Stop surviving.
Start living.

EMDR 2.0 therapy for anxiety, trauma, and the patterns that keep you stuck.

James Di Donato, RP — Registered Psychotherapist and Certified EMDR Therapist.

Book Your Free 20-Minute Consultation Learn how this therapy works

If what you’ve tried so far hasn’t been enough.

Maybe you’ve been to therapy before. You talked through the same stories, got some coping tools, and felt a little better for a while. But the anxiety keeps returning. The triggers haven’t shifted. You’re still managing more than you’d like to.

Or maybe you’ve never been to therapy. You’ve been handling things on your own — pushing through the difficult moments, saying yes when you’d rather not, carrying more than your share. It takes a lot of energy to keep that up and things aren't getting better.

There may be a more effective way to address what’s going on. EMDR is a structured, evidence-based approach that works differently from traditional talk therapy.

I know what it's like to sit in that chair. Because I've sat in it too.

James Di Donato - Registered Psychotherapist

I’m James Di Donato — a Registered Psychotherapist and Certified EMDR Therapist working with clients across Ontario.

Before I ever used a therapeutic modality with a client, I experienced it myself. Not in a textbook. Not in a training video. In the chair. As a client. Every technique I use with you, I’ve felt from your side first.

I’ve completed over 20 specialized trainings, including in EMDR 2.0, Deep Brain Reorienting, Flash Technique, Brainspotting and Ego State Therapy. I trained and consulted directly with some of the people who developed these methods, including Suzy Matthijssen, co-developer of EMDR 2.0, and Dr. Frank Corrigan,developer of Deep Brain Reorienting.

I work primarily with people experiencing anxiety, trauma, and people-pleasing patterns. My approach is structured and goal-oriented, but always tailored to you — your history, your goals, and your pace.

More about my training & approach
Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO)
EMDR Certified (EMDRIA)
CCPA Member
12+ Specialized Trainings
Practicing Since 2017

A structured, evidence-based approach.

Many people find that talk therapy helps them understand their experiences, but may not fully address the symptoms that keep returning. EMDR offers a different approach.

What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy recognized by the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization as a recommended treatment for PTSD. It is also widely used for anxiety, phobias, grief, and deeply held negative beliefs.

EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess memories that may not have been fully processed at the time they occurred. These memories can continue to trigger anxiety, flashbacks, or emotional reactions. Through EMDR, many clients find that these memories lose their emotional intensity over time.

You won't spend months retelling your story. EMDR uses a structured protocol that engages the brain’s own processing system, rather than relying solely on verbal discussion.

What is EMDR 2.0?

EMDR 2.0 is the latest evolution of EMDR, refined using insights from neuroscience and memory research. It works by having you hold a difficult memory in mind while simultaneously doing a cognitively demanding task — creating a mental interference that strips the memory of its emotional charge. The result is the same memory, with far less power over you.

EMDR 2.0 also introduces several innovative techniques that expand what's treatable, including anxiety, complex trauma, dissociation, and personality-related struggles. Research shows it achieves results faster and with fewer sessions than the original protocol.

I trained in EMDR 2.0 directly with Suzy Matthijssen, one of its co-developers. It is the primary approach I use in my practice.

How we’ll work together

1

Free consultation

We’ll talk for 20 minutes about what you’re experiencing, what you’ve tried, and what you’d like to work on. No pressure. No commitment. Just a conversation to see if we’re a good fit.

2

Your treatment plan

Together, we’ll define your goals and build a plan tailored to your specific situation. No two treatment plans look the same. You’ll learn regulation skills to help manage difficult emotions between sessions. You’ll know what we’re working on and why.

3

EMDR 2.0 processing

We use EMDR 2.0 to work on the beliefs, emotions, and reactions connected to your symptoms. If helpful, we’ll also work on practical skills like communication and boundaries.

4

Review and conclusion

We check in regularly on your progress. When you feel your goals have been met and your symptoms have improved, we wrap up. You don’t need to stay longer than feels right. And if something new comes up later, you can always come back.

Book Your Free Consultation

I work with people who are looking for a different approach.

If your mind won’t stop racing

You’ve tried deep breathing, meditation apps, and telling yourself to calm down. It helps for a while, but the worry keeps returning — at 3am, in the middle of a meeting, or when everything is supposedly fine. You’re tired of managing it and looking for something that addresses what’s underneath. EMDR 2.0 is designed to work on the stored experiences your brain may be reacting to, rather than just the symptoms on the surface.

