How to Find the Right EMDR Therapist: 5 Things to Know Before Starting EMDR Therapy
Considering EMDR therapy but not sure how to find the right therapist? Choosing an EMDR therapist is an important step in the healing process. In this article, an EMDR therapist shares what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to know if a therapist is the right fit for you.
If you’ve been considering EMDR therapy, you may already know it can be a powerful approach for healing trauma, anxiety, and patterns that keep you feeling stuck. But before therapy even begins, there’s an important step that often gets overlooked: finding the right EMDR therapist for you.
As an EMDR therapist, I often meet people who are ready to begin this work but feel overwhelmed trying to figure out where to start. Searching for a therapist can feel vulnerable and exhausting, especially when you’re already carrying a lot.
The truth is, not every therapist will be the right fit, and that’s okay. Taking the time to find someone who feels supportive, skilled, and aligned with your needs can make a meaningful difference in your therapy experience.
Below are some important things I encourage people to consider when looking for an EMDR therapist.
1. Don’t Skip Consultation Calls
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when searching for a therapist is skipping consultation calls.
Many therapists offer a brief 15-minute consultation call before starting therapy. Ethical therapists usually insist on this because they want to ensure they are the right person to support you.
However, most clients only schedule one consultation call or none at all.
I completely understand why. Scheduling multiple calls takes time, and repeating parts of your story can feel emotionally draining. But these short conversations are incredibly valuable.
Research consistently shows that the strongest predictor of success in therapy is the quality of the relationship between the therapist and the client.
Those 15 minutes allow you to ask yourself important questions:
Do I feel comfortable talking to this person about vulnerable parts of my life?
Do I feel understood and supported?
Is there anything subtle in the interaction that feels off or judgmental?
Ideally, you should schedule two or three consultation calls with different therapists before deciding who to work with.
While it may feel like extra effort in the beginning, it can prevent months of frustration if you realize later that the therapist you chose isn’t the right fit.
Taking a little more time upfront can help ensure you feel safe, supported, and confident moving forward in therapy.
2. Make Sure Your Therapist Is Properly Trained in EMDR
Not all therapists who advertise EMDR have the same level of training.
When looking for an EMDR therapist, one of the most important things to confirm is that the therapist completed their training through an EMDRIA-approved training provider.
EMDRIA (the EMDR International Association) is the professional organization that sets the standards for EMDR training and practice.
Sometimes therapists clearly state this on their website. Other times it isn’t listed. For example, my own website doesn’t currently list my training provider, but I believe in being transparent about this information when clients ask.
Some therapists also pursue EMDRIA Certification, which involves:
Extensive consultation with an EMDR consultant
Additional group supervision
At least 12 hours of advanced EMDR training
I am currently in the process of completing my EMDRIA certification.
While certification is not required to practice EMDR, it demonstrates that the therapist is deeply invested in their EMDR work and committed to continuing their education.
You can also search the EMDRIA therapist directory, which lists therapists trained by EMDRIA-approved providers.
A Red Flag to Watch For
Be cautious of therapists who promise specific outcomes or guaranteed results.
Ethical therapists understand that while the goal of therapy is meaningful and lasting change, none of us can predict exactly how someone’s healing process will unfold.
3. Who Benefits Most From EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy can be helpful for many different experiences, but in my practice I often see it benefit people who are insight-oriented and motivated for change.
Many of my clients have already spent time in talk therapy. They understand their patterns. They can explain why they respond the way they do.
Yet despite that awareness, they still feel stuck.
This is where EMDR can be incredibly helpful.
Rather than focusing only on insight, EMDR works with the brain’s natural ability to reprocess memories and experiences so they no longer carry the same emotional intensity.
EMDR therapy can support people experiencing:
Trauma
OCD
Interpersonal conflict
Life transitions
Postpartum or perinatal challenges
When past experiences lose their emotional charge, people often find themselves responding to life in ways that feel more aligned with who they truly are, rather than reacting from old trauma patterns.
4. Understanding What the EMDR Process Is Really Like
Many people feel nervous about starting EMDR because they’re unsure what the process will feel like.
EMDR therapy follows an eight-phase model, with each phase building on the last. At the same time, the process is highly individualized. Therapists can adapt the protocol based on each person’s needs, strengths, and pace.
