EMDR Therapy in Ottawa and Embrun
Virtually across Ontario and Quebec
Danik Bernier, MSW, RSW is a Certified EMDR Therapist in the Ottawa and Embrun regions
EMDR Therapy to treat PTSD, phobias, childhood trauma, burnout, OCD rooted in trauma, depression and anxiety is offered in-person in Ottawa and Embrun, and virtually across Ontario and Quebec.
EMDR Therapy is evidence-based
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing — a type of therapy where we’re building a bridge between what the logical part of the brain knows (“I’m safe now”, “I have choices”, “I’m good enough”) and what the body is holding (“I’m unsafe”, “I’m stuck”, “I’m not good enough”). With EMDR Therapy, there is no trying to convince your body that you’re ok. You can finally start to feel ok.
What is EMDR Therapy?
It’s not your regular talk therapy — it’s where we do deep nervous system work so you can finally start to feel like your authentic self, or create your authentic self. EMDR Therapy gives people a chance at living life authentically because it treats the source of the nervous system activation and prepares the body for future, potentially triggering, situations. It’s where we work on releasing what is fuelling the Fight/Flight/Freeze/Fawn responses.
Danik Bernier, MSW, RSW is a bilingual EMDR Certified Therapist in the Ottawa and Embrun regions
Since opening the practice in 2022, EMDR Therapy has been Danik’s clinical focus. Danik Bernier offers EMDR Therapy in both English and French, and is recognized by the EMDR International Association as a Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDR Consultant-in-training. EMDR Therapy with Danik Bernier is available in-person in Ottawa or Embrun, virtually across Ontario and Quebec, and in an intensive format for extended sessions.
EMDR Therapy is used to treat multiple mental health challenges, not just trauma or PTSD.
In fact, Danik Bernier, MSW, RSW has treated the following conditions with the use of EMDR Therapy, combined with Ego State/IFS approaches, CBT and ERP:
OCD (when rooted in trauma)
Phobias
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Major Depression
Burnout
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Anxiety
Birth Trauma
Work-related trauma
EMDR Therapy is used for individuals, as well as professionals.
Danik Bernier is known as the therapist for postpartum moms in Ottawa and Embrun, but she also serves adults who are not parents. EMDR Therapy in Ottawa and Embrun is often a great fit for those who:
are sensitive
hold back their emotions
are frontline workers having experienced trauma on the job
are therapists and social workers themselves, experiencing symptoms of vicarious trauma
are in a leadership position.
FAQs
What can I expect from EMDR Therapy?You can expect a mental health treatment (different than counselling) in two phases. In the first phase, we assess needs, create a treatment plan, and prepare the nervous system for releasing what it needs to release and reorganize. In the second phase, we desensitize the nervous system from painful memories, install what the brain already knows is true (example: “I am good enough”), and prepare for future, potentially triggering situations. The process is never rushed and should never feel like the therapist is ripping out a Bandaid.
Is EMDR Therapy safe?EMDR Therapy is not more dangerous than any other type of therapy approach and is a safe modality when conducted with proper assessment of needs and preparation. Like any form of therapy, EMDR has its risks. Such risks may include: dissociation, increased anxiety and increase in intensity of depression symptoms and trauma-related symptoms. It’s important to note that not everyone will experience an increase in some or all mental health symptoms, and that an increase in mental health symptoms is usually temporary. Mental health symptoms tend to decrease in intensity when EMDR targets have been worked through and when resourcing techniques are used.
Is EMDR Therapy offered in French?Yes, Danik Bernier offers EMDR Therapy in both English and French. Danik Bernier is an EMDR Certified Therapist who is Francophone and speaks fluently in English.
La thérapie EMDR est offerte en français et en anglais par Danik Bernier, MSS, TSI. Danik Bernier est une thérapeute EMDR Certifiée Francophone et parle couramment l’anglais.
Can I do EMDR Therapy virtually?Yes, EMDR Therapy is available virtually and in-person. There is no right way of doing EMDR Therapy: what matters is your comfort level. EMDR Therapy is offered virtually across Ontario and Quebec, and in-person in Ottawa and Embrun if your preference is to receive therapy outside of your home.
Is homework given during EMDR Therapy?No, not in the traditional, CBT sense of the word. “Homework” in EMDR Therapy is never mandatory and is more so an invitation to practice grounding and resourcing techniques. This ensures the client knows what to do with the overwhelming sensations following a flashback, or knows what they can do to ensure their emotional safety.
Can EMDR Therapy guarantee relief, reduction, or removal of trauma and mental health symptoms?No. Just like any other therapy modality, it’s impossible to guarantee any outcomes during EMDR Therapy treatment and after. EMDR Therapy is the subject of ongoing research and is an evidence-based therapy modality, which means we have sufficient data showing consistent results when using the modality, but we cannot make any guarantees in terms of outcomes.
Is EMDR Therapy the same as Hypnotherapy?No, EMDR Therapy is not the same as Hypnotherapy, but both share similarities. Both are approaches that work with the nervous system and the subconscious part of the brain, where it is believed that trauma is stored. EMDR Therapy ensures that the client stays in control of the therapy session. Hypnotherapy can be conducted by anyone who is trained in the approach, whereas EMDR Therapy is strictly reserved as a psychotherapy modality, meant to be used only for those who are allowed to practice the regulated act of psychotherapy.