If the past keeps showing up in the present

Flashbacks. Nightmares. The feeling of being on alert even when you’re safe. Limiting self beliefs. Trauma can change how the brain processes the world, and that’s something willpower alone has great difficulty addressing. EMDR 2.0 is designed to help the brain reprocess these experiences. You don’t need to retell your story over and over. You just need to be willing to begin.

If you’ve been putting everyone else’s needs ahead of your own

You say yes when you mean no. You absorb other people’s emotions. You feel responsible for everyone’s happiness except your own. And somewhere along the way, you may have lost touch with what you actually want. These patterns often have roots in early experience. EMDR 2.0 is designed to work on the underlying beliefs that may be driving the pattern, alongside building practical skills for setting boundaries.

I also work with clients experiencing: depression, attachment issues, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, phobias, emotional overwhelm, burnout, life transitions and codependency.

If you’re unsure whether what you’re dealing with is something I can help with, the free consultation is a good place to start.

What therapy looks like here

I believe therapy works best when it’s collaborative and focused on what matters to you. Every client’s situation is different, and treatment should reflect that. Together, we set clear goals based on your specific experience. We check in on progress regularly. And when you feel ready to move forward on your own, we wrap up.

I use EMDR 2.0 as a foundation because it offers a structured way to work on the experiences, beliefs, and emotional patterns that may be connected to what you’re going through. I also draw on additional modalities — including Deep Brain Reorienting, Flash Technique and parts work — depending on what’s most relevant to your situation. The combination is different for each person.

Every technique I use, I’ve experienced myself as a client. I know what it feels like from your side.

Therapy from wherever you’re most comfortable.

All sessions are held over Zoom. Research supports that virtual EMDR therapy can be as effective as in-person sessions. Many clients find that being in their own space helps them feel more comfortable during sessions.

No commute. No waiting room. No rearranging your whole day.

Practical details

Sessions
50 minutes, virtual via Zoom
Rate
$170 per session
Sliding Scale
Available for those who need it
Location
Virtual — anywhere in Ontario
Free Consultation
20 minutes, no obligation
Availability
Weekday sessions

Common questions

I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help. Why would this be different?

EMDR works differently from traditional talk therapy. Rather than focusing primarily on verbal discussion and coping strategies, EMDR engages the brain’s own processing system to work on stored memories and beliefs that may be driving your symptoms. Many people who didn’t find talk therapy sufficient have found EMDR to be a helpful alternative. That said, every person’s experience is different, and I’m always transparent about what I think therapy can and can’t do for your specific situation.

Can EMDR help with anxiety, or is it only for PTSD?

EMDR was originally developed for PTSD, but it is now widely used for anxiety, phobias, limiting self beliefs and other issues connected to past experiences. Anxiety often has roots in how the brain learned to respond to certain situations. EMDR 2.0 is designed to work on those learned responses.

Is virtual EMDR as effective as in-person?

Research supports that virtual EMDR can produce comparable outcomes to in-person sessions. I use a secure Zoom-based setup that is designed for EMDR processing. Many clients find that being in their own environment supports the work.

What if I’m not sure I’m ready?

That’s completely understandable. Starting therapy — especially trauma-focused therapy — is a significant step. We go at your pace. We build safety and regulation skills before beginning any processing. And you’re always in control of what we work on and when. The free consultation is a chance to ask questions and see if this feels like the right fit before making any commitment.

How long will therapy take?

It depends on your goals and your history. Some people begin to notice shifts within several sessions. More complex situations may take longer. What I can tell you is that we set clear goals from the start, check in on progress regularly, and don’t continue beyond what feels useful to you.

I’m not sure my situation is serious enough for therapy.

You don’t need a diagnosis or a crisis to benefit from therapy. Many of the people I work with are managing well on the outside but dealing with a lot internally. If something is affecting your quality of life, it’s worth exploring.

You don’t need to have it all figured out before reaching out.

Book a free 20-minute consultation and let’s talk about what you’re going through, what you’ve tried, and what you’d like to work on. No pressure. No commitment. Just a conversation.

Book Your Free Consultation
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