Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)EMDR Therapy in Texas
Painful memories do not have to keep hurting.
EMDR therapy helps your brain process painful memories so they feel less intense and lose their hold on you. With a licensed Dua Health therapist, you briefly focus on a difficult memory while following guided eye movements or another side-to-side rhythm, helping your mind store it as something that belongs in the past. Sessions are available online across Texas and in person in Austin.
Most insured members pay a $25 copay
EMDR therapy at Dua Health is covered by most major insurance plans, including Optum, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Oscar. Paying out of pocket? Self-pay sessions are $110. There is no waitlist.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR, short for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, was developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It is based on the idea that some distressing experiences get stuck in the brain without being fully processed, so they can feel as vivid and upsetting as when they first happened.
During EMDR, you hold a memory in mind while your therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movements, tapping or tones. This helps your brain reprocess the memory so it feels less charged.
EMDR is one of the most researched trauma therapies and is recommended for PTSD by organizations including the World Health Organization.
How EMDR therapy works
EMDR follows a structured, eight-phase process. Here is what it looks like:
History and planning
You and your therapist talk about your history and choose the memories or triggers you want to work on.
Preparation
Your therapist explains the process and teaches you calming skills you can use during and between sessions.
Assessment
You identify a target memory, the image that stands out, the negative belief tied to it and where you feel it in your body.
Reprocessing
You hold the memory in mind while following short sets of bilateral stimulation. Between sets, you notice what comes up. Over time, the distress usually fades.
Strengthening positive beliefs
Your therapist helps you connect the memory with a more helpful belief, like "I am safe now," and checks your body for any leftover tension.
Closure and reevaluation
Each session ends with grounding, and the next one begins by checking your progress.
What to expect
You do not need to describe the memory in detail. Some people notice relief within a few sessions, while complex trauma usually takes longer.
What can EMDR therapy help with?
Our therapists use EMDR to support people with:
Is EMDR therapy right for you?
EMDR may be a good fit if you:
Have a memory that still feels vivid or upsetting
Get triggered by reminders of a past event
Want a structured, research-backed trauma therapy
Prefer not to talk through every detail of what happened
How EMDR compares to other approaches
| Approach | Main focus | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| EMDR therapy | Reprocessing painful memories with bilateral stimulation | Short to medium term |
| Brainspotting | Processing what is held in the brain and body through eye position | Short to medium term |
| Trauma-informed therapy | Safety, choice and healing at your pace | Short to long term |
| Parts work (IFS-informed) | Understanding and healing the parts of you that protect or carry pain | Medium to long term |
Not sure which approach suits you? Our care team will help match you with a therapist whose style fits your needs.
How to start EMDR therapy at Dua Health
Tell us about yourself
Spend about 15 minutes sharing your history and what you would like help with.
Talk with a care expert
A quick 15-minute call helps us understand your goals.
Get matched with an EMDR therapist
Review your recommended therapists and book your first session within 24 hours.
Begin your sessions
Meet online from anywhere in Texas or in person at our Austin office.
EMDR therapy FAQs
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EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a structured therapy that helps you process painful memories using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, so they feel less distressing.
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Researchers are still studying exactly why EMDR works. One leading explanation is that bilateral stimulation occupies part of your working memory, so the memory feels less vivid and emotional while you process it.
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Yes. EMDR is one of the most studied treatments for PTSD and is recommended by organizations including the World Health Organization and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Both are used for trauma and work with the eyes. EMDR follows a structured eight-phase protocol with side-to-side eye movements. Brainspotting uses a single fixed eye position and tends to be more flexible and client-led.
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No. EMDR does not require you to describe the memory out loud in detail. You simply hold it in mind while your therapist guides the process.
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It depends on what you are working on. A single distressing event may take only a few sessions, while complex or long-term trauma usually takes longer.
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Yes. Your therapist can guide eye movements on screen or teach you self-tapping. Dua Health offers online EMDR anywhere in Texas, as well as in-person sessions in Austin.
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Most major insurance plans cover EMDR at Dua Health, and most insured members pay a $25 copay. Self-pay sessions are $110.
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Book a free 15-minute consult. Our care team will match you with a licensed EMDR therapist, usually within 24 hours.
Let the past stay in the past
Work with a licensed EMDR therapist online across Texas or in person in Austin.