EMDR Therapy in NYC: How It Works, What to Expect, and Where to Start
Your guide to EMDR in NYC.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence-based treatment for trauma, anxiety, and other emotional challenges.
It’s a transformative process for many, but at the same time, it can also feel complex and draining to navigate.
This guide breaks down essential questions about experiencing EMDR in NYC, helping you understand its process, timeline, effects, and benefits.
What Is EMDR Therapy and How Does It Work?
EMDR is a structured, eight-phase therapy designed to help your brain process unresolved trauma and distressing memories.
While many think it’s only about reliving painful events, EMDR begins with extensive preparation and resourcing.
Here’s an overview of the eight-stage process:
History-Taking and Treatment Planning
The therapist gathers a detailed personal history to understand your challenges and create a plan. This phase often lasts 1–2 sessions.
Preparation
You’ll learn coping strategies to stabilize your nervous system.
These include:
Calm Place: Visualizing a mental “safe zone” for stress relief.
Container Technique: Imagining a way to set aside distressing memories temporarily.
Ally Installation: Identifying supportive figures to help during processing.
Assessment
Your therapist identifies specific traumatic memories to address, activating them in a manageable way.
Desensitization
Using bilateral stimulation—like eye movements, tapping, or tones—your brain reprocesses the traumatic memory, reducing its emotional charge.
Installation
Positive beliefs replace distressing ones associated with the memory.
Body Scan
You notice lingering physical sensations related to the memory and address them.
Closure
Each session concludes with techniques to restore calm and stability.
Reevaluation
The therapist reviews progress and determines the next steps.
The hallmark of EMDR is bilateral stimulation, which activates both sides of the brain, helping it process memories stuck in fight, flight or freeze modes.
How Many Sessions of EMDR Therapy Will I Need?
The number of sessions depends on the complexity of the trauma and your personal goals.
Here’s a general breakdown:
Single Event Trauma: Recent events like car accidents or break-ins may take fewer sessions (e.g., 6–8).
Complex Trauma or Childhood Experiences: Deeper wounds can take months to address.
General Timeline:
History-taking and preparation: 2–4 sessions
Processing and reprocessing: Varies based on memory complexity
No two individuals are the same, and healing can’t be rushed. Trust the process and move at a pace that feels safe.
What’s the Timeline of EMDR?
EMDR therapy follows the eight phases described above, progressing at a pace tailored to you.
Most sessions are spent in phases 4–7 (desensitization to closure), addressing traumatic memories one by one.
The timeline also depends on:
The number of memories tied to distress.
Your ability to tolerate emotional intensity during processing.
Time spent integrating between sessions.
Why Is EMDR So Draining?
EMDR is taxing because it works on deep memory networks, requiring significant emotional and cognitive effort. The process involves revisiting painful experiences and reprocessing them, which can temporarily increase fatigue and emotional sensitivity or even cause odd dreams.
Think of it as the mental equivalent of running a marathon—intense but rewarding.
What to Do After an EMDR Session
After EMDR, your brain continues processing memories.
Here’s how to support your nervous system post-session:
Integrate: Engage in calming activities like journaling, walking, or meditating.
Rest: Prioritize sleep to give your brain time to heal.
Avoid Substances: Alcohol or drugs can interfere with integration.
Practice Self-Care: Enjoy a warm bath, read a comforting book, or spend time in nature.
If you're in NYC, consider visiting the Williamsburg Bathhouse or relaxing along the waterfront following an EMDR therapy in NYC.
Why Is EMDR So Expensive?
The cost of EMDR therapy reflects the specialized training and expertise required to provide safe and effective treatment. EMDR therapists undergo extensive education beyond graduate school, including:
A 50+ hour intensive training program specifically focused on trauma processing.
Ongoing individual and group supervision to refine their skills.
Continuing education to stay up to date with the latest research and best practices in trauma therapy.
EMDR vs. Traditional Weekly Therapy
In weekly therapy, you might spend four sessions per month (costing ~$1,000) working on one specific stressor—but life happens. Stress from work, exhaustion, or daily responsibilities can slow down progress.
It’s common to shift focus from week to week, meaning it could take several months of weekly therapy ($1,000 x multiple months) before you fully resolve a single issue.
The Cost-Effective Power of EMDR Intensives
EMDR intensives accelerate healing by allowing you to focus deeply on reprocessing without interruptions. A typical EMDR intensive includes:
10-15 minutes of grounding, checking in, and setting an intention.
160-210 minutes of deep EMDR reprocessing.
10-15 minutes of closure and integration.
In just half a day (costing ~$1,000), you might fully resolve one or multiple stressors—work that could otherwise take months of traditional therapy. With 2-3 hours of EMDR reprocessing, you’re doing the equivalent of 8-12 weeks of talk therapy in a fraction of the time.
Ultimately, while EMDR may seem expensive upfront, it’s an efficient, results-driven approach that can help you heal faster, reducing the need for prolonged therapy and saving you money in the long run.
Does EMDR Work for Anxiety?
Yes! Anxiety often stems from unresolved past experiences. EMDR addresses both the root causes and current symptoms of anxiety by:
Reprocessing memories that trigger anxious responses.
Using resources like Calm Place or Containment for immediate relief.
Building resilience to future stressors.
Many clients find EMDR helps them uncover and release hidden sources of anxiety, leading to long-lasting relief.
Common EMDR FAQs
How Long Do EMDR Results Last?
Once a memory is fully processed, the results are permanent. You’ll still remember the event, but it will no longer carry the same emotional charge.
Is Crying Normal During EMDR?
Yes, emotional release is common and part of the healing process. Allowing emotions to flow helps your brain integrate the experience fully.
Is EMDR Covered by Insurance?
Most insurance plans cover EMDR as a standard therapy session. However, extended or intensive sessions may only be partially covered. Check with your provider for details.
Why Choose EMDR Therapy in NYC?
Navigating trauma or anxiety in a city as fast-paced as New York can feel overwhelming.
EMDR offers a structured, effective approach to healing, allowing you to regain control and build resilience.
In NYC, therapists often blend EMDR with other modalities like mindfulness and somatic practices for a truly holistic experience.
If you’re ready to explore EMDR therapy in New York City, reach out to a trained therapist to get started.
More notes on EMDR:
Julie Goldberg is a licensed therapist and the founder of Third Nature Therapy. Her practice focuses on helping individuals better understand their inner world, befriend their nervous system (instead of working against it), and navigate changing relationships. She offers somatic therapy, EMDR intensives, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Brooklyn, NY.