EMDR Therapy NYC

The number of sessions needed for EMDR therapy in NYC varies depending on your specific circumstances. No two people - or their trauma - are exactly the same and complexity of trauma has a huge impact on length of treatment. For instance, in our experience, some clients coping after single-incident traumas (such as car accidents, or a single episode of assault) may experience improvements within as few as 8 sessions.

On the other hand, clients with multiple traumas or complex histories of childhood abuse or neglect may require more sessions to process the traumatic memories. Even though these more complex trauma histories do often require more sessions, we’ve found that many of these people still start to experience some level of relief relatively quickly.

There is substantial, well-documented research indicating that EMDR helps reduce trauma-related symptoms, such as flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety. Due to this evidence, EMDR is backed by many major medical organizations for the treatment of trauma including the World Health Organization (WHO), the APA, and the Veteran’s Administration (VA). However, it's important to recognize that therapy is a personal process, so its effectiveness may vary from person to person.

By engaging in the process of reprocessing traumatic memories and experiences, many clients often report a reduction in the intensity and frequency of distressing symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. An EMDR therapy session can also help foster a sense of emotional resilience and empowerment, enabling you to reclaim control over your life and forge healthier patterns of coping and relating to others. These types of shifts in symptoms pave the way to find relief and to empower you to reclaim agency over both your past and your future.

One of the core tenets behind EMDR states that the brain has an inherent ability to move towards health. Through harnessing this process, we're able to create profound change and resilience. This therapeutic approach doesn’t take away the memory of the event or make it feel as if the trauma never happened, but it does help you to have a new, less reactive relationship with the memory. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original trauma is resolved. Through the collaborative efforts of you and your therapist, EMDR can open the door to recovery, paving the way for greater self-understanding, resilience, and emotional well-being.

Our unique approach at Madison Square Psychotherapy integrates evidence-based techniques with a compassionate and client-centered ethos. We recognize that healing is not a one-size-fits-all journey and our trauma therapists tailor each therapeutic intervention to meet the unique needs and goals based on your personal history and trauma. Integration of other psychotherapy modalities, extended sessions, and increased session frequency are a few of the ways we offer a customized treatment plan for those seeking EMDR therapy NYC.

At Madison Square, we strongly believe in the inner resilience of all human beings and we approach all we do with a strengths-based lens. Our work is grounded in the profound resilience inherent within each human being. Rather than focusing solely on pathology or deficits, we strive to help illuminate and amplify the inherent resilience that lies within you. Through compassionate guidance and collaborative exploration, we strive to work alongside you to unearth your own unique strengths and capacities for growth.

Through the collaborative partnership forged in EMDR, our goal is to empower you to unearth your innate capacity for resilience and renewal. Whether you're grappling with the aftermath of a specific traumatic event or navigating the complexities of cumulative stress and adversity, our skilled therapists are committed to walking alongside you every step of the way.

EMDR may be helpful if you’ve experienced either a single traumatic event or ongoing, complex trauma. This includes experiences such as sexual assault, childhood abuse or neglect, relationship betrayal, accidents, violence, medical trauma, or natural disasters.

While EMDR was initially developed for supporting PTSD, therapists may also use it when anxiety, depression, substance misuse, eating disorders, or relationship difficulties are connected to unresolved experiences. 

At Madison Square Psychotherapy, we work with a diverse range of people, including survivors of interpersonal trauma, veterans, and first responders. Your therapist will consider your symptoms, history, coping resources, and goals to determine whether EMDR is a good fit for you.

EMDR may not be appropriate if someone is experiencing severe symptoms that need to be stabilized before beginning trauma-focused work. This may include people with symptoms of psychosis, acute substance dependence, an immediate mental health crisis, or difficulty remaining grounded while discussing distressing experiences.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that EMDR will never be an option for these people, simply that it is often helpful to treat the most serious symptoms first.

At Madison Square Psychotherapy, EMDR therapy in NYC involves assessing each client individually and recommending the treatment approach and pace that feels safest and most appropriate for their current needs.

Yes, it can. Although EMDR was originally developed as an in-person therapy model, it can be adapted for secure teletherapy by using bilateral stimulation methods that work in a virtual setting. 

We’re happy to offer both virtual (telehealth) and in-person EMDR therapy in New York City.

Yes, most insurances do cover EMDR therapy. In terms of medical billing, EMDR is coded the same way as other forms of talk therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). If your insurance plan has mental health benefits, it most likely covers EMDR as a therapy modality.

That being said, EMDR typically requires longer sessions (60-90 minutes) than other forms of psychotherapy (45-50 minutes) and your insurance company may not pay the additional cost associated with an extended session.

Ultimately, whether sessions are covered depends on your plan’s specific mental health benefits, deductibles, out-of-network reimbursement, and the length of the appointment, however, so it’s good to call your insurance company to verify your coverage. Visit our insurance and billing page to see what we suggest asking your insurance company or schedule a free consultation to discuss payment and out-of-network benefits.

Traditional talk therapy often relies heavily on reflection, and insight through conversation. In contrast, EMDR follows a more structured process and incorporates bilateral stimulation (or dual awareness stimulation) while you notice memories, beliefs, emotions, and physical sensations.

However, the two approaches don’t have to be separate. Our clinicians frequently integrate EMDR with psychodynamic therapy, CBT, mindfulness, and supportive conversation, which allows you to process trauma while understanding patterns and strengthening coping skills.