EMDR Therapy in New York City
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed specifically to treat trauma, phobias and other forms of distress. It is one of the most extensively researched trauma treatments in the world, recognized by trusted organizations such as the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
At ParityWell, our trained EMDR therapists in NYC offer this approach in person near Central Park and Lincoln Square in Midtown Manhattan and online for adults across New York State, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Comprehensive Assessments From Day One
We believe it’s the therapist’s responsibility to identify what’s present, not the client’s responsibility to know what to ask for. At the same time, we deeply value your preferences and align treatment with your goals. At the same time, we take our lead from you and consider your goals, your pace, and what you're actually looking to get from therapy to shape every treatment decision we make.
At ParityWell, every client receives a thorough clinical assessment at the start of treatment, regardless of what brings them in. We screen all clients for trauma, anxiety, OCD, and ADHD. This assessment helps us identify when and how EMDR will be most useful, and how it should be integrated with other approaches. We always work with you and will make sure support is tailored to your goals and preferences. We believe you are the expert in your own life.
You’ll leave your first appointment with clarity about what’s going on and what an effective, tailored treatment plan looks like.
What Is EMDR?
EMDR helps your brain process experiences that feel stuck.
Sometimes difficult events do not fully resolve. They stay active in your system and may continue to shape how you feel, react, and think. EMDR helps the brain finish processing negative or traumatic experiences so they no longer carry the same emotional weight.
During an EMDR session, you briefly bring a memory to mind while following a form of bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or tapping. Over time, the memory becomes less overwhelming and easier to face.
How EMDR Therapy Works
EMDR follows a structured, step-by-step process. You don’t have to remember it; your ParityWell therapist will guide you.
Here is a simple overview of how it works:
Getting the full picture: We start by understanding your history and what you want help with. This helps us decide what to focus on.
Building stability: Before any processing, we make sure you feel grounded and have tools to manage stress between sessions.
Choosing what to work on: Together, we identify specific memories, along with the thoughts and feelings connected to it. Sometimes people have trouble remembering trauma. Instead of a memory, we can also use an idea, a concept or a feeling. EMDR is flexible.
Processing the memory: This is the core of EMDR. You briefly bring the memory to mind while following bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping. Over time, the intensity begins to shift.
Strengthening new beliefs: As the memory becomes less distressing, we help reinforce more helpful and accurate beliefs about yourself.
Checking the body: We notice whether any physical tension or discomfort is still connected to the memory and continue processing if needed.
Ending the session safely: Each session ends with grounding so you leave feeling stable and supported.
Reviewing progress: At the start of the next session, we check what has changed and decide what to focus on next. We assess change each time to ensure EMDR is most effective for you.
What EMDR Can Help Treat
EMDR was originally developed for PTSD, and it remains one of the most effective treatments available for it. Its application has since expanded significantly and it can help with the following:
Trauma and PTSD
EMDR is one of the most effective treatments for trauma. It can help with both single events and more complex or long-term experiences (e.g. complex trauma, complex PTSD).
Anxiety
If your anxiety feels tied to past experiences, EMDR can help address the root instead of only managing symptoms. Learn more about anxiety therapy at ParityWell.
Depression
Depression is sometimes connected to unresolved experiences or long-standing beliefs about yourself. EMDR works directly with those underlying pieces. Learn more about NYC depression therapy at ParityWell.
Grief and Loss
When grief feels stuck or overwhelming, EMDR can help process the parts that have not fully settled.
OCD
EMDR can be integrated in OCD therapy alongside other evidence based practice. We frequently use ERP and EMDR together to enhance results. EMDR used in this way can be particularly helpful for OCD symptoms that are tied to trauma
Substance Abuse and Addictive Behaviors
Addiction process addictions, substance use, alcohol use, use in conjunction with harm reduction therapy or to support people who are abstinent and “in recovery” polish
EMDR and IFS: An Integrated Approach
For trauma and PTSD, we often combine EMDR with Internal Family Systems (IFS).
IFS helps you build a sense of internal safety and understand different parts of yourself. EMDR then helps process the experiences those parts are carrying. Together, they create a balanced approach that is both supportive and effective, especially for complex trauma histories.
Learn more about IFS therapy at ParityWell.
What EMDR Sessions Feel Like
Many people approach EMDR with uncertainty, which is fair. Here are a few things worth knowing before you start:
You don’t have to describe your trauma in detail. EMDR doesn’t require verbal retelling the way traditional talk therapy does.
Emotions, physical sensations, images, or unexpected memories may surface during sets of bilateral stimulation. This is normal and part of how the process works.
Your therapist stays close throughout. You are never left alone in difficult material.
Many people feel relief as memories become less intense
Processing sometimes continues between sessions. Vivid dreams, new insights, or emotional shifts in the days after an EMDR session may occur.
Virtual EMDR Therapy in Manhattan and Online Across NYC
The research on teleremote delivery for EMDR therapy is strong with EMDR being equally as effective online via telehealth. For online sessions, bilateral stimulation is delivered through visual cues on screen, audio tones through headphones, and/or tapping techniques your therapist will guide you throughSome people find it more comfortable to work from their own space whereas others prefer in-person.
We offer in-person EMDR therapy in our Midtown West Manhattan office near Central Park at Columbus Circle and virtually for clients across NY, NJ, and PA.
Why New Yorkers Choose ParityWell for EMDR Therapy
Trained EMDR therapists: Specific EMDR training, with extensive expertise
EMDR and IFS integrated: For complex trauma, the combination of both approaches is one of the most powerful available
Trauma-informed throughout: Safety, pacing, and your autonomy guide the entire process . We will never push clients into processing before they’re ready
Comprehensive assessment from day one: We identify what’s present before treatment begins so nothing gets missed
Neuro-affirming care: For autistic or ADHD adults, our therapy is neuro-affirming, meaning we work with your way of processing and we adapt our approach to support your strengths, needs, and sensory preferences.
In-person and online: Manhattan office near Columbus Circle and online across NY, NJ, and PA
How to Get Started
Reach out: Click the button below and tell us about yourself.
Meet your therapist: We’ll connect you with a trained EMDR therapist suited to your history and needs. Every client receives a comprehensive clinical assessment from the start.
Start with relief: Your first sessions focus on building safety and finding relief. You won’t move into processing trauma right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. EMDR does not require you to fully describe your experiences out loud.
You hold the memory in mind briefly while bilateral stimulation does the processing work. Many trauma survivors find this significantly more tolerable than talk-based approaches, and it’s one of the reasons EMDR is effective.
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It depends on the nature and extent of the trauma. Single-incident trauma often responds in 6 to 12 sessions. Complex or developmental trauma, meaning repeated experiences over time, especially in childhood, may require longer treatment. Your therapist will discuss what to expect in the beginning so you understand the process.
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Trauma-focused CBT works primarily through cognitive restructuring and gradual exposure by identifying and changing distorted beliefs, and carefully approaching avoided material.
EMDR targets the stored memory more directly through bilateral stimulation, without requiring detailed verbal processing.
Both are evidence-based and effective. The best choice depends on your specific history, preferences, and how you respond to each approach. At ParityWell, many clients benefit from both.
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IFS works through a relational, parts-based process by building internal trust and understanding what protective and exiled parts carry. EMDR works by directly reprocessing traumatic memories through bilateral stimulation.
IFs and EMDR are complementary rather than competing: IFS establishes the safety and relational foundation, EMDR processes the traumatic material at a neurological level. At ParityWell, we frequently use both together for complex trauma presentations.
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You can email us at hello@paritywell.com or contact us here. We are accepting new patients!