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.
EMDR therapy, at a glance
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.
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.
We love Amanda! It's been over a month- seeing positive results
Parent of an 11 year old
1 hour ago
Amanda Crabtree, LMHC
Evelyn said she was really happy with the session.
Parent of a 9 year old
6 hours ago
Dr. Maritza Rodriguez, LPC-S, CCST
I like the fact that she suggested that we should do ADHD testing and I like that she was asking him questions that were making him think a little about his answers. It was very helpful and it sparked discussion for us afterwards
Parent of a 12 year old
7 hours ago
Shannon Anes, PMHNP
I love Quenton Kayd! I’ve had 18 sessions with him and he has helped me so much! He also takes the time to see things from my perspective and it means so much!
An Adult client
10 hours ago
Quenton Kayd, LPC
Ann is an excellent therapist. She’s been helping my daughter through her anxiety and her thoughtful and insightful guidance has had a meaningful impact on my daughter and managing her anxiety.
Parent of an 11 year old
23 hours ago
Ann Marie Driver, LCMHC-A
She’s very charismatic and easy to talk to. My daughter told me she likes her
Parent of a 13 year old
1 day ago
Katherine Vasquez Lugo, RMHCI
Catherine was warm and welcoming!
Parent of a 10 year old
1 day ago
Catherine Campos, LCSW
My therapist was absolutely amazing I already can tell she is going to help me a lot!
An Adult client
1 day ago
Laura Doocy, LPC-A
Milton is very understanding and listened to my son rattle on and on lol and they're was no rush.
Parent of an 11 year old
1 day ago
Milton Hernandez, LPC
JoeAnn Allen gave us key ways to handle some problems, we appreciate her very much
Parent of a 14 year old
1 day ago
JoeAnn Allen, RMHCI
Rating on behalf of my daughter. She's always in a better mood when she talks with Korina! ✨
Parent of a 14 year old
1 day ago
Korina Herrera, LMHC
My son connects so well with Nathalie. He was skeptical at first now he sets up 10 mind before the session in anticipation for their talk time.
Parent of a 10 year old
2 days ago
Nathalie Fernandez Mendez, LCMHC-A, LMHC
Richard was excellent during my child´s session today. He was very informative, attentive, and truly focused on our specific needs. You can tell he genuinely cares and takes the time to listen and understand. We’re looking forward to future appointments and seeing growth with his support.
Parent of a 6 year old
2 days ago
Richard Reyes, LPC-Associate
The coping mechanism you gave me felt extremely helpful
An Adult client
2 days ago
Marise Jimenez, RMHCI
Very attentive and caring. Took the time out to help us find the right therapist.
Parent of a 16 year old
2 days ago
Jennifer Guzman, LPC
great person easy to talk to. very attentive.
An Adult client
2 days ago
Dr. Joel Bell, PsyD
Sarah is incredible with my 7 year old. So great at building rapport and bringing in coping strategies.
Parent of a 7 year old
2 days ago
Sarah Newton, LMSW
Helped my child open up and feel more self confidence
Parent of a 6 year old
2 days ago
Korina Herrera, 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.
