EMDR Therapy

A trauma-focused approach to helping the mind and body process experiences that continue to feel unresolved.

What Is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach designed to help individuals process distressing experiences that may continue to affect thoughts, emotions, beliefs, behaviors, and physical responses.

Rather than focusing solely on talking through an experience, EMDR uses a structured approach to support the brain's natural ability to process and integrate information that may have remained distressing or unresolved.

How EMDR Works

EMDR follows a structured eight-phase approach that includes understanding your history and treatment goals, preparing for the work, identifying experiences to be processed, reprocessing distressing material, and evaluating progress over time. Preparation is an important part of the process. Before reprocessing begins, time is spent developing resources and strategies to help you remain grounded and manage distress that may arise during or between sessions.

During reprocessing, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, which involves alternating stimulation of the left and right sides of the body. This may include guided eye movements, alternating taps, or other forms of bilateral stimulation. While focusing on specific aspects of a distressing experience, you are guided through sets of bilateral stimulation and invited to notice thoughts, emotions, images, sensations, or other information that emerges.

You remain awake, aware, and in control throughout the process. EMDR does not erase memories or require you to forget what happened. The goal is to help distressing experiences become more adaptively processed so they no longer carry the same emotional intensity or influence.

Is EMDR Right for Me?

EMDR may be helpful for individuals whose past experiences continue to affect how they think, feel, respond, or relate to themselves and others in the present. Although EMDR is widely associated with post-traumatic stress, it may also be used as part of treatment for other concerns when clinically appropriate.

Choosing EMDR involves more than identifying a distressing experience you would like to address. Before beginning reprocessing, Dr. Robinson will evaluate your history, current concerns, treatment goals, coping resources, emotional stability, and readiness for this type of work. Together, you will discuss whether EMDR is an appropriate treatment option and what preparation may be needed before moving forward.

Not everyone who is interested in EMDR will be ready to begin reprocessing immediately. In some cases, additional preparation, stabilization, or other therapeutic work may be recommended first. The pace of treatment is guided by your individual needs rather than by a predetermined timeline.

EMDR Readiness Assessment

An EMDR Readiness Assessment is available for individuals who are considering EMDR and would like a focused assessment before beginning treatment. The assessment explores relevant history, current concerns, treatment goals, coping resources, emotional stability, and other factors that may influence readiness for EMDR.

Following the assessment, Dr. Robinson will discuss clinical impressions and recommendations regarding possible next steps, including whether additional preparation or stabilization may be beneficial before beginning reprocessing.

The EMDR Readiness Assessment may be completed as a standalone service. Completing the assessment does not require you to receive ongoing EMDR therapy through Phoenix Counseling, and individuals may choose to pursue treatment with another qualified EMDR provider.

Request an EMDR Readiness Assessment

EMDR at Phoenix Counseling

At Phoenix Counseling, EMDR is provided within a trauma-informed approach that recognizes the importance of safety, preparation, choice, and individualized care. Treatment is not centered on moving through the process as quickly as possible. The goal is to provide enough preparation and support for the work to proceed at a pace appropriate for you.

EMDR may be used as a focused treatment approach or incorporated into a broader treatment plan when clinically appropriate. Your treatment plan will be developed based on your history, current needs, goals, and readiness rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.

Because trauma can affect people in different ways, the amount of preparation and the length of treatment will vary. Progress will be evaluated throughout the process, and treatment may be adjusted as your needs change.

EMDR Session Options

EMDR may be provided in traditional or extended session formats depending on your treatment needs, goals, and readiness.

EMDR Sessions

EMDR sessions may be scheduled for an extended period when additional time is clinically appropriate for preparation, reprocessing, and closure. Session length will be discussed as part of treatment planning.

EMDR Intensives

For individuals who may benefit from more concentrated treatment time, EMDR intensives may be available in sessions of up to three hours. An intensive provides a longer therapeutic block for focused EMDR work while still allowing time for preparation, breaks when needed, and appropriate closure before the session ends.

An evaluation is required before scheduling an EMDR intensive to determine whether this format is clinically appropriate for you.

EMDR Fees & Payment

EMDR services at Phoenix Counseling are offered on a self-pay basis and are not billed to insurance.

Fees vary based on the length and type of EMDR service provided. Current fees will be reviewed before treatment or an intensive is scheduled so that you understand the expected cost in advance.

A Good Faith Estimate is available in accordance with applicable federal requirements for individuals who do not use insurance or choose not to submit claims to insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • EMDR does not require you to describe every detail of a distressing or traumatic experience. Some information will need to be discussed so that treatment can be planned appropriately, but EMDR does not depend on repeatedly telling the entire story in detail.

  • No. EMDR is not hypnosis. You remain awake, aware of your surroundings, and able to communicate throughout the session. You remain an active participant in the process and can ask to pause or stop at any time.

  • Not. EMDR includes assessment and preparation before reprocessing. The amount of preparation needed varies from person to person. Reprocessing begins when you and Dr. Robinson have determined that you are sufficiently prepared to move forward.

  • There is no standard number of sessions that applies to everyone. The length of treatment may be influenced by your history, treatment goals, the nature and complexity of the experiences being addressed, current circumstances, and how you respond to treatment. Progress is evaluated throughout the process.

  • Preparation is part of EMDR treatment. If additional stabilization, coping resources, or other therapeutic work would be helpful before reprocessing, treatment can focus on those areas first. Beginning EMDR does not mean that you must move into reprocessing before you are ready.

  • EMDR may be provided through secure telehealth when clinically appropriate. Your location, individual needs, privacy, safety considerations, and suitability for remote EMDR will be evaluated before determining whether telehealth is an appropriate format.

Getting Started with EMDR

If you are interested in EMDR, the first step is determining whether the approach is appropriate for your needs and where you are in your healing process.

An initial evaluation provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns, treatment history, goals, and interest in EMDR. Dr. Robinson will also assess factors related to readiness and discuss recommended next steps with you.

Get Started with EMDR