Private processing, shared support
In-person EMDR Group Therapy in Croydon
A small, structured EMDR therapy group for adults who feel stuck after a distressing experience. You’ll be supported through the process in a private, trauma-informed setting – without needing to share your story with the group.
Do You Feel Stuck in Survival Mode?
For adults with a distressing experience that still feels unresolved, Mindful Living’s EMDR Group Program offers structured, trauma-informed support in a small, private group setting.
This is not a traditional talking group. You do not need to share your trauma story with the group, and you do not need to tell the facilitators the details of what happened.
The program is designed for people who may benefit from EMDR support in a safe, structured and cost-effective group format.
EMDR Group Therapy at Mindful Living
Join a Future EMDR Group
Our EMDR Group Program runs at selected times throughout the year, with small group numbers to support safety, privacy, and individual care.
Registrations for the current group are now closed, but you are warmly invited to contact us to register your interest in a future program or join the waitlist.
Location: Mindful Living, Croydon
Format: 3 x 2-hour sessions
Group Size: Maximum 10 participants
When you understand it, but still feel it
Sometimes we can understand what happened to us logically, but still feel the impact emotionally, physically, or in our daily life.
You may have talked about the experience before. You may understand why it affected you, and that it is in the past. But your body, emotions, or nervous system may still respond as though something about the experience is unresolved.
This can show up in different ways, such as feeling anxious, on edge, easily triggered, avoidant, emotionally numb, overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns that are hard to shift.
EMDR therapy is designed to support the brain’s natural ability to process distressing memories and experiences. For some people, this can be a helpful next step when talking alone has not fully shifted the emotional or physical impact of what happened.
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a structured therapy that helps people gently process distressing memories, experiences, emotions, and body sensations.
Sometimes, when something feels overwhelming, the brain can store the memory in a way that feels “stuck” or easily triggered, even when the experience is over.
EMDR uses gentle left-right (called “bilateral”) stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, while focusing on parts of the memory. This supports the brain’s natural healing process, helping the memory feel less intense and distressing over time.
In the Mindful Living EMDR Group Program, this process takes place in a private, structured group setting, supported by experienced EMDR facilitators.
EMDR can look a little unusual, but there’s a reason for that…
It is completely normal to feel unsure about group EMDR at first. The process can look different from traditional talk therapy, and parts of it – such as drawing, tapping, or using eye movements – may feel unfamiliar.
However, the group gives you a safe, structured way to work privately with your own memory while being supported by trained clinicians. The drawing is not art therapy in the sense of making something beautiful. It is simply a way of expressing thoughts, emotions, body sensations, or images that may be difficult to put into words.
The bilateral stimulation is part of EMDR therapy, an evidence-based trauma treatment. It helps the brain stay connected to the present while processing something distressing from the past. Many people describe this as the memory feeling less intense, less vivid, or less emotionally “stuck” over time.
Although it may feel unfamiliar – every part of the process has a purpose: to help you stay grounded, reduce overwhelm, and allow your mind and body to process what has been held onto.
What is the Mindful Living EMDR Group Program?
The Mindful Living EMDR Group Program is a small, in-person group program for adults who may benefit from structured EMDR support.
The program runs over three weeks, with one 2-hour session each week. Sessions are held in person at Mindful Living in Croydon, with a maximum of 10 participants.
Each session is facilitated by experienced EMDR therapists who guide the group through a structured process. The program includes education, preparation, grounding strategies and EMDR processing activities, all within a supportive and carefully held environment.
The program is based on the EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol, with thoughtful adaptations to support the needs of Mindful Living clients.
Why choose group EMDR?
Individual EMDR therapy can be very helpful, but it may not always be accessible, affordable, or immediately available.
Group EMDR offers a different way to access EMDR-informed support. It allows experienced EMDR facilitators to guide a small group through a structured process, while each person works privately with their own material.
Mindful Living’s EMDR Group Program may offer:
- a private, non-sharing format
- in-person support in a small group setting
- access to experienced EMDR facilitators
- a structured approach over three weeks
- a cost-effective alternative to individual EMDR therapy
- support for people who want to process distressing experiences without speaking about the details in a group
The group setting can also help some people feel less alone, while still protecting their privacy.
Who this program may suit
This program may be suitable for adults who have a specific a past experience that continues to affect your wellbeing, reactions, or sense of safety.
This may include experiences such as:
A motor vehicle accident
A workplace incident
An interpersonal conflict
A traumatic or difficult life event
A memory that is still very upsetting when you think about it
What happens in a group EMDR session?
