Welcome: A Space for Trauma Healing, EMDR, and Coming Home to Yourself
Hi, and welcome. I’m so glad you’re here.
This blog is a space for people navigating the aftermath of trauma—whether that’s the invisible kind that shaped you as a child, the kind that makes it hard to feel present in your own body, or the kind that leaves you wondering why you can’t “just move on.”
I’m Sarah Moore, a trauma therapist and EMDR practitioner based in Ontario. I work with people who appear high-functioning on the outside, but inside are struggling with anxiety, emotional disconnection, dissociation, and a deep exhaustion from carrying it all.
Maybe talk therapy hasn’t gotten you the kind of relief you’re craving. Maybe you’re curious about EMDR, or you’ve heard terms like “parts work” or “nervous system regulation” and want to understand more.
This blog will cover:
What trauma really is (and how it lives in the body)
What EMDR and parts-informed therapy actually feel like
Signs of dissociation or developmental trauma
Ways to feel safer in your own body and relationships
Nervous system care, boundaries, and burnout recovery
What healing looks like—and how to know you’re on the right path
You’ll find compassion here, not quick fixes. If you’re curious about working together, I offer free consultations and would love to connect.
You can book one here or explore more about how I work at Anchor & Light Counselling.
Thank you for being here. You deserve healing that meets you where you are.
Warmly,
Sarah Moore, MSW, RSW
Trauma Therapist | EMDR Certified | Parts-Informed
What Is EMDR Therapy—and How Do I Know If It’s Right for Me?
“I’ve tried talk therapy, but I still feel stuck.”
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and EMDR might be the missing piece.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy used to help people heal from trauma and overwhelming experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require you to explain or analyze everything that happened. Instead, it helps your brain and body process what got stuck—so that painful memories and emotional responses lose their charge.
I use EMDR with many of my clients because it often leads to deep, lasting change, especially when other forms of therapy have hit a wall.
What Is EMDR, Exactly?
EMDR is an eight-phase therapy approach that uses bilateral stimulation—like eye movements, tapping, or sound—to help the brain process unhealed trauma. It’s based on the idea that trauma overwhelms our brain’s natural healing system. EMDR helps restart that system.
That might sound a little abstract, so here’s what it means in real life:
You may know something is “in the past,” but your body still reacts like it’s happening now. EMDR helps you shift that. It can bring relief from:
Intrusive thoughts or emotional flashbacks
Body tension or chronic anxiety
Panic attacks or sleep issues
Shame, guilt, or beliefs like “I’m not safe” or “I’m too much”
It’s commonly used for PTSD, but also for:
Childhood emotional and physical neglect
Relational trauma
Dissociation
Performance anxiety
Phobias
Medical trauma or birth trauma
Feeling “stuck” in talk therapy
What Happens During an EMDR Session?
If you’ve never experienced EMDR, it can feel a little different—but most clients tell me it feels strangely natural.
A typical session might include:
Talking about what’s coming up in your life and how it connects to earlier experiences
Identifying a target memory or sensation to process
Using bilateral stimulation (usually through eye movements or tapping) while you bring that memory or belief to mind
Letting your brain make new connections—without needing to “figure it out”
You don’t have to relive everything in detail. You stay grounded in the present while your system processes what was overwhelming at the time.
You might feel shifts immediately—or over a few sessions, notice that things that used to trigger you now feel neutral. Clients often say things like, “It still happened, but it doesn’t feel like it controls me anymore.”
How Do I Know If It’s Right for Me?
EMDR might be a good fit if:
You feel stuck, even though you’ve done therapy before
You struggle with anxiety, people-pleasing, shutdown, or self-blame
You notice strong emotional reactions that don’t always make sense
You suspect trauma is stored in your body, not just your thoughts
You want to heal—not just manage—old wounds
You don’t need a trauma “label” or a clear memory to benefit. EMDR works with how your body holds experience, even if your mind can’t fully explain it.
