EMDR Therapy
EMDR-Certified Therapists for Trauma, Anxiety & PTSD Near You
Clinically reviewed by Geoffrey Peal, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist | Last updated June 2026 | Family Psychology Associates has served Tampa Bay since 1992.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is one of the most researched psychotherapy protocols of the past thirty years. It is recognized as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder by the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Department of Defense. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (typically guided eye movements, alternating sounds, or tapping) paired with structured attention to distressing memories, which allows the memory to integrate without the original emotional charge. What EMDR often accomplishes, compared with talk-only approaches, is a noticeable reduction in the physical and emotional intensity attached to a traumatic memory, sometimes in fewer sessions than clients expect.
FPA offers EMDR therapy at all three offices and by telehealth throughout Florida. Our EMDR-trained clinicians work with adults and adolescents across a range of presentations, from single-incident trauma to complex or early-life trauma. For a broader view of how we treat trauma overall, see our Trauma Resolution page, which sits alongside this one.
What EMDR Actually Treats
EMDR was developed for post-traumatic stress disorder and is still most strongly supported for that condition. In our caseload, it is used across a wider set of presentations, including:
- Single-incident trauma. Motor vehicle accidents, assaults, medical events, witnessed events, or natural disasters.
- Complex and relational trauma. Prolonged childhood adversity, long-term abuse, and other forms of repeated trauma, typically with additional stabilization and pacing.
- Medical trauma. Difficult birth experiences, cardiac events, ICU stays, and cancer treatment where the physical recovery is complete but psychological residue persists.
- Grief and complicated bereavement. Particularly when a death was sudden, traumatic, or involved preventable circumstances.
- Performance anxiety and specific phobias. Public speaking, flying, medical and dental procedures, and related specific fears.
- Panic and anxiety linked to specific past experiences. When anxiety symptoms are traceable to particular events that set the pattern in motion.
- Depression linked to adverse life experiences. Often used as part of a broader treatment plan rather than as a sole intervention.
EMDR is not first-line for every presentation. A careful assessment identifies when EMDR is the right fit, when a different protocol (such as Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, or Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is better suited, and when EMDR is appropriate only after a stabilization phase is in place.
What We See in Our EMDR Caseload
Three patterns stand out right now. Adults with single-incident traumas that have never fully resolved, often from motor vehicle accidents, medical events, or assaults years earlier, who are finally in a place to address the material directly. These cases often respond well within the typical 6 to 12 session range. Complex and childhood trauma where the EMDR work is only one phase of a longer treatment, with significant time spent on stabilization and resource building before memory processing begins. And healthcare workers, first responders, and educators whose trauma exposure is cumulative rather than event-based, where EMDR is used alongside other interventions to address the material they are carrying from years of work.
We also see a growing number of clients who have done EMDR before, gotten good results on one target memory, and are returning to address additional targets now that they have the bandwidth. EMDR is increasingly being used in this episodic, problem-focused way rather than as a single course of treatment.
A population that often benefits substantially from EMDR is clients whose presenting concern looks like ordinary anxiety or depression but who, on careful assessment, have an identifiable traumatic foundation. When the foundation is addressed with EMDR, the anxiety or depressive symptoms often shift in ways that years of surface-level treatment did not produce.
How EMDR Actually Works
EMDR follows a standardized 8-phase protocol:
- History and treatment planning. Identifying the specific memories and current symptoms that will become the targets of EMDR work.
- Preparation. Building grounding and resource skills, establishing a trusting working relationship, and ensuring the client has the internal stability needed for memory processing.
- Assessment. Selecting the specific target memory, identifying the image, negative belief, emotions, and physical sensations that accompany it, and establishing baseline distress ratings.
- Desensitization. The bilateral stimulation phase. The client holds the memory in mind while following the therapist’s eye movements (or tactile or auditory bilateral stimulation) in short sets, with brief check-ins between sets.
- Installation. Strengthening the new, adaptive belief that emerges as the memory integrates.
- Body scan. Checking for and processing any remaining physical tension associated with the memory.
- Closure. Ensuring each session ends in a stable state, with grounding and resourcing as needed.
- Re-evaluation. At the start of the next session, assessing the stability of the changes and identifying the next target.
Typical Length of EMDR Treatment
For single-incident trauma, EMDR commonly produces meaningful change within 6 to 12 sessions of the active protocol, on top of the initial assessment and preparation phases. For complex or childhood trauma, the full course of treatment is longer, often 16 to 30 or more sessions, with an extended stabilization phase before memory processing. Your clinician will map out a realistic timeline with you at the beginning of the work and will update it as the work progresses.
Clinicians Who Offer EMDR at FPA
Clinicians at FPA with EMDR training include Lisa Averoff, LMHC, Christine Bergman, LMHC, Britney Jenkins, LCSW, and Millie Williams, LCSW. Our intake team will match you with an EMDR clinician whose training and availability fit your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR
Does EMDR really work?
Yes. EMDR is one of the most researched psychotherapy protocols for PTSD, with strong evidence of effectiveness. It is recognized as a first-line treatment by the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, among others.
Do I have to talk about the worst details of what happened?
No. One of the features of EMDR is that it does not require you to describe the event in detail or to relive it in extended verbal form. The work involves holding the memory in mind during the bilateral stimulation rather than narrating it aloud.
How many sessions does EMDR take?
For single-incident trauma, meaningful change often occurs within 6 to 12 sessions of the active EMDR protocol. Complex or childhood trauma generally requires longer treatment (often 16 to 30 or more sessions), typically with a substantial stabilization phase first.
Is EMDR right for me?
EMDR is a strong fit for many trauma presentations, but not every presentation. A careful initial assessment identifies whether EMDR is the right protocol, whether a different trauma approach would fit better, or whether a stabilization phase needs to come first.
Do you offer EMDR by telehealth?
Yes. EMDR can be delivered effectively by telehealth using adapted bilateral stimulation techniques. Your clinician will discuss which setting makes most sense for you.
Can children and teens do EMDR?
EMDR has adapted protocols for children and adolescents. For pediatric trauma work at FPA we also use Trauma-Focused CBT and other child-specific approaches. See our Trauma Resolution page for more on how we approach pediatric trauma.
Do you accept insurance for EMDR?
Several of our clinicians are paneled with major plans, and others are out-of-network. EMDR sessions are billed under standard psychotherapy codes. Our intake team will review your plan before scheduling.
Related Services at FPA
EMDR is one protocol within our broader trauma program. You may also want to look at our pages on trauma resolution, anxiety disorders, depression, postpartum therapy, relationship counseling, and young adult therapy.
Where We See Clients
Family Psychology Associates provides EMDR therapy at our offices in St. Petersburg, Safety Harbor, and Trinity, and by telehealth throughout Florida. To request an appointment, visit our Contact Us page.
Our Clinical Standards
Every clinician at Family Psychology Associates holds a current Florida state license. Our EMDR clinicians hold advanced post-graduate training in the EMDR protocol, and our trauma-focused team includes Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) credentialing. Content on this page reflects clinical approaches currently used by our practice and is reviewed by FPA’s clinical leadership. It is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized clinical consultation.
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