EMDR therapy for kids, teens, & young adults

Process hard memories without having to talk about every detail

EMDR helps the brain heal from stuck memories that cause anxiety and nightmares. Usually takes fewer sessions than talking therapy.

Insurance accepted. Appointments often available within days.

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teens, & families

Trusted by 5,000+ kids, teens, & families

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EMDR therapy, at a glance

86% recover

Children with single-event trauma no longer meet PTSD criteria after EMDR, per randomized controlled trials.

4-6 sessions

Often sufficient for single-event trauma in children. One of the most efficient trauma treatments for young people.

WHO-endorsed

Recommended by the World Health Organization, American Psychological Association, and the VA.

What is EMDR?

How eye movement desensitization and reprocessing works.

An adult woman and a young child are smiling and looking at a laptop together at a table. The woman holds a pen and a notebook, suggesting an interactive or learning moment in a bright, indoor setting.

Father and young daughter in virtual therapy session

A smiling teen is comfortably sitting and using a laptop in a bright indoor space with large windows. The mood is relaxed and focused as they engage with their computer, with an iced drink visible nearby.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a proven therapy that helps the brain heal from hard or traumatic memories that feel stuck and keep causing pain.

During EMDR, the therapist guides the child through side-to-side movements (eye movements, tapping, or sounds) while thinking about the hard memory. This helps the brain naturally heal and store the memory in a new way, without the big feeling tied to it.

EMDR was made by Dr. Francine Shapiro. It has been studied for over 30 years. EMDRIA trains and okays therapists who use this approach.

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Evidence-Based

Backed by clinical research and validated outcomes.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a proven therapy that helps the brain heal from hard or traumatic memories that feel stuck and keep causing pain.

EMDR was made by Dr. Francine Shapiro. It has been studied for over 30 years. EMDRIA trains and okays therapists who use this approach.

Learn More

The 8 phases of EMDR

How treatment progresses for children and teens.

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Getting Ready & Looking at What's Needed
- Building safety and trust with the therapist
- Learning ways to cope and calm yourself
- Finding key memories and what sets them off
- Making a plan with clear goals
Healing & Processing
- Side-to-side movements while thinking about the memory
- Letting the brain do its natural healing work
- Making the memory feel less scary and painful
- Building new, better beliefs about yourself and safety
Child-Adapted Techniques
- Storytelling and narrative approaches for young children
- Butterfly hug (self-administered bilateral stimulation)
- Drawing and art-based processing
- Game-based EMDR protocols for engagement
Closure & Re-evaluation
- Ensuring stability at end of each session
- Tracking progress between sessions
- Evaluating whether reprocessing is complete
- Building future-oriented resilience skills

How EMDR helps

What the research shows for young people.

Heals hard memories often faster than talking therapy
Reduces PTSD, including nightmares and flashbacks
Lowers anxiety and emotional reactions
Doesn't need kids to describe the trauma in detail
Works for single events and long-term trauma
Improvements last long after therapy ends

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What EMDR treats

Trauma and beyond, with growing evidence.

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Trauma & PTSD
- Single-event trauma (accidents, witnessing violence)
- Complex trauma (ongoing abuse, neglect)
- Medical trauma (surgeries, hospitalizations)
- Grief and traumatic loss
Anxiety & Distress
- Phobias and specific fears
- Performance anxiety
- Distressing life events
- Attachment-related anxiety

Why families choose Emora for EMDR

Specialized EMDR vs. general providers.

General providers

EMDRIA-certified or EMDRIA-trained therapists

Therapists may have little EMDR training

EMDR ways made fit for kids

Adult methods used on kids without changes

Online EMDR with proven methods

Little online EMDR know-how

Blending with other proven therapies

EMDR used alone without room to shift

Focused training in kids' trauma

General trauma knowledge, not for kids

Get started in minutes

Three simple steps to connect with the right clinician.

1
Share what's going on
Tell us about your child's experiences and what you're noticing.
2
Verify coverage
See insurance estimates and available appointment times.
3
Start therapy
Meet your matched EMDR therapist and begin the healing process.

Find Care

Frequently asked questions

What parents and young adults ask most about EMDR.

EMDR works with kids as young as 2-3 years old, with changes for their age. It's most common for kids 6 and up, teens, and young adults. Therapists shift the method to match what kids are ready for at each age.

No. One big plus of EMDR is that kids don't have to tell the bad event in detail. The therapist guides while the child briefly thinks about the memory during the side-to-side movements.

For one bad event, many kids see real change in 4 to 6 sessions. Long-term or multiple traumas may take 8 to 12 or more sessions. Your therapist will make a plan just for your child.

Yes. EMDR is seen as safe and works well for kids by the World Health Group and the American Psychology group. Trained therapists follow strict safety steps.

Yes. Research shows online EMDR works using tapping, sounds, or eye movements on screen. Many kids feel safer working from home.

Real stories of growth

Every session is rated by parents. Our therapists maintain a 4.9+ average, because results matter.

Ms. Anes understood exactly where we were coming from and how to help us when it came to our daughter. Totally recommend her!!

Parent of a 9 year old

6 hours ago

Provider:

Shannon Anes, PMHNP

Amazing! My daughter gets so happy when it is a therapy day. Ms. Christi has made my daughter so comfortable and provides a safe place for her to be open and honest, free of judgement. I am so grateful that she is my child's therapist.

Parent of a 9 year old

8 hours ago

Provider:

Christi Ford, LPC-A

TaKayah is awesome! Feels like talking to a friend.

An Adult client

10 hours ago

Provider:

Takahya Mcintyre, LCSW

Laquana is the best of the best!

Parent of a 7 year old

11 hours ago

Provider:

Laquana Richmond, LCMHC LPC LMHC LCAS CCS

Mrs. Katie is such a blessing. Thank you.

Parent of an 8 year old

13 hours ago

Provider:

Katie Jones, CPNP-PC, PMHNP-BC

I think just hearing the confirmation was a bit challenging as well as emotional. I love the Drs kindness and patience, it’s something I don’t get to experience often. I like the descriptions provided in the paperwork as well.

An Adult client

19 hours ago