EMDR Therapy at HEARTH Therapy Studios

Sam Gummer | Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Practitioner

Sam is a member of EMDRAA (EMDR Association of Australia), providing both standalone EMDR psychotherapy and combined EMDR with Arts Psychotherapy. Therapeutic support for each client is personalised, neuro-inclusive, and trauma-responsive, emphasising respect for each individual’s pace, needs, and life experience. Through bilateral stimulation, creative techniques, imagery, and gentle storytelling, Sam facilitates emotional processing in a secure, steady, and attuned environment.

What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) helps process distressing or “stuck” experiences that persist as memories, emotions, or reactions. Traumatic events can disrupt brain processing, leading to ongoing distress. EMDR utilises bilateral stimulation (e.g., eye movements, tapping, sounds) to help the brain reprocess these memories in a safe and controlled environment. This reduces their intensity, making them easier to manage while remaining part of one’s story.

What does EMDR treat?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic approach developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Dr Francine Shapiro. Originally designed to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), EMDR uses specific eye movements to help individuals reduce the intensity of distressing thoughts and memories. Over time, it has become a well-established, evidence-based treatment supporting people with a broad range of challenges, including:

  • PTSD and complex trauma (CPTSD)

  • Anxiety and panic disorders

  • Phobias and fears

  • Grief and loss

  • Childhood or attachment trauma

  • Low self-worth and negative beliefs

  • Sensory or emotional overwhelm

  • Medical or birth trauma

  • Stress and burnout

  • Behavioural and emotional difficulties in children

The effectiveness of EMDR comes from its capacity to help the brain reprocess "stuck" experiences so these memories no longer provoke overwhelming or triggering reactions. This process supports emotional regulation and strengthens inner resilience, allowing individuals to move forward with greater ease and confidence.

How long does EMDR take?

The duration of EMDR therapy varies depending on individual needs and the complexity of the issues being addressed. Some notice improvements after a few sessions when addressing isolated traumas, while complex or long-term difficulties often require several months of treatment. Sessions typically last 60-90 minutes and occur on a weekly or biweekly basis. An initial assessment helps create a personalised plan suited to your goals.

Is EMDR right for me?

If you’ve experienced something that still feels like it resides in your body, influences your emotions, or appears in your daily life in ways you don’t always understand, EMDR might be a helpful choice. It can support people with diverse brains and bodies and can be tailored for neurodivergent individuals in safe and affirming ways.

EMDR & Creative Arts Psychotherapy

EMDR and Arts Psychotherapy integrate naturally, supporting healing in creative, embodied, and beyond-verbal ways. EMDR assists the brain and nervous system to safely reprocess experiences that may feel stuck or overwhelming, using techniques such as tapping, eye movements, rhythmic movement, or bilateral drawing. Arts Psychotherapy offers a creative and expressive space where thoughts, emotions, and sensations can be explored without relying solely on spoken language.

Together, these approaches support regulation, expression, and integration at a pace that feels safe and manageable. This combined pathway is neuro-inclusive and highly adaptable, providing meaningful support to individuals with diverse communication styles, sensory needs, learning profiles, and information processing styles. It is beneficial for those who find purely verbal therapy demanding or inaccessible, providing a steady, client-led approach that honours each person’s unique way of making sense of their experiences.

Sam provides attuned, individually tailored therapy that supports people of all ages and abilities in the ways their minds and bodies process information most effectively.

Booking and Enquiries

EMDR sessions are available at HEARTH Therapy Studios or online via a secure video platform. To inquire about availability or determine if EMDR might be right for you or your child, please don't hesitate to contact Sam.