EMDR Therapy Services | Online & In-Person Sessions

Professional EMDR Services: Online

Expert EMDR Consulting & Therapy for Anxiety, Trauma & Healing

Looking for "EMDR therapists near me" but not sure where to start? Whether you need in-person sessions or prefer the convenience of EMDR online therapy, Safer Psychiatry offers comprehensive trauma treatment that fits your life and schedule.

The journey through trauma recovery doesn't follow a straight path, and finding the right support can feel overwhelming. Maybe you've searched for EMDR consulting services, compared brainspotting vs EMDR, or wondered about EMDR therapy side effects. You're asking the right questions, and we're here to provide clear, honest answers backed by our years of clinical experience.

At Safer Psychiatry, we've helped hundreds of clients navigate the stages of EMDR therapy—from their first consultation to their final session and beyond. Our specialized approach combines evidence-based protocols with personalized care that honors your unique healing timeline.

EMDR Online: Therapy That Comes to You

Let's address something many people wonder about: does EMDR really work through a screen?

The answer is yes—and research backs this up. A 2021 study published in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research found that EMDR online therapy showed comparable effectiveness to in-person sessions for treating PTSD and anxiety disorders. Clients reported 76% symptom reduction regardless of delivery method.

Our EMDR online program at Safer Psychiatry uses secure, HIPAA-compliant video platforms specifically designed for therapy. You'll experience the same eight phases of EMDR, the same bilateral stimulation techniques (adapted for virtual delivery), and the same expert guidance—all from wherever you feel most comfortable.

Why Choose Online EMDR Therapy?

Accessibility

No commute, no traffic, no stress about making it to appointments on time

Comfort

Process difficult memories in your own safe space where you feel most grounded

Flexibility

Slots that work around your schedule, not against it

Start Your EMDR Journey Today

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Understanding the EMDR Phases: Your Complete Roadmap

Many people ask us, "What actually happens during EMDR therapy?" Understanding the stages of EMDR helps demystify the process and sets realistic expectations for your healing journey.

EMDR isn't a magic cure that happens overnight. It's a structured, eight-phase approach developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro and refined over 30+ years of clinical practice. Each phase builds on the previous one, creating a comprehensive framework for processing trauma.

Phase 1: History Taking & Treatment Planning

We get to know your story, identify target memories, and create a personalized roadmap. This isn't just paperwork—it's about understanding what you've been through and what you want to achieve. We also discuss any concerns about EMDR therapy side effects and what to expect.

Phase 2: Preparation

Building your emotional toolkit. We teach stress-reduction techniques, establish safety protocols, and ensure you have coping strategies for between sessions. Think of this as creating a solid foundation before the deeper work begins.

Phase 3: Assessment

Targeting specific memories. We identify the images, negative beliefs, emotions, and physical sensations connected to your trauma. This precision helps your brain know exactly what needs processing.

Phase 4: Desensitization

The core processing work. While focusing on traumatic memories, you'll engage in bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or audio cues). Your brain does the healing—we just facilitate the process. This is where the transformation happens.

Phase 5: Installation

Strengthening positive beliefs. We reinforce healthy, empowering beliefs to replace the negative ones trauma created. "I am powerless" becomes "I can handle challenges."

Phase 6: Body Scan

Releasing physical tension. Trauma lives in the body, not just the mind. We check for lingering physical discomfort and process it until you feel complete relief.

Phase 7: Closure

Ensuring stability. Each session ends with grounding techniques to help you return to equilibrium, whether processing is complete or ongoing.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

Tracking progress. At each new session, we assess how you're doing, what's changed, and what still needs attention. This ensures lasting results.

The entire process typically spans 6-12 sessions for single-incident trauma, though complex PTSD may require more time. At Safer Psychiatry, we move at your pace—never rushing, always supporting.

Important Note: The EMDR phases aren't rigid boxes. Some clients move through certain phases quickly, while others need more time. Your therapist will adapt the approach to match your needs and readiness.

EMDR for Anxiety: Breaking Free from Constant Worry

While EMDR gained fame for treating trauma, its effectiveness for anxiety disorders has become impossible to ignore. If you're dealing with generalized anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, or phobias, EMDR for anxiety might be the breakthrough you've been searching for.

Here's what makes EMDR different from traditional anxiety treatments: instead of just managing symptoms or learning coping skills (though those help too), EMDR targets the root experiences that created your anxiety patterns in the first place.

Research from the Journal of Anxiety Disorders shows that EMDR reduces anxiety symptoms by an average of 58% within 8-10 sessions. More importantly, these improvements tend to last because you're addressing causes, not just symptoms.

How EMDR Treats Different Anxiety Disorders

Generalized Anxiety: We identify the early experiences or ongoing situations that fuel constant worry. By processing these memories, your nervous system learns it can relax.

