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History & planning
Discuss your experiences, support and goals. Build a treatment plan together.
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EMDR Therapy in Winnipeg
Difficult experiences can continue to affect how you feel in daily life. Explore EMDR therapy in Winnipeg with Sheila Jensen, starting with your questions, goals and readiness.
In person · 50 minutes · $150 CAD
View Sheila’s EMDR appointments
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured therapy that helps people work with distressing memories and the thoughts, emotions and physical sensations connected with them.
During part of the process, you focus on a chosen memory while following guided side-to-side eye movements or another form of alternating stimulation, such as taps or sounds. This is called bilateral stimulation. Preparation and a shared plan come before this work. EMDR does not erase what happened; the aim is for memories to feel less distressing and have less influence on daily life.
At Alleviate, Sheila Jensen begins with your history, strengths and goals. You can discuss whether EMDR fits your needs before deciding how to move forward.
The eight phases of EMDR therapy
EMDR follows eight phases, with time for preparation, processing and reviewing progress. These phases can extend across several sessions and may be revisited. They are not a checklist to complete at your first appointment.
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Preparation
Learn ways to manage distress, ask questions and agree how to pause.
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Assessment
Choose a memory and explore its connected beliefs, feelings and sensations.
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Desensitization
Work with the memory using guided eye movements or other alternating stimulation.
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Installation
Strengthen a more helpful belief that feels meaningful and credible to you.
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Body scan
Notice how your body feels and explore any remaining tension or discomfort.
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Closure
Return attention to the present and plan for support between appointments.
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Reevaluation
Review changes at a later session and decide on the next steps together.
Is EMDR right for you?
You may be looking for support because an experience still feels close, even though it is in the past. Memories, reminders or strong reactions can be difficult to manage.
EMDR is used in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sheila can help you explore whether EMDR is appropriate for your needs. Your current supports and readiness are part of that conversation.
You may be looking for support with
Distressing memories that keep coming back
Strong feelings when something reminds you of the past
Avoiding reminders of a difficult experience
Self-blame connected with what happened
Feeling on edge around certain situations
Questions about whether trauma-focused therapy fits
Goals you can explore together
Understand what is affecting you now
Build ways to manage distress before processing
Work toward memories feeling less overwhelming
Explore a more balanced view of yourself
Notice how changes carry into daily life
Review progress and adjust the plan together
How it works
How to get started
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Meet Sheila
Read Sheila’s profile to learn about her background and approach. When choosing an EMDR therapist in Winnipeg, ask about their experience with your concerns and how they prepare clients for the work.
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Ask about fit
You can ask questions about the approach, appointment format and insurance before booking. Contact our team if you would like help choosing a starting point.
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Choose an EMDR appointment
Select EMDR Therapy with Sheila. This is a different booking option from a regular adult counselling appointment. Review the session details before confirming.
Your first EMDR appointment
The first appointment is a chance to understand what brings you in and discuss a plan. It is not a requirement to begin memory processing immediately. Preparation and readiness guide the pace.
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Before your appointment
Read your booking confirmation and complete any requested intake forms. You can note your questions, what has been difficult and what helps you cope. There is no need to prepare a detailed written account of what happened.
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Start with a conversation
Sheila asks about your current challenges, personal history, strengths and goals. You can discuss confidentiality and its limits, what feels manageable to share, and any concerns about the approach. Your questions are part of planning your care.
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Agree on next steps
Together, you consider whether EMDR is suitable and what preparation or support may be needed. Discuss how to pause, how to manage difficult feelings and what to do between appointments. You can revisit the plan as the work progresses.
EMDR costs and insurance
Check the appointment fee below when planning your visit, including if you are paying without insurance.
Does insurance cover EMDR therapy?
Alleviate works with all the insurers displayed below. Coverage depends on your individual benefits plan, the service and the credentials of the practitioner you choose.
Before booking, ask your insurer whether your chosen practitioner is covered, whether a referral is required, and what limits or remaining benefits apply. Direct billing is available where the plan and practitioner arrangements allow it; it does not guarantee reimbursement. Our team can help with billing questions.
View insurer and benefit provider names
Canada Life; Manulife; AGA Financial Group; Alberta Blue Cross; belairdirect; ClaimSecure; Desjardins Insurance; iA Financial Group; Johnston Group; Beneva; UV Insurance; BPA; Canadian Construction Workers Union; Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan; CINUP; Coughlin; Cowan; Equitable; First Canadian Insurance Corporation; GMS; GroupHEALTH; GroupSource; LIUNA Local 183; LIUNA Local 506; MDM Insurance Services; Manion; Maximum Benefit; Public Service Health Care Plan; RWAM; People Corporation; Simply Benefits; Union Benefits; Manitoba Public Insurance; Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba; Manitoba Blue Cross.
This list identifies the logos shown. Coverage and direct billing depend on your service, practitioner and plan.
Meet Sheila Jensen
Sheila brings an empathetic, non-judgmental approach to counselling. She holds a master’s degree in psychological counselling with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy, and offers EMDR alongside other counselling approaches.
Read Sheila’s full profile for her background and other counselling services. You are welcome to ask about her EMDR training and experience with the concerns you want to address.
What patients say about Alleviate
Selected Google review excerpts describe the atmosphere and care at Alleviate across different services. They are not testimonials about EMDR treatment outcomes.
Other support you may want to explore
If you’re exploring EMDR in Winnipeg and are unsure where to start, adult counselling offers another starting point for discussing your experiences and goals. Explore our mental health services for the wider range of support at Alleviate.
Counselling for Adults
A broader starting point for exploring your experiences, coping and goals when you are unsure which approach fits.
Explore Counselling for Adults
Counselling for Couples
Explore support for communication, connection and challenges in your relationship.
Explore Counselling for Couples
Counselling for Teens and Young Adults
Explore counselling for the pressures, relationships and life changes that can come with the teen and young-adult years.
Explore Counselling for Teens
Do I have to describe every detail of what happened?
EMDR does not generally require a detailed spoken account of every part of a memory. Your therapist still needs enough information to understand your concerns and plan responsibly. Ask what you will be invited to share, and say when something feels difficult to discuss.
What if I do not feel ready to work on a memory?
Tell Sheila. Preparation, coping skills and a shared understanding of the process come before deeper processing. You can discuss the pace, ask to pause and revisit whether this is the right approach for you. Not feeling ready is useful information for planning care.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
There is no fixed number that fits everyone. Your history, current needs, preparation and response to the work all influence the plan. The eight phases are parts of a treatment process, not a promise of eight appointments. Review the likely pace and costs with Sheila as you go.
Can difficult feelings come up during or after EMDR?
Working with distressing memories can bring up strong emotions or physical sensations. Discuss this possibility before processing begins, including coping strategies, how to pause and what support is available between sessions. Let Sheila know about changes or concerns so you can review the plan together.
Can I book EMDR online or attend virtually?
You can book the in-person EMDR appointment online. Sheila also lists virtual appointments for some other counselling services, but those listings do not confirm virtual EMDR. Ask our team if you need a different format before choosing an appointment.
Can I ask questions before choosing EMDR?
Yes. You can ask about Sheila’s approach, appointment details and what the first visit involves. Contact our team for help, or explore adult counselling if you would like a broader starting point. You do not need to decide on a therapy method before reaching out.
Take the next step at your pace
Explore EMDR with Sheila at Alleviate Holistic Health, 770 Leila Avenue, Winnipeg. View the EMDR appointment details and choose an appointment time.
If you have questions before booking, our team can help.