Woman in a green cardigan taking notes during an online EMDR therapy session on her laptop in a calm living room

EMDR Therapy in Arizona: Does Online EMDR Work?

ByAmsara Team
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Key facts at a glance

If you are looking for EMDR therapy in Arizona, you may be wondering whether it can work through a screen. The short answer: EMDR is one of the best-studied therapies for post-traumatic stress, and early research on online EMDR is encouraging, though it is not yet as robust as the research on in-person care.

What is EMDR therapy and how does it work?

EMDR is a structured psychotherapy in which you briefly hold a distressing memory in mind while following a form of bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movements or alternating taps. The goal is to help the brain reprocess the memory so it feels less charged and more like something that happened in the past, rather than something still happening now.

EMDR follows eight defined phases, as outlined by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA):

  1. History taking: your counselor learns your story, goals, and current supports.
  2. Preparation: you build calming and grounding skills before any memory work begins.
  3. Assessment: you identify a target memory, the image, the negative belief attached to it, and body sensations.
  4. Desensitization: you focus on the memory during short sets of bilateral stimulation.
  5. Installation: a more helpful belief is strengthened.
  6. Body scan: you notice and process any remaining physical tension.
  7. Closure: each session ends with steps to help you feel settled.
  8. Reassessment: the next session checks progress and chooses what to work on next.

According to the VA National Center for PTSD, each set of bilateral stimulation typically involves 20 to 40 back-and-forth movements, and EMDR for PTSD is often delivered in weekly sessions of up to 90 minutes over roughly three months. Your own timeline depends on your history and goals.

Is EMDR evidence-based? What do the WHO, VA/DoD, and APA guidelines say?

Yes, for PTSD. EMDR appears in several major clinical guidelines for post-traumatic stress disorder, though the strength of the recommendation differs by organization.

GuidelineWhat it says about EMDR
World Health Organization, 2013Trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, or stress management "should be considered for adults with PTSD" (standard recommendation; moderate-quality evidence for EMDR).
VA/DoD, 2023Strong recommendation for individual, manualized trauma-focused psychotherapies for PTSD: cognitive processing therapy, EMDR, or prolonged exposure.
American Psychological Association, 2025 updateEMDR receives a conditional recommendation for adults with PTSD.

A conditional recommendation means the panel found benefit but judged the evidence less certain than for a strong recommendation. Experts weigh the same research differently, so a thoughtful counselor will discuss options rather than present one therapy as the only path.

Does virtual EMDR work as well as in-person EMDR?

Early research suggests online EMDR can meaningfully reduce trauma-related distress, but the evidence is still developing. Most remote EMDR studies so far are small and lack comparison groups, so they show promise rather than proof of equivalence.

  • A 2024 systematic review in Frontiers in Psychiatry (Kaptan, Kaya, and Akan) analyzed 16 studies with 1,231 participants and reported significant improvement in PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms. The authors also noted small samples, few control groups, and heavy reliance on self-reported measures; only 3 of the 16 studies reported checking treatment fidelity.
  • A 2021 survey of German EMDR therapists covering 102 videoconference sessions with 76 patients found that distress ratings dropped by an average of 73.1% within sessions. Unstable internet connections were the most common barrier, reported by 37.5% of therapists.
  • A 2022 pilot study of 24 frontline mental health workers in the United Kingdom found that reductions in distress after a single videoconference EMDR session held at one-month and six-month follow-up. The authors caution that the sample was non-clinical and there was no control group.

The takeaway: virtual EMDR is a reasonable, research-informed option for many adults, and it works best with a trained clinician, a stable connection, and a private space.

What conditions is EMDR used for?

EMDR is best supported for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. Clinicians also use it for anxiety, grief, distressing life events, and depression linked to difficult experiences, but the research for those uses is less mature.

  • PTSD and single-incident trauma (accidents, medical trauma, assaults): strongest evidence and guideline support.
  • Repeated or childhood trauma: often treated with EMDR, usually with a longer preparation phase.
  • Anxiety and panic: emerging evidence; remote studies above reported anxiety improvements.
  • Grief and loss: used clinically; fewer rigorous trials.

If your main concern is not trauma, ask what the evidence shows for your situation and what other approaches might fit.

What does an online EMDR session look like?

An online EMDR session happens over secure video, with bilateral stimulation delivered on screen or by you. Your counselor guides every step, checks in often, and closes each session with grounding.

