EMDR
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is simpler than it sounds.
When something painful or overwhelming happens, your brain sometimes can't fully process it the way it does an ordinary memory. Instead, the memory gets "stuck." It keeps resurfacing: the images, the emotions, the tightness in your chest—as if it's happening all over again, even years later.
EMDR helps your brain finish the job. During a session, you'll briefly bring a difficult memory to mind while your therapist guides you through gentle back-and-forth stimulation, which may include eye movements, taps, or tones. This helps your brain reprocess the memory, so it loses its grip. The memory doesn't disappear, but it stops hijacking your present.
One thing people are often relieved to hear: you don't have to talk through every detail of what happened. EMDR works with how the memory is stored, not how well you can narrate it.
EMDR tends to help people who are carrying something that talk therapy alone hasn't fully resolved.
Who is EMDR a good fit for?
You might be a good fit if you're dealing with:
Trauma or PTSD: whether from a single event (an accident, an assault, a sudden loss) or years of harder experiences
Anxiety, panic, or phobias that feel bigger than the situation in front of you
Grief that you can't seem to move through
Memories or moments that keep intruding when you don't want them to
A sense of being "stuck,” like you understand your patterns intellectually but still can't shift them
If you've ever thought I know this shouldn't still affect me, but it does — that's exactly the kind of stuck EMDR is built for.
When EMDR might not be the right starting point
EMDR is powerful, and like anything powerful, timing matters. It may not be where we begin if you're currently in acute crisis, navigating active substance dependence, or managing certain conditions that call for more grounding first.
That's not a closed door. In most of these cases, the answer is not yet rather than not ever. We'd focus first on stability and coping skills, then move into EMDR when you're ready to do that deeper work safely. We figure out the right fit together. You won't have to assess this on your own.
Getting the Most Out of EMDR
EMDR is most effective when you can give yourself the time, space, and consistency needed for the work. While every person's experience is different, there are a few things that help set you up for success.
Commit to consistency. We recommend attending weekly sessions for at least the first two months of EMDR treatment. Consistent sessions help maintain momentum and allow the processing work to build over time.
Find a private space. EMDR often involves connecting with difficult memories, emotions, and body sensations. You'll want to be somewhere you can speak openly without interruptions or concerns about being overheard.
Use a laptop if possible. While EMDR can sometimes be adapted for other devices, a laptop or desktop computer typically provides the best experience for virtual sessions.
Think carefully about timing. We generally recommend avoiding EMDR sessions in the middle of your workday when possible. Processing can continue after the session ends, and many people find it helpful to have some space before returning to work, caregiving responsibilities, or other demands.
Avoid alcohol and recreational substances. To support the reprocessing work, we ask clients to avoid alcohol and non-prescribed substances for 24 hours before and after EMDR sessions. Prescribed medications should be taken as directed by your provider.
EMDR can be incredibly effective, but it works best as a collaborative process. Showing up consistently, creating space for the work, and following these recommendations can make a meaningful difference in your results.
Is EMDR covered by insurance?
Yes. EMDR is delivered as part of a standard therapy session, so it's covered the same way the rest of your therapy is. We're in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Harvard Pilgrim, and Health New England, and there's no separate or added cost for choosing EMDR.