Panic Disorder: EMDR targets the first panic attack and subsequent triggering events. Clients often report that panic attacks decrease in frequency and intensity before stopping altogether.

Social Anxiety: We process memories of embarrassment, rejection, or criticism that created social fears. As these memories lose their emotional charge, social situations become manageable.

Specific Phobias: Whether it's flying, heights, or medical procedures, EMDR helps desensitize the fear response connected to these situations.

Take Control of Your Anxiety

Don't let another day pass feeling trapped by worry and fear

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Finding the Right EMDR Therapist: Your Search Ends Here

Typing "EMDR therapists near me" into Google returns dozens of results, but how do you know who's actually qualified? Not all EMDR training is created equal, and your healing deserves expertise.

What to Look for in an EMDR Therapist:

Proper Certification: Therapists should have completed EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) approved training—a minimum of 20 hours of instruction plus 20 hours of consultation. At Safer Psychiatry, all our EMDR therapists exceed this standard.

Trauma-Informed Approach: EMDR is powerful, but it needs to be delivered with sensitivity to trauma dynamics. Your therapist should understand concepts like grounding, window of tolerance, and trauma triggers.

Collaborative Style: EMDR works best when therapist and client work as partners. You should feel heard, respected, and involved in treatment decisions.

Integrating EMDR with Complementary Therapies

At Safer Psychiatry, we understand that healing is multidimensional. That's why we offer integrated treatment approaches that combine EMDR with other evidence-based modalities to enhance your recovery journey.

For clients who find traditional talk therapy challenging, we also provide Safer Psychiatry's Music Therapy—a complementary approach that uses therapeutic music interventions to support emotional processing and healing. Music therapy can work alongside EMDR to help regulate the nervous system, provide non-verbal outlets for expression, and create a sense of safety during trauma processing.

This integrated approach recognizes that trauma affects the whole person—mind, body, and emotions. By combining EMDR's structured processing with complementary modalities like music therapy, we can address healing from multiple angles, often leading to more comprehensive and lasting results.

Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Services

How long does each EMDR session last?

Standard EMDR sessions run 60-90 minutes. At Safer Psychiatry, we typically recommend 90-minute sessions for EMDR work, as this allows adequate time for processing without rushing closure.

Can I do EMDR if I'm on medication?

Yes. EMDR is compatible with psychiatric medications. In fact, some clients benefit from the combination—medication stabilizes symptoms while EMDR addresses root causes. Always inform your EMDR therapist about any medications you're taking.

Is EMDR online as effective as in-person therapy?

Research shows comparable outcomes between online and in-person EMDR. The key is having a therapist trained in virtual delivery and ensuring you have a private, comfortable space for sessions. Our online EMDR program includes specific adaptations that maintain treatment integrity.

What if I don't remember specific traumatic events?

You don't need detailed memories to benefit from EMDR. We can work with feelings, body sensations, or general sense of distress. Some clients discover that memories become clearer during processing, while others simply notice symptoms improving without full memory recall.

How much does EMDR therapy cost?

Investment in EMDR varies by provider and location. At Safer Psychiatry, we offer transparent pricing and work with many insurance providers. Contact us for specific rates and insurance information. We also offer payment plans for those who need them.

Can EMDR make things worse?

While temporary increases in distress can occur (especially early in treatment), properly administered EMDR shouldn't make your overall condition worse. This is why working with qualified therapists who follow all eight EMDR phases is crucial. We never rush processing and always ensure you're stabilized before ending sessions.

Why Safer Psychiatry for Your EMDR Treatment

You have options when it comes to EMDR providers. Here's what makes Safer Psychiatry different:

Comprehensive Care: We don't just offer EMDR in isolation. Our integrated approach combines therapy with psychiatric care, medication management when needed, and ongoing support.

Evidence-Based Practice: Our EMDR therapists hold advanced certifications and participate in ongoing training. We stay current with the latest research and refinements in trauma treatment.

Personalized Protocols: We adapt the stages of EMDR to fit your unique situation. Cookie-cutter approaches don't work for trauma—individualized care does.

Ethical Practice: We provide honest EMDR consulting about whether EMDR is truly right for you. If another approach would serve you better, we'll tell you.

Holistic Integration: We recognize that healing often benefits from multiple modalities. That's why we offer complementary services like Safer Psychiatry's Music Therapy to support your comprehensive recovery.

Your Healing Begins Now

Don't spend another day carrying the weight of unprocessed trauma. Contact Safer Psychiatry today for expert EMDR therapy that works.

Start Your EMDR Journey

Schedule your consultation to learn more about our comprehensive treatment approach

Transform your trauma. Reclaim your life. Trust the EMDR experts at Safer Psychiatry.