Frequently Asked Questions

What is EMDR and how does it work?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. During an EMDR session, clients are guided to access particular aspects of a disturbing experience: images, emotions, sensations and self-referencing beliefs. This is paired with sets of "bilateral stimulation" (BLS) in the form of eye movements, hand-held pulsers, or audio tones. The BLS accelerates and deepens processing in a way that potentiates healing.

EMDR is designed to alleviate the intensity and emotional charge associated with traumatic memories. After successful treatment with EMDR, emotional distress decreases, negative beliefs about yourself are revised, and physiological discomfort is reduced. Disturbing memories are experienced as having happened in the past - no longer experienced as disturbing in the present.

Research provides evidence that EMDR is effective for treating PTSD. Clinical experience has demonstrated its effectiveness for treating recent and/or early life trauma, accidents and assaults, cultural and racialized trauma, grief and traumatic loss, attachment problems, phobias, performance anxiety, persistent disturbing memories, and generalized low self-esteem.

Who is eligible for this service?

People seeking specialized trauma treatment at a reduced fee. Common experiences that we treat include: Survival of a recent crime, accident, assault, or loss, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and attachment trauma. Our therapists are attuned to the racialized and cultural trauma themes that potentially impact all our clients.

What if I am already in therapy?

If EMDR is appropriate for you, it can be offered as an adjunct to your ongoing therapy. The EMDR therapist and your primary therapist will collaborate to support your well-coordinated treatment plan.

How does trauma therapy work?

Each treatment plan is tailored for the individual. In general, trauma therapy is accomplished in phases. Your treatment may include: A stabilization phase, in which your therapist will help you enhance your skills and capacity for tolerating strong emotions; A processing phase, in which you will be supported in processing the memories of what happened to you; The integration phase in which you incorporate the updated emotions and perspectives that evolved in your processing phase.

What are the length of treatment and the length of sessions?

Sessions in the EMDR/Trauma Treatment Center are 60 minutes. Twelve months of treatment are typically provided. Extensions may be requested and evaluated on an individual basis.

What does treatment cost?

For patients without insurance, there is a sliding scale based on adjusted income and financial circumstance. We also are in-network with several insurance providers. Please click here to review our fees page.

We are licensed to accept Medicare Advantage but, regrettably, we cannot accept Medicare or Medicaid.

How do I become a patient/client?

To make a request for an initial consultation, please click here. We will email you some forms to complete and your sliding-scale fee or copay will be clarified. After completing the forms, a clinician will contact you to schedule a 20-minute phone interview and to answer any questions. At the end of that phone call, you will either be offered an Initial Consultation or provided a referral for services that better suit your needs. Following the 90-minute Initial Consultation, you will either be assigned to an EMDR therapist who will determine with you your therapeutic fit, and suitability for EMDR at the EMDR/Trauma Treatment Center or provided with referrals that better suit your needs.