Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

If you’re struggling with trauma, EMDR can help you manage your challenges. It can help you fully process and integrate traumatic memories and reduce the distress associated with these memories.

Here at Masterpiece Psychology, we can help you understand and overcome your symptoms by devising a comprehensive treatment plan with EMDR and other evidence-based methods so you can live more fully and with a greater sense of peace and security.

How EMDR Works

EMDR therapy is based on the idea that the mind can heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. This type of therapy uses bilateral sensory input, such as side-to-side eye movements, hand tapping, or audio stimulation. These actions “unfreeze” traumatic memories, allowing your brain to process and integrate them in a more adaptive way.  Below is an overview of the process:

History Taking and Treatment Planning

In this phase, we gather detailed information about your history and current situations. This includes exploring some past traumatic events, current triggers, and your future goals. After collecting the information, we’ll devise a personalised treatment plan for you.

Closure

This phase is essential for ensuring that you leave each session feeling better than you arrived. We will help you return to a state of equilibrium using the calming techniques taught in the preparation phase.  We’ll also review the progress and discuss any experience or insight you gained from the session.

Preparation

We will explain the theory and methods of EMDR, addressing any of your questions or concerns. We’ll also teach you self-control techniques and coping strategies, such as mindfulness or calming exercises, to manage emotional distress or overwhelming feelings you might have during therapy.

Desensitisation and Reprocessing

We will ask you to focus on a specific target memory and the associated thoughts and emotions while engaging in bilateral stimulation (usually eye movements). This process will help in reducing the emotional charge of the memory. We’ll do several sets of these bilateral stimulations with brief pauses to discuss your experience.

Re-evaluation

At the beginning of the next session, we will check your current mental state and review the effects of the previous session.  We’ll assess your response to the previous target and determine if further reprocessing is needed. We’ll also identify new areas that may need to be addressed as part of the ongoing treatment.

Here at Masterpiece Psychology, we create a comprehensive treatment plan with EMDR technique and other evidence-based methods. We’ll help you lessen the impact of the memories of past traumatic events and negative thoughts you may have about yourself. 

Our ultimate goal is to help you enhance your resilience against your triggers and stressors so you can improve your quality of life significantly.

How EMDR Can Help You Overcome Trauma

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) helps by changing how the brain handles traumatic memories.

Normally, these memories are intense and disturbing, causing flashbacks, anxiety, and other symptoms. EMDR works by making these memories have less emotional impact and changing negative beliefs linked to the trauma (like “I am powerless”) into positive ones (like “I am strong”).

During EMDR therapy, we’ll make sure that you feel safe and supported, especially as revisiting trauma can be tough. We’ll also provide ways to cope with any distress that comes up during treatment.

The goal is not just to help with symptoms of trauma but also to improve your resilience and overall coping mechanisms, making you feel more empowered and in control.

Take The First Step To A Better Quality Of Life

Step 1

Book session

Book an appointment with us so we can figure out your needs and find the best psychologist for you.

Step 2

Planning the treatment
We will conduct a thorough assessment to understand your specific symptoms and other relevant factors. From there, we’ll work out a personalised plan to help you feel better.

Step 3

Treatment and monitoring
We encourage you to attend your sessions regularly to ensure your needs are met and so we can monitor your progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

Get In Touch

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Our Promise

Comprehensive Services

We offer a range of evidence-based, drug-free treatments for anxiety , trauma, neurodiversity, poor sleep and chronic pain.

Expertise and Experience

Masterpiece Psychology was founded by Renee Mill, a clinical psychologist and occupational therapist with 40 years of clinical experience. She is a dedicated researcher on anxiety solutions. She has written three books and a treatment manual on anxiety and has presented to various organisations and media outlets.

Renee has handpicked her team of highly qualified psychologists, psychotherapists, and hypnotherapists and guarantees you will receive quality services and professionalism.

Warm and Caring Environment

From our practitioners to our reception staff, the whole team is empathic and supportive to ensure that you feel understood and cared for throughout your therapy journey.

Professional Fees That Suit Every Budget

Our psychologists have varying fees that can suit every budget. This allows us to help more people of all ages and from all walks of life.

Face-to-face, & Telehealth Sessions Available

Choose sessions that best fit your schedules and preferences. We can help you even if you live in far locations, have mobility issues, or prefer the comfort of your own home.

