EMDR 2.0 therapy in Thunder Bay: the next evolution in trauma treatment
If you have been searching for trauma therapy in Thunder Bay, you may already know about EMDR. EMDR 2.0 is its evidence-based advancement, drawing on the latest working memory research to make trauma processing more focused, more efficient, and for many people, more tolerable.
At BelMind Therapeia, EMDR 2.0 is offered alongside standard EMDR, somatic approaches, and polyvagal-informed therapy. This is not a replacement for standard EMDR. It is a refinement built on the same proven core, developed by clinical psychologists Ad de Jongh and Suzy Matthijssen.
EMDR 2.0
How EMDR 2.0 works?
Like standard EMDR, EMDR 2.0 asks your brain to hold a difficult memory while simultaneously doing something else, a dual-focus task that prevents the memory from being experienced at full intensity. What is different is how deliberately and intensively this process is structured.
Your nervous system already knows how to process difficult experiences. EMDR 2.0 simply gives it the conditions to finally do so.
Working memory has a limited capacity. When it is occupied with bilateral stimulation and active cognitive tasks, the traumatic memory loses its grip. EMDR 2.0 maximizes this effect through faster bilateral stimulation, varied dual-task demands, and a tighter focus on the target memory throughout the session.
EMDR 2.0 vs. standard EMDR
Standard EMDR
| Follows associative chains between sets |
| Slower bilateral stimulation pace |
| Single modality (eye movements or tapping) |
| Longer processing sequences per session |
EMDR 2.0
| Returns to target memory more quickly |
| Faster, more demanding bilateral stimulation |
| Can combine modalities for greater working memory load |
| Fewer sets required to reach the same reduction in distress |
“An experimental study in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology found that EMDR 2.0 and standard EMDR produced similar reductions in the emotional intensity and vividness of distressing memories, while EMDR 2.0 reached these results with fewer processing sets in a non‑clinical sample.”
What to expect in a session
Deeper memory activation
You will be guided to engage with the target memory more fully, including sensory details, so that processing can be thorough and complete.
Increased dual-task demand
Bilateral stimulation may be faster, and you may be asked to do more than one task at once. This is intentional and research-backed.
Shorter processing chains
Rather than following every associative thread, your therapist brings you back to the target memory more quickly, keeping momentum focused.
You are an active participant
EMDR 2.0 emphasizes collaboration. You understand the rationale, you engage with intention, and you are not a passive recipient.
EMDR 2.0 may be a good fit if you…
✔️ Have already completed or are currently in standard EMDR and want to go deeper
✔️ Have found standard EMDR helpful but feel progress has plateaued
✔️ Are working with a specific traumatic memory that feels stuck or unresolved
✔️ Prefer a more structured, efficient approach with less session-to-session variability
✔️ Are looking for a therapy that treats you as an informed, active collaborator in your own healing
Reach out to discuss whether EMDR 2.0 is the right fit for where you are in your healing.
EMDR 2.0 is grounded in peer-reviewed clinical research. The following sources are publicly available for anyone who wants to explore the evidence.
Peer-reviewed study Matthijssen et al. (2021) — EMDR vs. EMDR 2.0: emotionality and vividness of aversive memories Published in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology. Found that EMDR 2.0 required fewer processing sets than standard EMDR to achieve the same reduction in emotional intensity. Open access via PubMed Central.
Randomized controlled trial Alting van Geusau et al. (2023) — The ENHANCE trial: EMDR vs. EMDR 2.0 vs. Flash Technique in PTSD treatment A rigorous RCT protocol comparing three trauma therapy approaches. Published under Creative Commons open access.
EMDR International Association De Jongh and Matthijssen (2020) — EMDR 2.0: an enhanced version of EMDR therapy Presented by the developers of EMDR 2.0. Outlines the working memory theory and clinical rationale behind the approach.
