What Conditions Does EMDR Therapy Treat?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is widely recognized for its effectiveness in treating trauma-related conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Beyond PTSD, EMDR therapy is also used to address a variety of mental health challenges such as anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, and other psychological disorders. It can help individuals process distressing memories, reduce emotional triggers, and alleviate symptoms tied to traumatic experiences. Additionally, EMDR therapy has shown promise in managing conditions like complicated grief, chronic pain, and performance anxiety. By targeting unresolved distress, EMDR therapy supports emotional healing and fosters overall mental well-being. To learn more, contact our NYC EMDR therapists at Balanced Mind of New York for a free 15-minute consultation.
How Many Sessions of EMDR Therapy Will I Need?
The number of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy sessions needed will vary depending on factors such as the severity of the condition, personal history, and individual response to treatment. For those dealing with mild anxiety, recent distressing events, or single-incident trauma, significant improvement can often be seen within a few sessions. These cases typically involve fewer negative memories to process, allowing for quicker emotional and cognitive shifts.
Anxiety Disorders or Mild to Moderate Past Trauma
For individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), phobias, or mild to moderate trauma, the process may take 10 to 12 EMDR therapy sessions to effectively reprocess distressing experiences and reduce the emotional intensity of anxiety triggers. Since GAD involves persistent and excessive worry, EMDR therapy often targets underlying negative self-beliefs and past experiences contributing to chronic anxiety.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Other Complex Trauma
More complex conditions, such as chronic PTSD, childhood trauma, sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, or complex trauma, may require 12 or more sessions over several months. In these cases, EMDR therapy moves at a slower pace to ensure emotional stability and to avoid overwhelming the individual. Those with co-occurring disorders, such as depression, dissociation, personality disorders, or attachment issues, may need additional time to address interconnected emotional distress.
Ultimately, how long EMDR therapy takes to resolve mental health symptoms is highly individualized. The number of sessions required varies because some people respond quickly, while others require a more gradual approach. Progress is assessed continuously, and EMDR therapy is tailored to ensure the individual processes distressing memories at a pace that is safe and effective.
What Are the Eight Phases of EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy uses a step-by-step process of eight phases to help people deal with anxiety and negative feelings. These steps are designed to guide individuals through their healing journey.
1. History-Taking and Treatment Planning Phase:
During the first phase of EMDR, the therapist talks with the client about their past to understand their experiences. When taking a thorough history of the client’s experiences, they identify issues to work on, such as fears, worries, traumatic memories, or specific events, and create a comprehensive treatment plan.
2. Preparation Phase:
In this stage of treatment, your EMDR therapist at Balanced Mind of New York will explain how EMDR works and what will happen during the EMDR sessions. They will help you feel safe and build trust. You may also learn some relaxation methods or ways to cope with stress.
3. Assessment Phase:
During this next phase of treatment, the client identifies a painful memory, traumatic event, or negative belief and the negative feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations that go along with it. At the same time, they will support you in choosing a positive thought to use instead of the negative one.
4. Desensitization Phase:
The fourth phase of treatment focuses on the EMDR therapy process known as bilateral stimulation. This includes guided eye movements or tapping exercises that are done while recalling the traumatic memory or other stressful situation. The patient’s eye movements are a key component of the EMDR process that stimulate healing brain processes.
5. Installation Phase:
Your highly trained psychotherapist at Balanced Mind of New York helps you build a stronger positive belief about yourself, making sure this belief becomes a natural part of your identity and coping mechanisms. This phase focuses on reducing the impact of disturbing memories or other traumatic experiences, leading to a more peaceful life.
6. Body Scan Phase:
In the sixth phase of EMDR treatment, the client is encouraged to pay attention to how their body feels and to notice any leftover body sensations, like tension or discomfort. The aim is to help the body let go of any negative associations with the traumatic memory.
7. Closure Phase:
The closure phase of EMDR therapy is a crucial step that ensures emotional stability and containment at the end of each session, especially if a distressing memory was processed but not fully resolved. This phase occurs at the end of every EMDR session, regardless of whether the reprocessing of a traumatic or anxiety-provoking memory is complete. The goal is to help the individual return to a state of emotional balance and psychological safety before leaving the session.
