EMDR Therapy in Salisbury and Bethesda, Maryland
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured, one-on-one therapy for trauma and PTSD. While you briefly hold an upsetting memory in mind, your therapist guides side-to-side eye movements, sounds or taps. The goal is for the memory to become less distressing. Some clinicians at Balanced Life Counseling Services are trained or certified in EMDR.
Who it helps
A memory that still feels as raw as the day it happened
Nightmares or flashbacks that keep pulling you back
Going out of your way to avoid places, people or reminders
Wanting trauma treatment without describing every detail out loud
Feeling stuck after other kinds of talk therapy
What EMDR is and what it is used for
EMDR is an individual therapy that focuses on a specific upsetting memory. You pay attention to a back-and-forth movement or sound while you call the memory to mind. The aim is for the event to become a memory that is no longer so distressing, and to build more positive beliefs about yourself.
The VA's National Center for PTSD describes EMDR as one of the most effective types of treatment for PTSD. The World Health Organization names EMDR, along with cognitive behavioral therapy with a trauma focus, as the psychological treatments with the most evidence for PTSD.
The EMDR International Association notes that therapists also use EMDR for other concerns, including anxiety, depression, and grief and loss. The VA and WHO statements above are about PTSD specifically, so we will talk with you plainly about whether EMDR fits what you are dealing with or whether another kind of trauma therapy or anxiety therapy makes more sense.
The eight phases of EMDR in plain terms
EMDR follows eight phases, as described by the EMDR International Association. Some take a session or more, and some happen within a single visit.
History and treatment planning. Your therapist takes a thorough history and develops a treatment plan with you.
Preparation. You learn specific techniques for handling emotional distress, so you have tools before any memory work begins.
Assessment. Together you pick a memory to work on and identify the thoughts, feelings and body sensations tied to it.
Desensitization. You focus on the memory while following sets of eye movements, sounds or taps. Each set is short, and afterward you say what you noticed.
Installation. You concentrate on a positive belief you would rather hold, with the goal of strengthening it.
Body scan. You bring the original event to mind and check whether any tension remains in your body.
Closure. Closure ends every session, whether or not the memory is fully processed that day.
Reevaluation. Each new session opens with a check on how you have been and what the plan needs next.
What an EMDR session feels like
According to the National Center for PTSD, in most cases you will not be asked to talk about the details of your trauma. You will be asked to think about it during the session, which is different from narrating it.
The eye movements, sounds or taps come in sets of about 30 seconds. Between sets you describe what the exercise was like for you, and your therapist decides with you what to focus on next.
You may feel uncomfortable when you focus on trauma-related memories or beliefs. The National Center for PTSD says these feelings are usually brief, and that most people who complete EMDR find the benefits outweigh the initial discomfort. Tell your therapist if you need to slow down or pause.
If you are in crisis at any point, call or text 988 or call 911. Our office does not provide emergency services.
How EMDR fits with other therapy
EMDR is one option, not the only one. Several of our clinicians also use cognitive behavioral therapy, and the WHO lists trauma-focused forms of it next to EMDR. Your therapist will explain the choices so that you can decide together.
If you would like to compare the two before you call, our article on EMDR and CBT walks through the differences.
Scheduling, telehealth and first steps
We offer in-person and telehealth appointments at our Salisbury and Bethesda offices. Whether EMDR by video is a good fit depends on you and your clinician, and telehealth depends on where you are located during the session, so please ask when you call.
When you contact us, say that you are interested in EMDR so we can match you with a clinician who has that training. You can read about our clinicians on the team page, and the new patients page explains forms and what to bring.
Your first visit is an assessment, not memory work. Your therapist will invite you to share what has been going on and what you hope will change.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to describe my trauma in detail during EMDR?
Usually not. The VA's National Center for PTSD says that in most cases you will not be asked to talk about the details of your trauma. You will be asked to think about the memory while following eye movements, sounds or taps, and then to say briefly what you noticed. Your therapist needs enough information to plan treatment, and you decide how much to share.
How long does EMDR therapy take?
It varies from person to person. The National Center for PTSD describes a typical course as about 3 months of weekly sessions lasting 50 to 90 minutes, and notes that many people start to notice improvement after a few sessions. Your own pace may be different. Ask us about session length and scheduling when you call, and your therapist will review progress with you as you go.
Will EMDR make me feel worse at first?
Focusing on a painful memory can be uncomfortable. The National Center for PTSD says these feelings are usually brief and that most people who complete EMDR find the benefits outweigh the initial discomfort. The preparation phase exists so that you have coping techniques before memory work starts, and every session ends with a closure step.
Is EMDR only for PTSD?
PTSD is where the sources we rely on speak most clearly: both the VA's National Center for PTSD and the World Health Organization point to EMDR as a well-supported PTSD treatment. The EMDR International Association says therapists also use it for concerns such as anxiety, depression, and grief and loss. Your therapist can tell you whether it suits your situation.
Does insurance cover EMDR therapy?
Coverage depends on your plan, so please verify your benefits before your first visit. We accept a number of plans, including CareFirst / Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare. Self-pay individual therapy is $130 for 45 to 50 minutes, and a Sliding Fee Program based on household income and family size is available. See insurance and fees for the full list.
Can EMDR be done through telehealth?
We offer telehealth appointments, and whether EMDR by video is right for you is something to decide with your clinician. Telehealth also depends on where you are physically located during the session. Ask about both when you call 443-978-8688, and we will tell you what is possible in your case.
Ready to talk with someone?
Call 443-978-8688 or request an appointment. We see clients in person in Salisbury and Bethesda and by telehealth across Maryland.
Sources
VA National Center for PTSD: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD
World Health Organization: Post-traumatic stress disorder (fact sheet)
If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.
