A groundbreaking therapy designed to help individuals process trauma and emotional distress is now available at Pembina Counseling Centre. Christine Elias, Clinical Director at the centre says Eye Movement Integration (EMI) therapy is something she believes in strongly, mostly due to seeing miraculous results firsthand.
How does EMI therapy work?
Elias explains how EMI therapy works: “EMI uses guided eye movements to help individuals access and integrate fragmented pieces of traumatic memories. When trauma occurs, sensory information—what we see, hear, or feel—is stored in scattered, isolated bits in the brain. This is why, when someone is reminded of a traumatic event, they often feel as though they are reliving it. EMI therapy helps integrate those scattered memory pieces with rational and cognitive information, diluting the intensity of the memory’s emotional impact.”
Elias likened the process to diluting a potent solution: “It’s like mixing bleach with water. The memory remains, but it loses its ability to overwhelm or re-traumatize.”
Who can benefit from EMI therapy?
Elias emphasized that trauma comes in many forms and isn’t limited to catastrophic events like car accidents or natural disasters. “Trauma is less about the situation itself and more about how it continues to affect a person’s daily life. For some, a broken relationship or unresolved grief can be just as traumatic as a major accident,” she explained.
At Pembina Counseling Centre, a typical EMI therapy process begins with an introductory session where counsellors assess a client’s symptoms and determine if EMI is the right fit. This is followed by a longer, two-hour session where the actual therapy takes place. Elias reassures that the extended time allows for a thorough and careful process, ensuring clients leave the session in a calm, grounded state.
Coffee and dessert fundraiser to support accessible mental health services
To support the work of the Pembina Counseling Centre and make therapies like EMI more accessible, the Center is hosting a Coffee and Dessert Fundraiser on Thursday, April 10th, at 7:00 PM at the Winkler Mennonite Brethren Church.
The evening will feature keynote speaker Brent Cantelon, a pastor, author, and coach who has worn many hats in his career. Guests will also enjoy a specialty coffee bar by Other Brother Roasters and an array of desserts from De Luca’s, making the event a treat for both the mind and palate.
Funds raised during the event will go toward the centre’s sliding-scale pricing model, ensuring that everyone in the community has access to mental health services regardless of financial circumstances.
Meet Christine Elias, Clinical Director
Elias, who recently stepped into the role of Clinical Director, will also speak briefly at the event, introducing herself and sharing her experiences since joining the centre in 2018. Reflecting on her time at Pembina Counseling Centre, Elias highlighted two aspects she values most: “First, the incredible team I work with—they’re supportive, fun, and talented. Second, seeing clients transform their lives and achieve the changes they’ve been striving for is truly rewarding.”
How to learn more or get involved
For those interested in learning more about EMI therapy or attending the fundraiser, Pembina Counseling Centre invites you to visit their website at pembinacounselingcenter.ca or call 204-822-6622.
The website includes detailed articles about EMI therapy, including testimonies from those who have benefited from it. Whether you’re curious about this innovative therapy or want to support the center’s mission of providing accessible mental health care, the team at Pembina Counseling Centre is eager to connect with you.
“Healing is possible, and we’re here to help,” Elias concluded. “No one should have to carry the weight of trauma or emotional distress alone.”