Not every therapist does EMDR. And not every therapist who says they do EMDR has the right training. So finding someone actually qualified takes a little more effort than just searching “therapist near me.”

Here’s how to find someone good.

Psychology Today is probably the biggest therapist directory out there. You can filter by treatment type and select EMDR as a specialty. The downside is that therapists self report their specialties, so you’ll still need to ask about their training.

EMDRIA, the EMDR International Association, also has a directory. Therapists listed there have completed approved training programs. But the directory costs money for therapists to join, so plenty of qualified EMDR therapists aren’t in it. Don’t assume someone isn’t well trained just because they’re not on the EMDRIA site.

Your insurance company’s provider directory is another option. You can usually search by specialty or call and ask specifically for EMDR trained therapists in network.

Google works too. Search for EMDR therapist plus your city or area. For example,if you’re in Philadelphia, just search “EMDR Therapy Philadelphia“. Look at the websites that come up. A therapist who specializes in EMDR will usually talk about it prominently on their site, mention their training, and explain how they use it.

If you already have a therapist, they might know EMDR specialists they trust. Therapists refer to each other all the time. Even if your current therapist doesn’t do EMDR, they probably know someone who does.

Same goes for your primary care doctor or psychiatrist. They often have referral networks and can point you toward someone with solid training.

However you find potential therapists, you need to verify their training yourself. Here’s what to ask.

Did you complete an EMDRIA approved training program. How many hours of training did you complete. Have you done consultation hours with an approved consultant. How long have you been practicing EMDR and roughly how many people have you used it with.

Proper EMDR training is at least 50 hours, usually split into two parts with practice time in between. The training should include live supervision where the therapist practices on real people, not just watched videos.

A well trained EMDR therapist will answer these questions easily. They’ll tell you where they trained and be specific about their experience. If someone gets defensive or vague, keep looking.

EMDR sessions are often longer than traditional therapy sessions. Some therapists do 90 minute sessions for EMDR work. This can affect cost and insurance coverage.

Before you book, ask the therapist’s office whether they take your insurance and whether EMDR sessions are covered at a different rate than standard therapy. Some insurance plans cover EMDR the same as any other therapy. Others have limitations.

EMDR can be done through video sessions. The bilateral stimulation works differently online. Instead of following a therapist’s finger, you might watch a dot moving across your screen or use self tapping guided by your therapist.

Research shows online EMDR is effective. If there aren’t many EMDR trained therapists in your area, or if you prefer the convenience of virtual sessions, this opens up a lot more options. You can work with a therapist anywhere in your state as long as they’re licensed there.

We have a separate article on whether EMDR therapy can be done online if you want to know more about how that works.

Training matters, but so does fit. EMDR involves working on some of your most painful memories. You need to feel safe with your therapist.

If something feels off during the consultation call, it’s okay to keep looking. The therapeutic relationship is part of what makes EMDR work. You’re going to share things you might not have told anyone. That requires trust.

Your first session won’t involve any trauma processing anyway. It’s just about getting to know each other and making sure EMDR is right for your situation. But you should feel comfortable enough to imagine eventually doing that work with this person.

We offer in-person EMDR therapy at our Philadelphia and Haddonfield offices, with online sessions available for clients anywhere in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

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