.
How EMDR Therapy Works
EMDR in a Nutshell
EMDR is a structured, neuroscience-informed therapy that helps your brain complete unfinished emotional processing. Think of it as a way to “digest” memories that were too overwhelming at the time to fully process.
EMDR follows a clear protocol:
History taking and preparation come first — building trust, safety, and emotional tools.
Then we move to assessment and desensitisation, where upsetting memories are revisited briefly — not to relive them, but to reprocess them.
Dual Attention Stimulation (DAS) — such as side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or tones — engages both sides of the brain, like watching a ping pong match. This stimulates both the logical (left) and emotional (right) brain, helping them work together.
You might think of EMDR like a mental probiotic — something that helps your system process what it previously couldn’t digest. The memory gets unstuck, the emotional charge softens, and new beliefs emerge. For many, this leads to faster and more lasting change than traditional talk therapy.
The Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) Model
EMDR is based on the AIP model, which suggests our brains are naturally wired to heal. However, when trauma occurs, this processing system can become overwhelmed or blocked, leaving memories stuck and unprocessed.
These unprocessed memories may show up as:
Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
Overreactions or emotional numbness
Physical symptoms like tightness or fatigue
Negative beliefs such as “I’m not good enough”
EMDR reactivates the brain’s processing system using dual attention — the client keeps one foot in the past (recalling the event) and one in the present (engaging in bilateral stimulation). This gentle, structured process helps the memory lose its emotional charge and become integrated into your life story — no longer running the show.
The REM Sleep Parallel
EMDR mimics the process of REM sleep, when the brain naturally processes emotional material. Through bilateral stimulation, the brain completes the work it couldn’t do at the time of the trauma.
EMDR doesn’t erase the past. It changes how the past lives in you.
What Brings People to EMDR Therapy?
Not everyone who comes to EMDR therapy uses the word “trauma.” Some say they feel stuck, overwhelmed, or that something just isn’t right. EMDR can help with:
Big T trauma – such as car accidents, physical or sexual assault, natural disasters, or sudden loss
Small t trauma – ongoing stress, emotional neglect, persistent criticism, or school shame
Quiet trauma – the invisible hurts that accumulate over time and often go unnoticed by others, such as feeling unwanted, unseen, or emotionally unsupported
Single-incident trauma – one-time events like accidents, medical emergencies, robberies, or public humiliation that continue to cause distress
Multiple-incident trauma – repeated distressing experiences over time, such as bullying, domestic abuse, or repeated medical procedures
Complex trauma – chronic exposure to interpersonal trauma, especially in childhood, where the nervous system adapts for survival in an unsafe environment
Existential trauma – events that shatter one’s worldview, such as earthquakes, war, refugee experiences, sudden losses, or witnessing death
Including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like parental conflict, emotional unavailability, bullying, divorce, caning, or growing up with addiction or mental illness in the family
Early disruptions in secure bonding that affect adult relationships, trust, and self-worth whether because of divorce, separation, sudden early death, even departure of a caregiver maid or relocation to a different country.
Relationship trauma – betrayal, abandonment, emotional neglect
Including negative experiences from surgeries, failed anaesthesia, chronic illness, difficult fertility journeys, cancer diagnoses, or fear of medical settings and injections
Where underlying emotional pain, shame, or unresolved trauma may drive compulsive behaviours
Such as fear of flying, social situations, or public speaking, insects or even leaving the house
Especially when rooted in unresolved emotional memories or complex trauma
Persistent inner criticism, guilt, or feelings of not being good enough
Emotional overload or caregiving fatigue
Loss and grief – especially when feelings feel blocked or confusing
Life transitions – job loss, identity shifts, divorce, relocation
How Do You Know If EMDR Might Help?
You don’t have to wait for a diagnosis. EMDR may be right for you if:
Persistent and excessive worry about a wide range of everyday matters for at least six months. Individuals with GAD often feel restless, fatigued, and have difficulty concentrating. For example, someone with GAD may constantly worry about family safety or work performance, even when there is no specific reason to be concerned.
Characterised by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks—sudden periods of intense fear that can include sweating, chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath. These attacks often occur without warning. For example, a person may experience a panic attack in a crowded shopping centre, causing them to avoid similar locations in the future.
