emdr therapy costTakeaway: Cost is one of the biggest factors influencing which therapy provider you work with or if you pursue therapy as an option for mental health treatment. When you branch out into more specialized types of therapy like EMDR, sessions can get even more expensive. EMDR treatment is highly effective, but is it worth it for the cost? In this blog, I’ll explain what EMDR therapy is and how much you can expect to pay for it in Santa Clarita.  

Whether you’re struggling to cope with childhood trauma or have been newly diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it’s not easy. 

What starts as a bad day can turn into a bad week or month after traumatic events, and it can seem like no matter how hard you try, things aren’t getting better—but there is hope. 

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is one way to heal and find peace.

EMDR treatment is a specialized form of trauma therapy that helps people process and integrate traumatic memories, reducing their distressing effects. EMDR therapy utilizes bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, to activate the brain’s natural processing mechanisms, promoting reprocessing and integration of traumatic experiences.

Starting EMDR therapy is a new chapter in your journey toward finding mental health services that can help you heal from trauma. But aside from the natural excitement about trying something different, it’s normal to have some anxiety about out-of-pocket costs. How much will EMDR therapy cost you? Is it even a treatment option that’s feasible for your budget? 

Let’s explore more about the cost of EMDR therapy and whether or not it’s a good fit for you. 

How much is EMDR therapy in California?

The cost of EMDR therapy can make or break your experience with it. The last thing you want is to complete your initial assessments with an EMDR therapist, only to find out that the cost of multiple sessions is more than you can afford. You deserve to be informed of all aspects of your treatment plan, including the overall cost of EMDR therapy. 

To give you a better idea of how much EMDR therapy will cost in your area, we researched the prices of different EMDR therapists in Santa Clarita and the surrounding cities. 

Below are the average rates of 25 different mental health professionals across. Use these as a starting point to help you decide if EMDR therapy is in your budget. 

City in California Average cost of an EMDR session
Los Angeles (LA) $210
Bakersfield $140
Ventura $170
Anaheim $180
San Fernando $160
Santa Clarita $195

Remember, every therapist charges a different rate based on their certifications and years of experience providing mental health treatment. 

Some EMDR therapists offer sliding scale fees, where the cost of EMDR therapy is based on your income. 

Why do EMDR therapy sessions cost more than traditional therapies? 

how much is emdr therapy

You may notice that EMDR therapy sessions cost more than traditional therapy sessions. 

That’s because becoming an EMDR therapist involves advanced training in eye motion desensitization techniques, such as administering bilateral stimulation and teaching specific coping skills that complement the eight phases of EMDR therapy. 

These continuing education courses, along with other expenses like overhead costs and the therapist’s experience, are only some of several factors that influence the higher fees you may see for EMDR therapy. The length of your session also sometimes impacts the price. 

Will my insurance policy cover EMDR? 

If self-pay isn’t an option, don’t panic. 

EMDR is typically covered by most insurance companies, but the amount of coverage may vary depending on your policy and insurance provider. 

Since it’s considered an evidence-based approach, most insurance plans recognize it as an effective treatment for reducing PTSD symptoms. 

Some insurance policies may cover a limited number of EMDR sessions, while others may require a copayment (your out-of-pocket cost) or coinsurance for each session. 

Intake assessments may also cost less than follow-up sessions, but again, this also depends on the specifics of your policy. 

Before you schedule an appointment with a provider, check with your insurance company to figure out the specifics of your coverage, including the EMDR cost. 

Mental health professionals, including EMDR therapists with specialized training, can also help you verify your benefits and see if insurance is a payment option for you.

Do we accept insurance? 

Yes! We accept the following insurance policies: 

  • Lyra Health (EAP)
  • United Healthcare
  • Oxford Health Plans
  • Aetna
  • UMR
  • Oscar
  • UHC Student Resources
  • All Savers UHC
  • Harvard Pilgrim
  • Meritain
  • Nippon

Is EMDR therapy worth it? 

For many therapists and trauma survivors alike, the answer to this question is an easy yes. 

While everyone’s EMDR therapy experience will vary based on their trauma history, daily life, and rapport with their therapist, many people report feeling changes as soon as the first session. 

Here are a few reasons why we think EMDR therapy is worth the investment. 

It’s versatile. 

EMDR therapy is versatile and can be adapted to different settings and needs. 

Many EMDR therapists offer online therapy, making this type of therapy more accessible since there aren’t as many EMDR-certified providers as there are general therapists. 

Online therapy gives everyone a chance to experience EMDR, which can be especially helpful for those with anxiety disorders or other mental health conditions.

It teaches you to manage your triggers. 

EMDR therapy helps you manage triggers by processing traumatic memories and reducing their distressing effects. You can’t always predict when triggers will happen, making it hard to deal with distressing memories. 

However, with EMDR, your therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation and other techniques to help you cope with triggers and develop better coping mechanisms. 

It helps improve your overall well-being.

When you invest in improving your mental health through EMDR therapy, you’re investing in your overall well-being. EMDR therapy ranges from treating trauma and anxiety disorders to improving relationships and daily functioning. 

By addressing traumatic memories and reducing their impact, EMDR therapy can lead to improved mental health, relationships, and daily life. 

The cost of EMDR therapy varies depending on factors like location and therapist experience, but the benefits can be life-changing.

Find relief with an EMDR therapist in Santa Clarita

emdr cost per session If you’re struggling with the aftermath of experienced traumatic events, know that healing is possible. At Healing Blue, our EMDR therapists are dedicated to helping you find peace and recovery. 

We understand that seeking treatment is a big step for many, which is why we offer a free 20-minute phone consultation to discuss your needs and answer questions about EMDR therapy. 

We also offer 120-minute EMDR sessions for clients wanting to process a specific negative experience. Our therapists will work with you to determine the number of sessions needed to achieve optimal results. 

Remember, the cost of EMDR therapy remains an investment in your mental health and well-being. Don’t let trauma hold you back any longer. Call us at 818.945.9075 to schedule a consult or your first appointment for EMDR treatment today.