One of the most common fears people have is that they will need to repeatedly relive their trauma or talk about painful memories in detail.
The reality is that EMDR does not require you to verbally describe your trauma unless you want to.
Instead, the work often focuses on internal experiences such as emotions, body sensations, and memories. Through bilateral stimulation, the brain is supported in reprocessing those experiences so they lose the emotional charge that once held them in place.
At times, uncomfortable emotions may surface during the process. But by the time clients reach deeper reprocessing phases, we have already spent time building resources and coping skills that help them navigate whatever arises.
In my practice, clients develop a toolbox of resourcing skills before we begin deeper EMDR work. We also practice the process so that when we do move into reprocessing, clients feel prepared and supported.
You are never expected to navigate this work alone.
If you want to learn more about what EMDR feels like, take a look at my blog post about this topic.
5. Nervous System Regulation Is an Important Part of EMDR
Something that is often missing from conversations about EMDR therapy is the role of nervous system regulation.
Throughout our work together, you will learn how your nervous system operates and how to begin building a healthier relationship with it.
Many people who seek trauma therapy have been living in a state of nervous system dysregulation for years, sometimes most of their lives. Because it has become so familiar, it can feel difficult to imagine functioning differently.
One surprising part of nervous system regulation work is that feeling calmer can initially feel uncomfortable.
If your body is used to functioning in a heightened state of stress, regulation may feel unfamiliar or even unsafe at first. When this happens, some people start wondering whether therapy is working.
In reality, this can be part of the adjustment process.
Over time, as the nervous system becomes more familiar with regulation, it begins to feel safer and more natural. Therapy provides the support and tools needed to help integrate this new experience.
Therapy Is a Brave Commitment
Choosing to begin therapy, especially trauma work is not always easy.
There will be moments when the process feels challenging. Real healing requires patience, support, and the willingness to stay engaged even when things feel difficult.
I deeply admire the courage it takes for clients to invest in themselves and their healing.
What I can assure you is that in therapy with me, you will not have to navigate this journey alone. You will have guidance, tools, and support every step of the way.
EMDR Therapy in New York
If you’re located in New York and searching for an EMDR therapist, finding someone who feels both clinically skilled and personally supportive can make a meaningful difference in your healing process.
In my practice, I work with individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, life transitions, interpersonal challenges, and postpartum or perinatal experiences. My approach integrates EMDR therapy with nervous system regulation work, helping clients develop both insight and practical tools that support lasting change.
If you’re considering EMDR therapy and wondering whether it might be a good fit for you, a consultation call can be a helpful first step.
Ready to Begin EMDR Therapy?
If you’re considering EMDR therapy and wondering whether it might be the right fit for you, the next step is often simply starting the conversation.
I offer 15-minute consultation calls for prospective clients so we can explore whether working together feels like a good fit for both of us. During this call, you’re welcome to ask questions about the EMDR process, therapy in general, or anything else that feels important to you.
Finding the right therapist matters. You deserve to work with someone who feels supportive, safe, and aligned with your healing goals.
If you feel ready to take the next step, I invite you to reach out and schedule a consultation.
Healing is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy
How do I know if an EMDR therapist is qualified?
Look for therapists trained through an EMDRIA-approved training program. Some therapists also pursue EMDRIA certification, which involves additional consultation and advanced training.
Do I have to talk about my trauma in EMDR therapy?
No. EMDR therapy does not require you to describe traumatic experiences in detail unless you want to. The process focuses more on internal sensations, emotions, and memory processing.
How long does EMDR therapy take?
The length of EMDR therapy varies depending on the person and the experiences being processed. Some people notice meaningful shifts within a few sessions, while others engage in EMDR over a longer period of time.
How to Know If EMDR Therapy Might Be Right for You
EMDR therapy can be especially helpful if you:
• Feel stuck in patterns despite having insight into them
• Notice strong emotional reactions that feel bigger than the situation
• Struggle with anxiety, trauma, or intrusive memories
• Feel like talk therapy alone hasn’t fully shifted the issue
• Want to work with both the mind and the nervous system
EMDR therapy helps the brain reprocess experiences so they no longer carry the same emotional charge. Over time, many people notice they feel less reactive, more regulated, and more aligned with who they truly are.
By Lisa Slone, LCSW-R | EMDR Therapist