Caring Sydney Clinicians you can trust

Renee Mill

Director, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Supervisor and Best Selling Author

Tess Moffat Sosa

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Julia Garami

Clinical Psychologist

Donna Alderson

Psychotherapist / Mediator

Priya Gauchan

Registered Psychologist

Natalie Majdanzic

Provisional Psychologist

Yiss Mill

Drumbeat Practitioner

Marcelle Maisel

Hypnotherapist
Don’t Be Afraid To Seek Help

Where to find us

Location: Suite 18, Level 3, Edgecliff Mews, 201 New South Head Rd, Edgecliff NSW 2027

Public Transportation: Masterpiece Psychology is only a 1-minute walk from Edgecliff Station. Several bus routes go past the offices of Masterpiece Psychology.

Parking: On-street parking is available, and paid parking stations are nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

While EMDR was initially developed for PTSD and trauma, it has since been found effective for various issues, including anxiety, depression, and certain phobias.
The effectiveness and speed can vary. Some individuals experience improvements relatively quickly, while others may need more time. The overall treatment duration depends on the complexity of the person’s issues.
No, EMDR does not erase memories. It changes the way these memories are stored in the brain, reducing their emotional impact.
EMDR is generally considered safe. It might initially bring up intense emotions or physical sensations, but our trained therapists will guide you the process to ensure safety and support.
During EMDR, you may experience various emotions and physical sensations as you revisit traumatic memories. We will guide you through these experiences to help you process them safely.
It’s highly recommended to do EMDR with a trained therapist. We provide necessary guidance and support, ensuring the therapy is effective and safe.
The number of sessions varies based on individual needs. Some may see significant improvement in fewer sessions, while others with more complex histories may require more.
EMDR doesn’t require you to discuss your traumatic experiences in detail if you’re not comfortable. The focus is more on your internal experiences than on the external details of the event.
If EMDR doesn’t seem effective, we can look at other therapeutic options. The effectiveness can vary, and sometimes a different approach might be more suitable.

In order to remove symptoms of anxiety, pain, and trauma, one needs to unwire old neural pathways and rewire the brain with new, functional pathways. Traditional counselling does not do this. That is why we have introduced up to date, evidence technologies to facilitate this and supplement conventional treatments.

At Masterpiece Psychology we see our clients as individuals with needs, with a voice and with concerns. We take our time to get to know you so that we do not simply provide a one-size-fits-all solution.

We recommend a 3-session assessment in which you meet your psychologist and get to know each other. In the third session, you are given options and psychoeducation so that you are part of the treatment plan. A good relationship with your practitioner and feeling understood and cared for are essential parts of successful treatment.

No, you do not need a referral to see a psychologist. However, if you wish to receive a Medicare rebate, you do need to consult with a GP and obtain a mental care plan.

Individuals, couples, and families commonly see us without a mental care plan. Many people have been referred directly by word of mouth, with recommendations from their family, friends, or school, or visiting our website online.

In order to receive a Medicare rebate, you will need to first go to your GP who will determine your eligibility for a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). You have the right to choose the Registered or Clinical Psychologist you wish to see. You must bring your MHCP to your initial appointment.

Please note, it is up to your GP to grant the Mental Health Care Plan as well as the number of sessions you are eligible for. The Intake Specialists at Masterpiece Psychology Practice will do their best to assist you. It is not their fault if a GP does not give the documentation you require, or Medicare refuses a payment. Please be courteous and respectful to our staff.

Acquiring a new Mental Health Care Plan is necessary for each calendar year and involves ongoing reviews with your GP. Currently, you need to go at least twice to your GP in a calendar year. You need to go initially to get the plan and after session 6 for a review.

Our Intake Specialists are available to assist you with this complicated process.

Fees are consistent with the Australian Psychological Society’s recommended rates. Session fees are payable at the time of the consultation. We accept Mastercard, Visa, Eftpos, and AFTERPAY.

We take full payment from you. We can process the Medicare claim for you as long as you have provided us with your Medicare Card details. For private health fund rebates, the onus is on you to claim your rebate.