Intense fear of being in places or situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable. This could include being in open spaces, public transport, or crowds. Individuals with agoraphobia often avoid leaving their homes. For instance, a person may avoid travelling far from home due to the fear of having a panic attack.
A deep fear of social situations where one might be judged, embarrassed, or humiliated. This often leads to avoiding social interactions, public speaking, or meeting new people. For example, someone with social anxiety might avoid speaking in meetings at work, fearing judgement.
An extreme, irrational fear of specific objects or situations that pose little to no actual danger. Common phobias include fear of heights, spiders, flying, or blood. These fears can severely limit one’s daily life. For example, someone with a fear of flying might avoid all air travel, even when it’s necessary for work or personal reasons.
Excessive fear or anxiety about being separated from significant attachment figures, typically parents or loved ones. This disorder, more common in children, can also affect adults. For example, a child may refuse to attend school due to fear of being away from their parents, or an adult might experience anxiety about their partner travelling.
Consistent failure to speak in specific social situations (e.g., school or work) where speaking is expected, despite speaking normally in other settings. This is more common in children. For example, a child may speak freely at home but remain silent when at school.
8 Phases of EMDR Therapy
EMDR is a structured therapy. Here’s what the journey may look like:
We identify target memories and plan the therapeutic focus.
You learn grounding tools and build internal resources for safety.
We choose a memory and assess its components (image, emotions, beliefs, sensations).
Bilateral stimulation begins while you focus on the memory.
We strengthen a more adaptive belief (e.g., “I’m safe now”).
You check for any lingering physical tension or discomfort.
Every session ends with grounding and emotional stabilisation.
At the next session, we review progress and identify next steps.
The Three-Pronged Approach: Past, Present, and Future.
Healing the Past, Empowering the Present, Preparing for the Future
EMDR doesn’t just focus on isolated memories — it views healing as a dynamic process across time. The three-pronged approach ensures that we address not only the root causes of distress, but also your current challenges and future resilience.
EMDR helps process and reframe unresolved events and traumas that shaped your core beliefs and emotional reactions. These memories often drive your present responses, even if you’re not consciously aware of them.
We work with the triggers and stressors you’re facing now — whether it’s emotional reactivity, anxiety, or relational difficulties. These are often echoes of unprocessed past experiences, and EMDR helps you respond more calmly and effectively.
EMDR builds capacity for what lies ahead. By installing adaptive responses and positive beliefs, you can rehearse future situations with confidence and clarity — whether it’s setting boundaries, facing a fear, or simply trusting yourself again.
This forward-looking framework makes EMDR not just a tool for trauma relief, but a path to self-trust, growth, and lasting change.
EMDR is recognised by the DSM-5 framework and international guidelines as a recommended treatment for PTSD. You can explore your symptoms using the PCL-5 Checklist, a screening tool aligned with the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.
Many people forget how long-buried emotional neglect, childhood punishment, or school bullying can resurface years later as anxiety, depression, or avoidance. Even post-natal depression, once dismissed as “baby blues,” may be rooted in unprocessed trauma.
Whether your pain comes from a single event or years of emotional bruises, EMDR can help bring resolution where talking alone may not.
Why Choose Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte. Ltd.
Professionally Trained by EMDR HAP USA and over 15 years of EMDR experience..
Trained in Other Trauma Modalities like Somatic Experiencing, Brainspotting , IFS which complement EMDR.
Culturally Sensitive & Globally Informed
Respectful of Complex, Delicate Issues
Safe Respectful Non-Judgemental & Confidential Space
Taking the Next Step
Feeling overwhelmed by memories or emotional triggers? You don’t have to carry them alone. At Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte. Ltd., we offer EMDR therapy in Singapore to help you process trauma safely, at your pace.
Whether it’s a single event or years of pain, EMDR offers you a path back to yourself. Reach out today to begin your healing journey with a certified, trauma-informed EMDR therapist.
