EMDR Therapy Online
Some memories don’t stay in the past. A car crash, an assault, a loss, or a hard day on the job can keep coming back as flashbacks, nightmares, or a sense that you’re never quite safe. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the most researched treatments for this kind of pain, and you can do EMDR therapy online. Select clinicians at Psychological Healing are trained in EMDR and offer it by secure video in the states where they’re licensed; ask when you book. We’re in-network with many major insurance plans.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is a structured psychotherapy that helps the brain process distressing memories so they lose their emotional charge. Psychologist Francine Shapiro developed it in the late 1980s, and it has been studied in dozens of randomized controlled trials.
In EMDR you briefly focus on a troubling memory while paying attention to bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movements, alternating taps, or tones. You don’t need to describe every detail. Over treatment, the memory often feels more distant and less upsetting, and beliefs attached to it (for example, “It was my fault”) start to shift.
Leading guideline bodies recognize EMDR as an evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD):
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense (VA/DoD) Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD (2023) recommends EMDR as one of three first-line trauma-focused psychotherapies, with Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE).
- The American Psychological Association (APA) Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of PTSD includes EMDR among its recommended psychotherapies.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends EMDR for adults with PTSD.
Can EMDR Be Done Online?
Yes. EMDR adapts well to telehealth. Instead of following a clinician’s hand in an office, you might:
- Follow a moving dot across your screen
- Use self-tapping, such as alternately tapping your knees or the “butterfly hug”
- Listen to alternating tones through headphones
Research on telehealth EMDR is newer than in-office research, but published studies and clinical experience show it can be safe and effective with a clinician trained in remote delivery and a private, comfortable space. Before processing begins, your clinician will set up a safety plan, including what to do if the connection drops.
Learn more about how our teletherapy sessions work.
The 8 Phases of EMDR Treatment
- History and treatment planning. Your clinician learns your history and goals, and together you pick target memories.
- Preparation. You learn how EMDR works and practice grounding and calming skills.
- Assessment. You identify a target memory, its image, the negative belief it carries, and the positive belief you’d like instead.
- Desensitization. You hold the memory in mind during sets of bilateral stimulation until the distress decreases.
- Installation. The positive belief (for example, “I survived, and I’m safe now”) is strengthened.
- Body scan. You check for remaining physical tension linked to the memory and process it.
- Closure. Each session ends with you feeling settled.
- Reevaluation. Next session, you review progress and decide what to work on next.
What Does EMDR Help With?
EMDR is best known for treating PTSD, and our clinicians also use it for related concerns:
- Single-incident trauma, such as car accidents, assaults, or medical emergencies
- Repeated or childhood trauma, often after a period of skill-building first
- Work-related trauma for first responders, healthcare workers, and other high-stress professions
- Disturbing memories that drive anxiety, panic, or depression
- Grief complicated by traumatic loss
Not sure EMDR is right for you? Your first appointment is a chance to talk it through. Read more about our trauma and PTSD therapy and broader trauma-focused treatment options.
EMDR vs. Other Trauma Therapies
EMDR isn’t the only effective option. Our clinicians are also trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and we help you choose the approach that fits you best.
| EMDR | Cognitive Processing Therapy | Prolonged Exposure | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Reprocessing memories with bilateral stimulation | Changing “stuck” beliefs about the trauma | Gradually facing memories and avoided situations |
| Talking in detail about the trauma | Limited | Some, often through writing | Yes, repeatedly |
| Homework | Light | Worksheets between sessions | Daily recordings and real-life practice |
| Typical length | About 6–12 sessions for a single trauma; longer for complex trauma | About 12 sessions | About 8–15 sessions |
Research shows these treatments work about equally well for many people; the best choice often comes down to your preferences and how much detail you’re comfortable sharing.
Insurance Coverage for Online EMDR
EMDR is billed as standard outpatient psychotherapy, so plans covering outpatient mental health care usually cover it, including by telehealth, subject to your plan’s cost-sharing.
We’re in-network with many plans, including:
- Aetna
- Optum and UnitedHealthcare
- Oscar, through the UnitedHealthcare network
- Anthem, accepted depending on the clinician and state
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Ambetter, in Washington only
We do not accept Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans.
Coverage depends on your plan and the state you’re in during sessions; we’re happy to check your benefits before you start.
Where We Offer Online EMDR
Psychological Healing has 40 clinicians, offering in-person sessions in 20 states and video sessions in 44 states. Our EMDR-trained clinicians see clients by secure video in the states where they’re licensed. Find your state, among others:
You need to be physically located in a state where your clinician is licensed at the time of each session.
How to Get Started
- Reach out. Contact us.
- Verify insurance. We’ll confirm your coverage and expected cost.
- Meet your clinician. Your first session focuses on your history and goals, not a traumatic memory.
- Begin treatment. Together you’ll build a plan, starting with preparation and coping skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EMDR covered by insurance? In most cases, yes. EMDR is billed as standard psychotherapy, so plans that cover outpatient mental health usually cover it, including by telehealth, subject to your deductible and cost-sharing. Some of our clinicians also accept Anthem, depending on the clinician and state.
How many EMDR sessions will I need? A single, recent trauma may improve in roughly 6 to 12 sessions; repeated or childhood trauma usually takes longer, including preparation.
Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail? No. EMDR asks you to hold the memory in mind, but you don’t have to describe it at length. Many people choose EMDR for exactly this reason.
Can EMDR make me feel worse before I feel better? Some people feel tired or emotional after early processing sessions, or notice vivid dreams. That’s usually temporary, and your clinician will pace treatment so it stays manageable.
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
Clinically reviewed by Karan Singh, Ph.D.
Last reviewed October 16, 2026