If you have a mental health care plan from your GP, you can receive a Medicare rebate of:

  • $137.05 for a Clinical Psychologist per session for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.
  • $93.35 for a Registered Psychologist per session for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.
  • Once you reach your Medicare safety net, Medicare will cover 85% of the fee.
Rebates can be claimed through most private health funds. The amount will vary depending on your fund and your level of coverage.

When you call to make an appointment, you will speak with one of our friendly and caring Intake Specialists. They will answer any questions you have and work with you to find a time that suits you for an appointment. If you do not have a specific therapist in mind, they will need to ask a few brief questions to determine which psychologist is best suited to your needs.

If you have not seen a Clinical Psychologist or Psychologist before, it is common to feel a little anxious or hesitant about making the initial appointment. Most people feel more at ease once they have made that initial contact and attended their first appointment. We provide a warm, caring, and supportive atmosphere and are happy to answer questions at any time.

We recommend that you book at least 10 appointments when making your initial appointment, to avoid delays in follow-up appointments. Psychologists usually recommend seeing a client weekly to start to obtain the best results. Later, sessions may be spaced out depending on your individual needs. You and your psychologist will determine this together.

Our current policy is not to make a single booking for a new client. We have learnt from experience how demoralising it is to find a psychologist you like, be ready to proceed with treatment but cannot, as there are no available sessions. Our policy is for your benefit and well-being so please cooperate with the Intake Specialist.

You may not feel better straight away, sometimes people even feel worse before they begin to feel better. Meaningful change takes time. Therefore, it is important to persevere and not to miss appointments. If you are frustrated or want to cancel, please discuss what you are going through with your psychologist before dropping out.

We have limited capacity for bulk billing. However, as we are a placement for provisional psychologists, we do offer sessions for $140 per session with the student or pro bono in cases of financial need.

In rare cases, when we do bulk bill, it is only for individuals who have a Centrelink/Concession Card (Commonwealth Government Health Care card), a valid Medicare card and a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP.

To encourage people to keep all their appointments, we have regrettably brought in a cancellation fee for bulk billing clients and clients working with a student. This fee of $50 is applicable for all clients who do not cancel 24 hours in advance.

We like to work with committed patients who demonstrate their commitment.

Bulk billing clients, or pro bono clients, who do not show up for their initial appointment will be removed from the calendar. If 2 consecutive sessions are missed without proper cancellation, all subsequent appointments will be removed from the system.

We require cancellation with a minimum of 24 hours in advance. We send reminder texts 48 hours before a session so it is easy to cancel if you cannot make it. We appreciate it if 48 hours’ notice, or more, is provided if you need to reschedule an appointment. Failure to cancel without 24 hours’ notice incurs the full appointment fee.

Clinical Psychologists are Registered Psychologists who have extended their training. Clinical Psychologists have a minimum of a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with a further two years of supervised clinical practice after receiving their degree. Clinical Psychologists have Clinical Psychology endorsement with the Psychology Board of Australia and are Clinical Psychology providers under Medicare.

All our psychologists are experienced clinicians and are supervised by the Principal, Renee Mill ensuring high-quality psychological care.

Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your first appointment to complete any required paperwork.

Your first session is dedicated to obtaining some background information, a detailed understanding of the nature of your concerns and the areas where you would like our help. Sometimes a plan of treatment is discussed in the first session but often it is not. A lot of background detail may be required before treatment formulation is complete. Your psychologist will answer any questions to provide clarity and confidence in the way forward.

If you are coming about your child, our Intake Specialist will inform you about who needs to be at the first session and what is required.

If you are seeking couple counselling, there may be specific requirements that you will be told about.

Sessions are 50 minutes long. At Masterpiece Psychology, we start and end sessions on time. If you are late, your session will still end at the same time. Please be mindful of the time in the sessions and work with your psychologist to keep within the time limit.
This will depend on your individualised treatment plan. Your psychologist will collaborate with you to decide on an effective treatment path that will suit your needs.

We live in a society where the medical model prevails. It is a sickness model. You go to the doctor when things are not working and they “fix” you, usually with medication. While medication for ADHD is highly successful for many children, they are not for everyone.

Masterpiece Psychology utilises other, well-proven, researched treatments for ADHD.

While there is no cure for autism, we can improve clients’ self-regulation and social skills which vastly improve quality of life.