Virtual EMDR Therapy in Ontario
Some memories don't stay in the past. They live in your chest, your sleep, the way you flinch before anything has even happened. You've tried to reason your way out of it, and the reasoning never sticks. That's because the problem isn't sitting in your thoughts. Virtual EMDR therapy is available across Ontario, delivered online.
How does EMDR therapy work?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's a structured method for treating trauma and the reactions that trail behind it. Instead of talking a memory to death, you work with it directly while your brain does something it couldn't do at the time: file it away as over.
You don't have to describe every detail out loud. You don't have to relive the worst moment for an audience. The work is targeted, and you stay in control of the pace the whole way through.
Is EMDR therapy right for you?
This work fits men and young men carrying something they've never fully dealt with. A car crash. A loss. Violence. A childhood that taught you to keep your guard up and never put it down.
For a lot of the people we see, that unresolved weight sits directly under a drinking or using problem. Trauma runs, and the escape follows. That connection is why we often combine EMDR for trauma and addiction inside the same plan, rather than treating them as separate problems.
Younger clients can gain from it too, and we offer EMDR therapy for teens who are working through hard experiences. We generally work with clients aged 14 and up.
What can you expect in an EMDR session?
Sessions run 50 minutes, usually weekly. The first one is a structured conversation, not the hardest material on day one. Your therapist asks what brought you in, what's been happening, and what you want to change.
Once we identify a specific memory to target, the reprocessing begins. You focus on the memory while following a form of bilateral stimulation, often eye movements or tapping. Your therapist guides you, checks in often, and slows down whenever you need it.
Because we work over video, that stimulation is adapted for the screen and works the same way. Our approach to online sessions is built on the same evidence-based framework we use for in-person EMDR therapy across the province. Clients who prefer meeting face to face can also access EMDR therapy in Toronto at our clinic.
What changes, and what we won't promise
When a memory finishes processing, it loses its grip. You can think about it without your body reacting like it's happening again. The trigger that used to set you off starts to lose its power.
Clients tell us they find more clarity, steadier ground, and a clearer sense of who they are underneath the survival mode. We won't promise a cure or a fixed timeline. The process has ups and downs, and honest work sometimes means sitting with a hard stretch before it eases.
Your therapist holds a master's degree or higher. Ted Boyle is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (#843975), with lived experience in addiction recovery. Jordan Kritzinger is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) (#15440), practising under supervision.
Common questions
Does virtual EMDR work as well as in person?
Yes. Online EMDR uses the same protocol and the same bilateral stimulation as an in-office session, adapted for video. Online EMDR uses the same protocol and the same bilateral stimulation as an in-office session, adapted for video. What matters most is a stable connection, a private room where you won't be interrupted, and a therapist who knows how to guide the process. For many clients, doing this work from their own space actually makes it easier to stay grounded.
What happens if a session gets overwhelming?
Your therapist slows the process down or stops it before you leave feeling raw. EMDR is built with tools to keep you steady, and we use grounding techniques at the start and end of every session. You stay in control. If you need to pause the reprocessing, you say so, and we shift to settling your system before we close. You never have to white-knuckle through it alone.
How much does it cost, and will insurance cover it?
EMDR therapy is $220 for a 50-minute session, and we are a private-pay practice. We provide receipts you can submit to your insurer, though we can't guarantee reimbursement, so check your plan for coverage of a Registered Social Worker or Registered Psychotherapist. A quick call to your provider before starting saves surprises later. The first 20-minute consultation is free.
How do I know if I'm ready to start?
You're ready if you're willing to show up honest and open, even if you're nervous. You don't need to have it all figured out, and you don't need to feel brave. Plenty of the people we work with have never done therapy before, or tried something else that didn't help. If EMDR turns out not to be the right fit for you, we'll say so directly and adjust the plan.
The next step
You don't have to commit to anything today. Book a free 20-minute consultation, and we'll talk about what's going on and whether this is the right match. No pressure, no obligation to continue.
Jordan is currently accepting new clients and booking within the same week. Reach out by phone or text at (647) 289-1505, or send the consultation form and we'll respond the same day. Let's get to work.