📍 In-person at International Plaza, Anson Road, or via Zoom
📧 admin@listeningearclinic.com
📞 +65‑89502162
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Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR (FAQs)
EMDR therapy works by helping your brain reprocess unhealed memories that are causing current distress. Through bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or tones), your brain is guided to “digest” stuck experiences, similar to how it processes information during REM sleep. This allows emotional charge to be released, helping you feel less reactive and more in control. EMDR activates your brain’s natural healing system without needing to relive every detail of the trauma.
EMDR and hypnotherapy are both used to access deeper emotional material, but they work differently. EMDR is structured, client-led, and keeps you fully conscious and in control. Hypnotherapy often involves a trance-like state and suggestions from the therapist. EMDR is evidence-based and recommended for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression by WHO and leading mental health authorities.
Results vary depending on the person and issue. A single traumatic event (e.g. a car accident) might resolve in a few sessions. More complex trauma like childhood neglect or repeated emotional harm can take longer. However, EMDR is often faster than traditional therapy, and many clients feel real progress within 6–12 sessions.
EMDR may not be suitable in certain situations, such as:
Current instability or lack of safety (e.g. ongoing abuse, active addiction)
Untreated severe dissociation or psychosis
Lack of basic emotional regulation tools (EMDR begins only after preparation work)
Serious medical or neurological issues that affect attention or processing
Your therapist will always assess readiness and tailor the pace. The goal is to ensure safety and stability before beginning reprocessing.
The frequency of EMDR sessions depends on your needs and emotional readiness. While many people start with weekly sessions, others may do twice a week during more intense phases or space them out over time to allow for integration.
Short-term cases (e.g. single-incident trauma) may resolve in 6–12 sessions.
Long-term or complex trauma (e.g. childhood neglect, attachment wounds) may require more time.
EMDR sessions often run 60–90 minutes, which is longer than typical talk therapy, to allow for full processing and closure.
Your therapist at Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy will work with you to set a pace that supports your healing — safely and respectfully.
Many people think EMDR is just about eye movements or tapping but that’s only one part of the process.
EMDR follows an 8-phase protocol, designed to support safety, clarity, and deep healing:
History Taking :– Exploring key experiences and triggers
Preparation :– Teaching grounding skills and creating emotional safety
Assessment :– Identifying a specific memory and negative belief
Desensitisation :– Introducing bilateral stimulation (BLS) (e.g. eye movements, tapping)
Installation :– Reinforcing a new, empowering belief
Body Scan – Checking for any lingering tension or discomfort
Closure :– Grounding and return to calm
Re-evaluation :– Tracking progress and planning next steps
You may not begin bilateral stimulation right away. In fact, much of the early work (especially in complex trauma or anxiety) involves resourcing, stabilisation, and building trust — which are still essential parts of EMDR.
At Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy, we tailor your EMDR journey using the three-pronged approach:
Healing the Past :- Targeting root memories
Empowering the Present :- Reducing emotional triggers
Preparing for the Future :- Rehearsing healthier responses
We also use specialised protocols for different issues like phobias, grief, medical trauma, or attachment wounds. In some cases, bilateral stimulation may be used early but only for strengthening resources like a “calm place” or “inner protector,” not memory processing.
So even if it doesn’t feel like “something is happening,” your brain is already preparing safely, gently, and effectively.
Yes, EMDR can be done effectively over Zoom or other secure platforms. Many clients have experienced real breakthroughs using virtual EMDR, especially when travel or mobility is an issue.
However, there are a few important considerations:
✅ What makes virtual EMDR work:
A quiet, private space where you feel safe to reflect and process
A strong internet connection and camera that allows clear eye contact
Guidance on bilateral stimulation (BLS) that works for you such as:
Following the therapist’s fingers on screen
Using remote tools like vibrating buzzers or tapping apps
Doing self-tapping (e.g., butterfly hugs)
⚠️ What to be careful of:
Lack of privacy at home may affect your ability to feel safe and focused
Strong emotional reactions might be harder to contain without someone physically present
Distractions (phones, people, noises) can interrupt the flow of processing
Because of this, virtual EMDR may progress more slowly especially during the preparation and resourcing stages. Some clients need more time to settle into the rhythm and feel secure doing deeper memory work online.
That said, many clients find that slower isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it can allow space to integrate insights and build stronger emotional tools before reprocessing begins.
At Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte. Ltd., your safety and comfort guide the pace — whether in person or online.