Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, or EMDR Therapy for short, is an evidence-based approach that helps people work through painful or overwhelming experiences and at Stone Silo, we offer EMDR as part of our mental health or counselling services. We’re supporting those who may feel weighed down by past events that still affect their day-to-day life.
EMDR Therapy is an approach that helps the brain to rework difficult experiences so they no longer feel as overwhelming as it is now, to the point that it can affect your day-to-day life. To make it simple, instead of staying “stuck” in a painful memory, EMDR helps your brain process it in a healthier way, so you can move forward.
During sessions, you’ll remember specific memories while also engaging in guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation. This process helps reduce the emotional charge of the memory, making it easier to think about without the same level of distress.
While EMDR is often used for trauma, it can also be helpful for anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, and many mental health concerns. The goal is to give you an option to live more fully, without being held back by your past.
The process follows a series of steps that build on one another:
Your therapist works with you to understand your background and make sure you feel ready and supported.
You and your therapist choose which memories or experiences to focus on.
Through guided eye movements or other techniques, the brain begins to “unstick” from the memory.
The experience is reprocessed in a way that it feels less disruptive, so it no longer holds the same emotional weight.
You will not forget what happened, but it will change how those memories are stored and how they show up in your life today.
At Stone Silo Counselling & Wellness, EMDR is offered as part of our commitment to evidence-based care. We provide a setting where therapy feels safe, supportive, and personalized to your needs, and we offer this kind of treatment in all of our services.
Both Elliot Fraser and Alex Boersen offer EMDR therapy to help people gently process and release the impact of difficult experiences. With advanced training in trauma-focused, evidence-based approaches, they provide a calm and grounded space where healing can unfold at a natural pace. Through EMDR, many find greater clarity, balance, and relief from the weight of the past.
Elliot provides EMDR sessions in both Waterloo and Listowel, while Alex offers sessions in Listowel.
And with Stone Silo, you’ll have access to EMDR and other counselling practices that focus on collaboration, compassion, and practical tools to help you move forward.
My specialties: ACT, CBT, Narrative Therapy, Trauma, Motivational Interviewing, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy
Age Group: 16+ year olds
Serving: Listowel
Price: Individual – 50 minutes – $185
Alex is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. He brings a broad and diverse background to his clinical work, having supported individuals across a variety of settings, including elementary schools, group homes, hospitals, and crisis response teams. He has worked directly with unhoused individuals, first responders, and healthcare professionals, and has served on Crisis Response Teams in emergency departments across Huron and Perth Counties. His work alongside the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Stratford Police Service has deepened his understanding of the emotional complexity and chronic stress faced by those in high-stakes helping roles.
Originally from rural Perth County, Alex was drawn to the field of social work through his own lived experiences with mental health. He brings empathy, groundedness, and curiosity to the therapeutic process, creating a space where clients feel safe to explore challenges, identify patterns, and take meaningful steps toward change.
Alex works with adults, teens, and first responders dealing with addiction, anxiety, depression, anger, trauma, and relational conflict. He is especially passionate about men’s mental health, youth emotional regulation, and supporting individuals navigating the stress of service-oriented careers. His approach is collaborative and integrative, drawing from a range of evidence-based modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Brief Solution-Focused Therapy. He also incorporates mindfulness-based interventions and somatic-informed techniques to support regulation, self-awareness, and reconnection with the body.
Alex has completed advanced training in CBT for Trauma and has completed certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which he has begun integrating into his clinical practice.
Outside of his work, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife, newborn daughter, and their two dogs. He stays active through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, weightlifting, running, camping, and fishing. These practices help him stay grounded and connected to his own values—something he encourages his clients to explore in their own lives.
Alex believes that therapy should be a space rooted in honesty, openness, and the courage to try new approaches. He invites clients into a therapeutic relationship where growth is supported, strengths are honored, and healing becomes possible.
My specialties: Anxiety management, self-esteem improvement, OCD management, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Gottman Method Certified Relationship Counsellor
Age Group: 16+ year olds
Price: Individual – 50 minutes – $165
Relationship – 50 minutes – $185
I also offer 25-minute and 80-minute sessions
Are you feeling worried about the future? Does stress or anxiety feel overwhelming and inescapable? Do you feel lost or unsure of who you are? Are you struggling to move forward from the past? You don’t have to face these challenges alone—I am here to help. My goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can be fully seen, heard, and explore new possibilities for your life.
Together, we can learn to accept ourselves more fully, regain control where we can, and navigate life’s uncertainties with greater adaptability. I offer tools to help you reconnect with yourself, process the past, build resilience, stay present, and find emotional relief where needed.
Taking the first step can be the hardest, but it’s also one of the most worthwhile. Book a free 15-minute consultation so we can meet and create a treatment plan that fits your needs. Whatever is on your mind, no concern is too big or too small to bring to therapy.
Elliot Fraser (6 reviews)
No. While EMDR is well-known for its effectiveness with trauma and PTSD, it’s also used for anxiety, depression, grief, phobias, and other life challenges.
Everyone’s experience is different, but EMDR is often considered a shorter-term therapy. Some people notice improvements in just a few sessions, while others benefit from a longer process.
Your therapist will check in with you throughout the process and make sure you feel supported and safe. Part of EMDR therapy is learning grounding techniques to help you stay present.
Yes. Many therapists, including Alex, use EMDR alongside approaches like CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based practices.
Book an appointment today and take the first step in freeing yourself from the memories that hold you back.
