Trauma therapy that has the evidence behind it
Trauma symptoms aren’t a character flaw or weakness. They’re how the brain responds to events it couldn’t fully process at the time. The good news: trauma can be supported with therapy mental health conditions when the right therapy is applied.
EMDR — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing — is one of the most-studied therapies in the field, formally recommended for PTSD by the World Health Organization, American Psychiatric Association, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Several of our clinicians are EMDRIA-trained and we offer same-week intake. Call (631) 371-2718.
What kinds of trauma we treat
- Single-event trauma — accidents, assaults, medical events, sudden loss
- Complex trauma — repeated childhood neglect or abuse, long-term relational trauma
- PTSD — full diagnostic syndrome with intrusion symptoms, avoidance, mood changes, hyperarousal
- Subthreshold trauma symptoms — when “something happened” but you don’t meet PTSD criteria, yet symptoms are interfering
- Vicarious trauma — for first responders, clinicians, journalists exposed to others’ trauma
- Birth trauma — emotional aftermath of childbirth events
- Medical trauma — diagnosis events, surgeries, ICU experiences
- Grief stuck in trauma — when loss has become traumatic
How EMDR works (briefly)
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — typically guided eye movements, sometimes alternating taps or sounds — while you focus on a distressing memory. The bilateral stimulation appears to help your brain reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional charge.
It’s not hypnosis. You’re fully conscious, fully in control, and able to stop at any time.
Eight phases: history taking → preparation/skills → assessment → desensitization (the core processing) → installation (positive belief) → body scan → closure → re-evaluation.
EMDR has helped many people with PTSD.
What if EMDR isn’t right for me?
EMDR is one tool. We also use:
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) — strong evidence for PTSD, particularly when the person prefers a more cognitive/structured approach.
Trauma-Focused CBT — first-line treatment for kids and teens with PTSD.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) — for complex trauma and dissociative symptoms.
Somatic approaches — body-aware therapies for when trauma is held physically (chronic tension, dissociation).
Your therapist will assess what fits.
When EMDR isn’t a starting point
EMDR works best when you have stable enough life circumstances to handle processing. People in active crisis, with active substance dependence, severe dissociation, or unstable life circumstances usually need stabilization first.
A trained EMDR clinician will assess this with you. Sometimes the work is months of stabilization before processing begins.
Insurance we accept
In-network with:
- Aetna
- Cigna
- UnitedHealthcare
- Oxford
- Northwell Direct
EMDR is covered like any other psychotherapy modality under these plans. Typical copay $20-$40 per session.
What to expect after a session
EMDR sessions can be tiring. You may feel emotionally drained or unusually tired afterward. Some people have vivid dreams or unexpected memories surfacing in the days following. This is normal and usually resolves within a few days.
Your therapist will give you grounding techniques. If something feels overwhelming, the answer is to use those techniques and contact your therapist.
Telehealth EMDR
Yes — adapted EMDR protocols using bilateral audio cues and visual cues work well via telehealth. Outcomes are comparable to in-person for most patients.
Ready to start? Call (631) 371-2718.
Same-week intake. In-person at our Southampton office or via telehealth across all of New York State.
If you’re in crisis, call 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room.
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