EMDR THERAPY
WHAT IS EMDR THERAPY?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, research‑supported therapy designed to help the brain process difficult experiences, reduce emotional distress, and build healthier patterns of thinking and responding. EMDR is widely used with children, adolescents, and adults, and is recommended by international clinical guidelines for trauma‑related difficulties, as well as anxiety and depression. EMDR is flexible and can be adapted for all ages — from young children to adults — using developmentally appropriate tools, metaphors, and strategies.EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence‑based therapeutic approach that helps the brain process distressing or overwhelming experiences in a safe and structured way. Instead of relying solely on talking, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or sound) to activate the brain’s natural healing system. This allows memories, sensations, and emotions that feel “stuck” to be reprocessed so they no longer trigger the same level of distress. EMDR is grounded in neuroscience and is widely recognised for its effectiveness in treating trauma, anxiety, and a range of emotional difficulties. The process is gentle, collaborative, and tailored to each person’s pace and capacity.
WHO IS EMDR THERAPY FOR?
EMDR is suitable for children, teens, and adults who have experienced stress, trauma, or emotionally overwhelming events. It can support individuals who struggle with anxiety, phobias, grief, attachment wounds, bullying, medical trauma, family conflict, or difficult life transitions. EMDR is also adaptable for neurodivergent clients, including those with ADHD or autism, when delivered through a sensory‑aware, developmentally attuned approach. Whether the challenges are recent or long‑standing, EMDR helps people make sense of their experiences and move forward with greater emotional stability and resilience.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EMDR THERAPY?
EMDR can create meaningful shifts in a relatively short timeframe by helping the brain process memories that continue to influence emotions, behaviours, and self‑beliefs. Many clients experience reduced anxiety, fewer trauma symptoms, improved emotional regulation, and a stronger sense of internal safety. EMDR can also support improvements in sleep, confidence, and daily functioning. Because it works with the brain’s natural processing system, EMDR often leads to long‑lasting change without needing to revisit every detail of the past. The goal is not to erase memories, but to help them feel less activating so clients can respond to life with more clarity and calm.
HOW DOES EMDR THERAPY WORK?
Unlock your potential with tailored EMDR sessions that promote emotional healing and resilience.EMDR follows a structured eight‑phase model that includes history‑taking, resourcing, identifying target memories, and guided reprocessing using bilateral stimulation. During reprocessing, the client focuses on a distressing memory while simultaneously engaging in a task that taxes the working memory — such as eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds. Because the working memory can only hold a limited amount of information at once, this dual‑attention process reduces the intensity and vividness of the memory, allowing the brain to store it in a more adaptive, less overwhelming way. Clients remain fully in control throughout the process, and sessions are paced carefully to ensure emotional safety. Over time, people often notice that triggers feel less activating, their reactions become more manageable, and they can access new perspectives that support healing and long‑term resilience.
ASSESSMENT PACKAGES
ASSESSMENT AT RISE UP PSYCHOLOGY?
Marama is a highly experienced psychologist with a strong background in cognitive, educational and neurodevelopmental assessment. She has worked extensively across school settings, private practice and multidisciplinary environments, giving her a deep understanding of how learning, attention, memory, processing and behavioural factors influence a young person’s daily functioning.
She is skilled in administering and interpreting gold‑standard assessment tools, including the WISC‑V, WIAT‑III, adaptive behaviour measures, MIGDAS, and structured developmental interviews. Marama’s expertise covers the assessment of learning difficulties, intellectual profiles, giftedness, ADHD and Autism, as well as complex presentations where multiple factors overlap. She is particularly experienced in differentiating between learning challenges, attentional difficulties and neurodevelopmental traits to ensure each assessment is accurate and meaningful.
Marama’s assessment process is thorough, supportive and developmentally informed. She integrates standardised testing, behavioural observations, developmental history and functional impacts to build a clear and comprehensive understanding of each individual’s strengths and challenges. Her reports are detailed, practical and easy to understand, providing clear diagnostic clarity and actionable recommendations that support families, schools and young people to move forward with confidence.
LEARNING PACKAGES INCLUDE...
INTELLECTUAL ASSESSMENT
An intellectual assessment provides a detailed understanding of an individual’s cognitive abilities and overall thinking profile. It explores areas such as verbal reasoning, visual‑spatial skills, working memory, processing speed and problem‑solving. These assessments are commonly used to identify intellectual strengths, clarify learning needs, explore giftedness, identify intellectual disability and understand why a child or teen may be struggling at school.
This assessment is suitable for children, adolescents and adults who may be experiencing academic difficulties, inconsistent performance, challenges with attention or memory, or who require clarity around their cognitive abilities for educational planning.
LEARNING ASSESSMENT
A learning assessment provides a detailed understanding of an individual’s academic skills and how they are performing in areas such as reading, writing, spelling and mathematics. It helps identify learning difficulties, clarify why a student may be struggling, and guide appropriate supports at school and home. Learning assessments are commonly used to explore concerns around literacy, numeracy, academic progress, inconsistent performance or barriers to learning.
This assessment is suitable for children, adolescents, and adults adults who may be experiencing challenges with classroom tasks, falling behind expected levels, or requiring clarity around their learning profile for educational planning.
AUTISM ASSESSMENT
An Autism assessment provides a detailed understanding of an individual’s social communication profile, behavioural patterns, sensory needs and developmental history. It helps clarify whether a person meets criteria for Autism and identifies the supports that will best assist them at home, school and in daily life. Autism assessments are commonly sought when there are concerns about social interaction, emotional regulation, sensory sensitivities, restricted interests or differences in communication.
This assessment is suitable for children, adolescents who may be showing signs of neurodivergence or who require diagnostic clarity for school adjustments, NDIS access, or a better understanding of their strengths and support needs.
ADHD ASSESSMENT
An ADHD assessment provides a detailed understanding of an individual’s attention, executive functioning, emotional regulation and behavioural patterns. It helps clarify whether the person meets criteria for ADHD and identifies the supports that will best assist them at school, home and in daily life. ADHD assessments are commonly sought when there are concerns about inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, organisation, working memory or difficulties keeping up with academic or daily tasks.
This assessment is suitable for children, adolescents who may be experiencing challenges with focus, restlessness, task completion, emotional regulation or inconsistent performance across settings. It can also assist with school adjustments, access to supports and clearer understanding of individual learning needs.