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 EMDR Group Psychotherapy

​​​​After more than 25 years of working with survivors of trauma, Emma has experienced EMDR Therapy as the most effective, transformative approach for treating recent and historical trauma. She integrates EMDR into her overall therapeutic approach, offering it to individuals as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

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EMDR is a psychotherapy approach designed for working with distressing or traumatic memories and enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences.

 

The theory behind EMDR is that many psychological difficulties are the result of distressing life experiences which have not been stored in memory properly and are said to be unprocessed, or "stuck" causing ongoing emotional distress. These traumatic memories may need some help to become processed, and EMDR is one way to do this.

For more detailed information about EMDR please see: https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr

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EMDR Therapy in a Group 

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What is it?

Recognising the power of group work and the increasing need for trauma support, Emma expanded her work to include EMDR Group Therapy, co-developing an EMDR-based SVS Protocol (adapted from the G-TEP Model by E. Shapiro, 2019) to support survivors of sexual violence in a group setting.

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Being the first in Aotearoa New Zealand to provide EMDR Group Therapy for survivors of sexual violence, Emma and her colleagues were proud to establish the first ACC contract to have EMDR Group Treatment fully funded for survivors of sexual violence.

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Their pioneering work led to international recognition, being invited to contribute a Chapter to the EMDR Group Therapy Book:  Regina Morrow Robinson, E., & Kaptan, S. K. (Eds.). (2023). EMDR Group Therapy: Emerging Principles and Protocols to Treat Trauma and Beyond. Springer Publishing Company.

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Why Group Therapy?

  • Individual EMDR therapy in a supportive group setting

  • No sharing about the trauma in the group

  • Increased access to EMDR

  • Shared healing experiences

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Training and Consultations​

Emma and her colleague, Ceit Robinson, presented this work nationally at the EMDRNZ Conference 2022 in Wellington, and internationally at EMDRAA Conference in Adelaide, 2025.​​ 

They co-founded EMDR Group Therapy Aotearoa Ltd, EMDR Group Therapy Aotearoa offering training and consultation for EMDR therapists who wish to:

  • Incorporate group-based EMDR therapy into their practice

  • Specialize in the SVS Protocol for survivors of sexual violence

  • Apply EMDR group work to other populations in need of trauma support​

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Mental Health

Emma is trained and experienced in providing therapy for people experiencing mild to moderate mental health conditions. Emma does not provide crisis services, so should a person become significantly mentally unwell, she provides support through the referral process to an appropriate secondary service provider.

 

Fees

  • Therapy: $150 + GST each 50-minute session.

  • Supervision: $150 + GST per 50-minute session.

  • Group Supervision: Fee will be discussed with the Group or Organisation 

  • ACC Clients Fully Subsidised

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Group EMDR

  • Self-funded clients: $150 + GST each 90- 120-minute session.

  • ACC Clients fully subsidised.

  • Initial EMDR Group Consultation (Emma & Ceit) $360 + GST per 60-minute consultation

  • Ongoing EMDR Group consultation (Emma or Ceit) $200 + GST Per 60-minute consultation

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Cancellation

If you need to cancel your appointment, please provide 24 hours' notice so this time can be utilized, otherwise the full fee will be invoiced.

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Confidentiality

The service you receive is confidential. Your information is private and will not be discussed with others unless you request so, it is required by law, or there is a serious safety issue for yourself or others. Emma is ethically required to attend clinical supervision and may discuss your sessions anonymously to ensure best practice. Your contact details are not shared with anyone. 

Emma is a Full member and abides by the code of ethics of the Association of Psychotherapists Aotearoa New Zealand (APANZ)

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​© 2015 by Emma Sanderson Counselling.

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