The VA National Center for PTSD lists several forms of bilateral stimulation, including following a visual target with the eyes, tactile tappers, self-tapping, auditory tones through headphones, and apps or websites that guide eye movements. In a telehealth session, that commonly means:

  • Visual tracking: following a moving dot or light bar on your screen.
  • Self-tapping: alternately tapping your knees or shoulders, sometimes crossing your arms in what is often called a butterfly hug.
  • Audio tones: alternating sounds through headphones.

To prepare, choose a private room, use a laptop or tablet if possible, and wear headphones. Your counselor will also plan what to do if the connection drops mid-session.

Who may not be a good fit for EMDR right away?

Most adults can do EMDR, but some people need more stabilization first. A careful counselor will not begin memory reprocessing until you have reliable ways to calm your body and stay present.

Extra preparation, a slower pace, or a different approach may be wise if you:

  • Experience significant dissociation, such as losing time or feeling detached from yourself or your surroundings.
  • Are in an unstable or unsafe living situation, or are in active crisis.
  • Have active substance use that makes it hard to stay grounded.
  • Have a medical or neurological condition your medical provider should weigh in on first.

That is why the preparation phase exists. If you are in crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.

Can EMDR help midlife women with anxiety and life transitions?

It can be part of the picture. Midlife often brings loss, caregiving, and career shifts, and EMDR is one tool a counselor may use to process memories that keep feeding anxiety.

Hormonal change also matters. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis in the Journal of Affective Disorders, pooling seven cohort studies with 9,141 women, found that perimenopausal women had about 40% higher odds of depressive symptoms or a depression diagnosis than premenopausal women (odds ratio 1.40), while postmenopausal women did not show a significant increase.

That does not mean EMDR treats perimenopause or that every mood change is hormonal. It means sleep and hormone shifts deserve a medical look alongside counseling. See our perimenopause symptoms guide.

How do I verify an EMDR therapist in Arizona?

Check two things: the counselor’s state license and their EMDR training. A license shows they can legally provide counseling in Arizona; EMDR training shows they have learned this specific method.

How does Amsara Health approach EMDR therapy in Arizona?

Amsara Health is a concierge integrative telehealth practice based in Scottsdale, serving adults across Arizona. We offer counseling and EMDR by telehealth, coordinated with medical care so your emotional health and physical health are not treated in separate silos.

EMDR at Amsara is provided by Shaheen Neil, JD, MA, LAC, a Licensed Associate Counselor who practices under clinical supervision as Arizona rules require. Shaheen holds an MC in Psychology from ASU, is trained in EMDR, takes a trauma-informed approach focused on women’s issues, life transitions, and couples, and holds a certificate in psychosocial oncology.

When poor sleep, hot flashes, or energy changes are part of what you are carrying, our medical providers can evaluate whether hormone testing or treatment is appropriate for you. Your provider will determine what fits, and no therapy can guarantee a specific result.

On cost: EMDR sessions can run longer than standard therapy hours, and prices vary by practice. Amsara Health is direct-pay and does not take commercial insurance; if you have out-of-network benefits, ask your plan what it may reimburse. For current rates, see our pricing page or ask during a discovery call.

Learn more about care for women, care for men, Shaheen Neil, and pricing, or book a discovery call to ask whether EMDR is a fit for you.

Frequently asked questions

Does online EMDR therapy work?

Early research is encouraging. A 2024 systematic review of 16 remote EMDR studies with 1,231 participants found significant improvements in PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms, but most studies were small and lacked control groups, so more rigorous trials are still needed.

Is EMDR therapy available by telehealth in Arizona?

Yes. Amsara Health offers EMDR by telehealth to adults who are physically located in Arizona during sessions, provided by Shaheen Neil, JD, MA, LAC, who practices under clinical supervision as Arizona rules require.

How many EMDR sessions will I need?

It varies. The VA National Center for PTSD notes that EMDR for PTSD is often delivered weekly over about three months, but people with repeated or complex trauma usually need more preparation and more sessions.

Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail during EMDR?

Usually not in full detail. You identify a target memory and notice what comes up during bilateral stimulation, and your counselor checks in briefly between sets rather than asking for a lengthy retelling.

Is EMDR safe for everyone?

Most adults can do EMDR safely with a trained clinician, but people with significant dissociation, active crisis, or unstable circumstances typically need stabilization first. Your counselor will assess readiness before any memory reprocessing begins.

Does Amsara Health take insurance for EMDR?

Amsara Health is a direct-pay practice and does not take commercial insurance. You can ask your plan about out-of-network reimbursement, and current rates are available on the pricing page or during a discovery call.

If mood, sleep, and stress feel tangled up with hormonal changes, our guide to perimenopause care in Arizona explains how medical and emotional support can work together.

Sources

This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Talk with a licensed provider about your specific situation.

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