Group EMDR is carefully structured. You are guided step by step, you do not need to share the details of your trauma, and the exercises are designed to help you stay grounded while your brain and body process distressing memories in a safe and supported way.
Click the + icons below to learn more about what happens in a group EMDR session.
Start by feeling settled and supported
We’ll guide you through some simple exercises to help you feel safe, calm, and connected to the present moment.
Take a moment to connect with sources of comfort and support
This might include imagining a peaceful place, focusing on your breathing, or thinking about people who help you feel safe and supported.
Choose a memory or experience to focus on
What you choose is private. You do not need to tell the group what you are working on.
Focus on the part that feels strongest
This could be a picture in your mind, an emotion, a physical sensation, a thought, or a memory of what happened.
Use a gentle technique to help process the experience
This might involve:
- Following a moving object with your eyes
- Tapping
- Using the butterfly hug or another option that feels comfortable for you
Keep track of how you're feeling
From time to time, you may be asked to rate your level of distress on a scale from 0 to 10. This helps monitor any shifts that occur during the process.
Finish feeling calm and settled
The session ends with activities designed to help you feel calm, grounded, and ready to continue with your day.
Fees and Medicare rebates
The next program fee is still to be confirmed.
This includes 3 x 2-hour group sessions at Mindful Living in Croydon.
Medicare rebates may be available with an appropriate GP referral. Some clients may also be eligible to access group therapy sessions under Better Access, including additional group sessions if individual sessions have been used.
Clients who have reached the Medicare Safety Net may also be eligible for a higher rebate. You can check your Medicare Safety Net status through the Medicare section of your MyGov account.
Rebate options can be discussed during your intake call. We also recommend speaking with your GP or checking with Medicare directly to understand what may apply to your circumstances.
EMDR Group Therapy at Mindful Living
Our current EMDR Group Therapy program is now fully booked.
We offer small, structured EMDR groups at selected times throughout the year. Each group is facilitated by experienced EMDR therapists and is designed to provide a safe, supportive space for processing and healing.
Location: Mindful Living, Croydon
Format: 3 x 2-hour sessions
Group Size: Maximum 10 participants
Cost: To be confirmed
If you are interested in joining a future EMDR group, you are warmly invited to register your interest.
If you have a current Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be able to access Medicare rebates for EMDR group therapy sessions. To claim these rebates, you’ll need to ask your GP to provide a referral to our clinic for group therapy.
Your free 30-minute intake call
Before joining the program, you will be invited to book a free 30-minute intake call.
This call gives you an opportunity to ask questions, understand the group format, discuss fees and possible rebates, and explore whether the program may be a good fit for you.
The call also helps the facilitators understand your needs and whether this type of group program is appropriate at this time.
The EMDR Group Program is not suitable for everyone, and that is okay. The intake process is designed to help you make an informed and supported decision.
The free 30-minute intake call is to discuss whether the EMDR Group Program may be right for you.
Frequently asked questions
Click the + icons below to find answers to our most fequently asked questions:
Do I have to share my trauma with the group?
No. You will not be asked to share the details of your trauma with other participants.
Do I need to tell the facilitators what happened?
No. The facilitators do not need to know the specific details of the memory or experience you are processing. They will guide the group through the process while your own material remains private.
Is this the same as traditional group therapy?
No. This is not a traditional talking group. Verbal sharing is limited, and participants are not asked to discuss their trauma stories with each other.
What if I feel nervous about attending?
Feeling nervous is understandable. The program includes preparation, grounding strategies and facilitator support. You will also have the chance to ask questions during your intake call before deciding whether to proceed.
Do I need to have done EMDR before?
No. Some participants may be new to EMDR, while others may have done EMDR before and want to re-engage with it in a structured group format.
What if I have already tried talking therapy?
This program may be helpful for people who understand what happened logically, but still feel affected emotionally or physically. EMDR is different from traditional talk therapy because it works with memory processing, body sensations, emotions and the nervous system.
Are Medicare rebates available?
Medicare rebates may be available with an appropriate GP referral. Some people may also be eligible for additional group therapy sessions under Better Access or higher rebates through the Medicare Safety Net. This can be discussed during your intake call.
What happens after I book the intake call?
You will be asked to complete an application form and attend a free 30-minute intake call. If the program appears suitable, the team will provide the next steps for enrolment.
Take the next step
If you have been carrying the impact of a distressing experience and would like to explore whether EMDR Group Therapy may be suitable, we invite you to book a free intake call.
The next program will be held in person at Mindful Living in Croydon, with a maximum of 10 participants.
Enquire about future groups by clicking the button below
