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.
teens, & families
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.
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.
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.
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.
The 8 phases of EMDR
How treatment progresses for children and teens.
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
What EMDR treats
Trauma and beyond, with growing evidence.
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.
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.
Notice a difference in my child
Parent of a 14 year old
Jun 7, 2026
Katia Torres, LCSW
My daughter said it was very good. They were able to talk about alot of stuff and it was fun.
Parent of a 9 year old
Jun 7, 2026
Elsie Peña, LPC
The testing process for my child with Dr. Bunker went really well. Just like how she explained it would go.
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Dr. Nacona Bunker, PsyD
Korina has been very helpful with the therapy process for my child.
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Korina Herrera, LMHC
Korina is very patient even when my child is having a difficult time with the therapy session.
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Korina Herrera, LMHC
This was our initial visit with Dr. Bunker. She did a great job with explaining how the process would go. She also had great interaction with my child during the visit.
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Dr. Nacona Bunker, PsyD
Korina has been doing a great job with helping my child!
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Korina Herrera, LMHC
She was really extensive and didn’t leave anything out.
An Adult client
Jun 6, 2026
Dr. Apree Clicque, PsyD
The session was great! All of our concerns were addressed, we felt very heard, and it was an overall great experience
Parent of a 10 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Deann Harrison, PMHNP-BC
Ms Richardson took her time to listen to my son's perspective and concerns as well as my own. She is open-minded and patient. We appreciated her help today
Parent of a 15 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Runako Richardson, PMHNP
When she allowed both of us to speak and explained the next steps for our meeting in the future that was great . Thank you.
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Korina Herrera, LMHC
My daughter feels Dr. Jon has helped her more than any of her previous therapists. He does a great job with her.
Parent of a 10 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Dr. Jon Skidmore, PsyD
Dr. Williams truly gets me and he makes me feel like I can take care of myself without having to worry about it.
An Adult client
Jun 5, 2026
Franklin Williams, LCMHC
Navigating a separation from my spouse including children. Victoria does a great job helping us work through and process this.
An Adult client
Jun 5, 2026
Victoria Coffman, LPC-A
Elise is going above and beyond to understand my daughter so she can help her in the best way possible.
Parent of an 11 year old
Jun 5, 2026
Elise McDonald, LPC
Catherine was kind, empathetic, and a great listener. She balanced hearing our thoughts as parents while also ensuring our child was heard and valued.
Parent of a 12 year old
Jun 5, 2026
Catherine Campos, LCSW
So kind and a great listener. She has great patience with him.
Parent of a 10 year old
Jun 4, 2026
Erica Richardson, LCSW
My daughter instantly connected! She’s very excited to work with her
Parent of a 13 year old
Jun 4, 2026
Brianna Doran, LMHC
Healing doesn't require reliving every detail
EMDR helps your child's brain process what happened so the past stops controlling the present.
Not sure where to start? Book a clinical matching session.