Let’s Explore Together
I offer EMDR therapy in-person and online to clients across Ontario. I also offer longer EMDR sessions (sometimes called “mini intensives”) for clients who want to go deeper with support.
If you’re curious but unsure, I offer free 15-minute consultations to talk about whether this might be right for you.
You deserve a therapy that meets you where you are—and helps you finally feel safe inside.
Sarah Moore, MSW, RSW
Trauma Therapist | EMDR Certified | Parts-Informed Therapy
What Does EMDR Feel Like? A Therapist’s Perspective
If you’ve been curious about EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) but feel unsure about what actually happens during a session — you’re not alone. Most new clients ask me: “What will it feel like?” or “Is it like hypnosis?”
The truth is, EMDR is structured, grounded, and collaborative — and while it can feel intense at times, it’s not mysterious or out of your control.
Here’s what you can expect.
You Stay Present — Even as You Revisit the Past
Unlike some talk therapies, EMDR helps you process unresolved trauma by using bilateral stimulation (like eye movements, sounds, or taps) while focusing on a specific memory or theme.
You don’t lose control. You don’t relive the memory in a chaotic way. Instead, your brain does what it naturally wants to do — make sense of things, let go, and find resolution.
It’s a Dialogue — Not Just Eye Movements
I’ll guide you through each step, checking in as we go. You’ll always know what’s coming next. Many clients tell me, “I didn’t realize how in control I would feel,” or “It’s more structured than I expected.”
Clients Often Say Things Like:
“It’s like my brain just… let go.”
“That memory doesn’t feel charged anymore.”
“I still remember it, but it doesn’t hurt the same way.”
EMDR doesn’t erase memories — it removes the emotional intensity, the stuck-ness, the constant triggering. For many, that’s what healing starts to feel like: spacious, less reactive, more grounded.
Your Nervous System Will Guide the Pace
Some sessions feel quiet and steady. Others bring emotion to the surface. There’s no right way to respond. Your nervous system knows what it’s ready to work with — and we respect that.
This is not about pushing through. It’s about giving your system the chance to finally resolve what’s been stuck for far too long.
You Don’t Have to Be “Ready” for Everything
People often worry they need to have all their trauma memories lined up, or that they’ll be expected to talk about things they’ve never spoken aloud.
Not true.
We start where it makes sense for you — and I’ll guide you through a clear preparation phase first. You’ll learn how to ground, resource, and regulate before we even begin trauma reprocessing.
Thinking About Starting?
You don’t need to have it all figured out to reach out. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, curious, or unsure where to begin, we can explore it together.
How Do You Know If You’re Ready for EMDR?
The truth?
You don’t have to feel 100% ready to start EMDR therapy. You just have to be curious.
Many people come to therapy unsure if they’re “ready” to face what’s happened — and that makes sense. Trauma teaches us to brace, to avoid, to stay small. So even the idea of healing can feel… big.
Here’s what I tell my clients:
You Might Be Ready for EMDR If…
You’ve done talk therapy but still feel stuck in patterns or symptoms.
You notice that certain memories, images, or body sensations keep resurfacing.
You want to heal, but you’re scared to revisit the past.
You feel both nervous and hopeful when you read about EMDR.
If that’s you — you’re not broken or behind. You’re exactly where so many others have been before healing started.
We Move at Your Nervous System’s Pace - The Pace of Trust
EMDR isn’t about diving into trauma right away. We start slow, building safety, grounding skills, and trust before touching anything painful.
You’ll never be rushed or pushed.
And sometimes, what people need isn’t full EMDR reprocessing yet — it’s nervous system support, stabilization, or working with dissociation gently.
That’s all valid, and all part of the process.
You Don’t Have to Be Ready — Just Willing
The “readiness” we look for isn’t about having everything processed or being totally fearless. It’s about this:
Can we build safety together — enough to begin?
If you’re curious, open, and looking for a trauma therapist who will go at your pace, you might be ready.
Have questions?
Let’s talk about where you are and what kind of support would feel right.
Click here to reach out. You don’t have to do this alone.