8. Reevaluation Phase:
At the beginning of each new EMDR treatment session, the therapist checks on current symptoms, reviews what was achieved in the last session, and decides what to focus on next in therapy based on what the client needs at that time.
This holistic, evidence-based approach helps your EMDR therapist at Balanced Mind of New York support you in your healing journey, encouraging lasting recovery from high anxiety and trauma-related issues.
How Will I Know When EMDR Therapy Is Working?
You will know EMDR therapy is working when you start experiencing a noticeable reduction in symptoms, both emotionally and physically. Situations or thoughts that previously triggered excessive worry, fear, or flashbacks may feel less overwhelming, and your emotional reactions to traumatic memories may become more neutral. You may also notice a shift in your thought patterns, where negative feelings, such as “I’m not safe” or “I’m not good enough,” are replaced with more balanced, positive self-talk. Additionally, if you previously avoided certain people, places, or activities due to anxiety, past trauma, or an increase in other mental health symptoms, you might find yourself engaging more freely and with greater confidence.
Another key indicator of progress is an increased sense of emotional resilience and control. When stressful situations arise, you may recover more quickly and feel less emotionally strained. Your physical symptoms of anxiety, such as muscle tension, restlessness, and sleep disturbances, may gradually improve. You may also find that traumatic memories or experiences that once felt overwhelming no longer carry the same emotional weight. If you feel more at peace, better able to handle uncertainty, and notice an overall improvement in your daily functioning and relationships, these are strong signs that EMDR therapy is effectively helping you heal. Tracking these changes in a journal or discussing them with your compassionate therapist at Balanced Mind of New York can help confirm your progress.
What Is the Success Rate of EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has shown high efficacy in treating a variety of mental health conditions, including PTSD, OCD, anxiety disorders, and phobias. Research studies reveal that EMDR therapy is particularly effective for PTSD, with many studies demonstrating significant symptom reduction in the majority of patients after just a few sessions.
For individuals with anxiety disorders and phobias, EMDR has been found to reduce the intensity of triggers and associated distress, promoting greater emotional regulation and confidence in managing fears. While the length of treatment for OCD may vary due to the complexities of the condition, EMDR is increasingly being integrated into treatment plans for patients who have experienced trauma-related OCD. Overall, numerous clinical studies and patient outcomes support EMDR therapy as a proven therapeutic approach for a wide range of psychological challenges.
How Do I Start EMDR Therapy?
The first step involves finding a licensed mental health counselor or therapist who specializes in EMDR techniques. Select someone who has experience in addressing trauma and related issues that align with your personal mental health goals.
Many therapists offer introductory consultations, either in person or virtually, where you can discuss your needs, learn about their approach, and explore whether EMDR therapy might be a suitable option for you. Balanced Mind of New York invites you to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation with one of our EMDR therapists to discuss your treatment goals.
How Do I Pay For My EMDR Therapy?
At Balanced Mind of New York, we offer multiple payment options to fit your needs and budget.
In-Network Insurance Provider: Balanced Mind is proud to be an in-network provider for clients covered by Aetna, Cigna, Oscar, and Oxford insurance plans.
Out-of-Network Insurance Provider: For all other insurances, we provide superbills for reimbursement. We will contact your insurance company to confirm your eligibility and benefits, including the reimbursement rate for each session. We will also guide you through the process of sending superbills to your insurance.
If you have an out-of-network plan, any reimbursements will be sent directly to you from your insurance provider. Insurance typically reimburses 50-80% of the fee, but note that each policy is different.
Self-Payment Options: If no insurance coverage is available, clients may choose to pay for services out of their own pocket. If you need to pay out of pocket, we offer a sliding scale as part of our commitment to providing affordable care.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and HSA/FSA cards.
Contact Details for the EMDR Therapists at Balanced Mind of New York
Contact the EMDR therapists at Balanced Mind of New York at [email protected] or 646-883-5544 to take the first step toward a healthier you. We offer the choice of virtual or in-person sessions to meet your needs.
