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EMDR GROUP THERAPY

A safe and supportive way to process trauma together

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Healing does not have to happen alone. EMDR group therapy offers a structured,  cost effective way to address painful past experiences in a group setting. Personal experiences are processed privately and remain confidential, as healing occurs collectively in a shared therapeutic space.

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People that are focused on their well-being use varied approaches to maintain their overall balance, such as movement, physical therapies, meditation and reflection. EMDR group therapy is an evidence-based process that offers an additional layer of support, by releasing what lingers beneath the surface, so your energy can go towards living in the present, not escaping from the past.​​​​​​​​​

​What is EMDR?

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EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It’s a well-researched, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help people heal from the impact of traumatic events on our brain and body. Instead of talking about memories, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (e.g. eye-movement, tapping) to help the brain reprocess difficult experiences so they feel less overwhelming. EMDR is currently identified by the World Health Organization as one of the two interventions with most evidence for treating trauma symptoms effectively. 

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In this EMDR group, we work with the G-TEP protocol, which stands for Group Traumatic Episode Protocol. G-TEP provides a space where people can process their trauma without talking about it. It uses a worksheet, where you can write, or draw on, and bilateral stimulation with guided instructions from the facilitators

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​​​The Benefits

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Group EMDR helps people move forward where they’ve felt stuck — restoring calm, resilience, and wellbeing in daily life. In our groups, the G-TEP (Group Traumatic Episode Protocol) supports a safe, structured process to work through difficult experiences without needing to share details aloud.

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Research shows this approach can:​

  • Reduce trauma-related symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing 

  • Ease emotional distress including anxiety, low mood, guilt, or shame

  • Enhance focus and self-understanding to gain clarity about yourself and your experiences

  • Relieve physical and somatic symptoms such as disrupted sleep, headaches, and unexplained pain

 

The group format also makes EMDR more accessible - offering a supportive, cost-effective setting where healing unfolds in the presence of others, guided by experienced EMDR therapists.​​​​​​​

Who is this Group for?

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EMDR group therapy can be helpful for people from many walks of life, and across a wide range of experiences. You don’t need to have tried EMDR before — just an openness to taking part in a safe, structured process alongside others.

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Our EMDR group is for people who have supportive people or practices in place outside the group - whether that’s friends, whānau, an existing therapist, Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP), or GP - so you have adequate support and coping strategies between sessions.

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This EMDR group therapy can support people living with e.g.:

  • A single traumatic event (such as an accident, medical trauma, or natural disaster)

  • Bereavement, grief, and loss

  • Recent or historic trauma (such as the effects of domestic or family discord)

  • Letting go of old emotional baggage that no longer serves you

 

If you’re unsure whether this group would be a good fit for you, please get in touch. We’ll talk it through and determine together whether this group is the right fit. The application process will also help ensure the group is the right setting for your needs.​​​​​​​​​

What to Expect

  • Format:  Two group EMDR sessions
     

  • Length:  First session runs for 120 minutes, second session runs for 90 mins
     

  • Location:  Groups will be held in person in the Western Bay of Plenty (Tauranga, Pāpāmoa, Mount Maunganui areas)​
     

  • Facilitators:  Sessions are co-facilitated by Erin Nolan (Counsellor) and Josette Wulffaert (Clinical Psychologist)
     

  • Dates:  Next group runs 29th and 30th November 2025, to be held at The Lakes, Tauranga - venue: BloomCo
     

  • Group size:  Limited to a maximum of 12 participants
     

  • Participants:  This group is open to people of all genders and gender identities
     

  • All EMDR work in the group is personal and confidential. You will process your own memories privately, and there will not be any sharing of trauma details with others in the group. This ensures a safe environment where everyone can engage at their own pace.
     

  • Each group begins with a brief orientation. The EMDR process is then facilitated in a structured way that keeps everyone safe and contained. Sessions close with time for regulation and integration. At the end, people are welcome to share any positive changes or take-aways from the process, if they wish.
     

  • If you find the group helpful and would like to continue working on other memories, it’s possible to join another group in the future, allowing you to build on your progress in a safe, structured way.

How to Join​

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If you are interested in EMDR group therapy, you will be asked to complete a registration form and questionnaire to make sure this format is right for you. This is an important step to ensure safety and suitability for all participants.

Investment

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  • $395 (including GST) for 2 sessions
     

  • Two sessions in total and a telehealth session prior. 
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  • Payment must be made two weeks prior to the first session to secure your place in the group.
     

  • Invoicing details will be provided on registration. The full fee for two sessions needs to be paid at once.
     

  • Please note: These groups are not eligible for ACC funding.

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