Online EMDR Therapy for Trauma & PTSD
I'm Corinne, a licensed psychologist (PsyD) offering EMDR therapy online for adults and teens in 45+ states. Trauma doesn't live only in the past — it lives in the body, in the reflex to brace before anything good happens. EMDR works directly with how trauma gets stored in the brain and nervous system, not just how you talk about it.
Does any of this sound familiar?
Trauma doesn't always look like a single dramatic event. Sometimes it looks like this:
- You know, intellectually, that you're safe now — but your body hasn't gotten the message.
- Something small sets you off, and afterward you feel embarrassed by the intensity of your reaction.
- You've done a lot of therapy, you understand your patterns, but understanding them hasn't made them stop.
- Sleep is difficult, you startle easily, you're always scanning for what might go wrong.
- You avoid certain people, places, or situations — not because you decided to, but because your nervous system made the decision for you.
- There are things you've never said out loud.
If any of that resonates, EMDR was designed for exactly what you're describing.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR is a structured, evidence-based therapy that targets how traumatic memories are stored in the brain. When something overwhelming happens, the brain sometimes fails to fully process it: the memory gets encoded raw and fragmentary, still attached to the fear and helplessness of the moment it happened. That's why trauma doesn't stay in the past the way ordinary memories do — a smell, a tone of voice, a certain kind of silence, and the brain responds as if it's happening now.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — typically guided eye movements — to engage the brain's natural memory-processing system and help it finish what it couldn't do at the time. The memory doesn't disappear, but it loses its charge. It starts to feel like something that happened, rather than something that's still happening. Importantly, EMDR doesn't require you to describe your trauma in detail or relive it for treatment to work — that's how the protocol is actually structured, not a sales pitch.
More than trauma alone
While EMDR is best known for trauma, research supports its use across a range of conditions — many of which have trauma at their root even when the connection isn't obvious.
Trauma & PTSD
Single-incident and complex, developmental, or relational trauma, including what happened over years, not just once.
Anxiety & Panic
Chronic hypervigilance, panic attacks, and fear-based avoidance that no longer feels like a choice.
Depression
Especially when it's rooted in shame, loss, or the accumulated weight of things never processed.
Childhood Trauma
Neglect, abuse, unstable home environments, and early losses that shaped how you see yourself and others.
Grief & Loss
Complicated or traumatic grief, particularly when the loss was sudden, violent, or layered with other pain.
Shame & Self-Worth
The persistent belief that something is fundamentally wrong with you, often the most stubborn residue of trauma.
Performance & Identity
Fear of failure, perfectionism, and the pressure of never feeling like enough.
Phobias & Avoidance
Specific fears and avoidance patterns that trace back to a specific experience.
Changing how your nervous system responds
The goal isn't just coping — it's changing how your nervous system actually responds. As the work progresses, clients commonly report:
- Intrusive memories, flashbacks, and nightmares becoming less frequent and less intense.
- Triggers that used to hijack them losing their power.
- The old story — "I'm broken," "it was my fault," "I'm not safe" — starting to loosen.
- A calmer baseline: less bracing, less scanning, less waiting for something to go wrong.
- The ability to think about the past without being pulled back into it.
- More capacity for the present — relationships, work, the parts of life trauma has been crowding out.
What EMDR treatment looks like
EMDR follows a structured eight-phase protocol, but the pace is yours. We don't rush into processing, and we don't leave you unresourced when the work gets hard.
Initial Evaluation (90 Minutes)
A thorough intake covering your history, current symptoms, and what you're hoping changes. This is the foundation for treatment planning, and a chance to ask questions before we begin.
Foundation Building (4 to 6 Sessions)
Before approaching difficult material, we build the internal resources you'll need to do that safely — emotional regulation skills, grounding techniques, and a clear understanding of the process.
EMDR Processing (6 to 8 Sessions)
Using bilateral stimulation, we work through targeted memories and the beliefs attached to them. You stay in control of the pace throughout.
Re-Evaluation & Next Steps
We review what's shifted, consolidate the gains, and decide together whether the work feels complete or whether there are additional targets worth addressing.
“The memory doesn't disappear, but it loses its charge. It starts to feel like something that happened, rather than something that's still happening.”
— Dr. Corinne Votaw-Freer, PsyD
Session fees & accepted insurance
EMDR sessions are billed the same as standard therapy, so your existing coverage applies. I currently accept:
Not sure if you're covered? Ask during your free consultation. For full rate and insurance details by state, see Rates & Insurance.
Why a psychologist for trauma work
Doctoral-Level Training
A licensed psychologist completes a doctorate — the highest level of clinical training in mental health — with years of additional supervised hours and advanced study in complex psychopathology. For trauma that's layered, treatment-resistant, or diagnostically complicated, that depth matters. Most insurance plans reimburse psychologist sessions at the same rate as other mental health visits, so you're not paying a premium for it.
Is online EMDR as effective?
Yes. Research supports its use via telehealth, and many clients find that doing this work from their own home helps them feel safer during processing. Bilateral stimulation adapts to online sessions without sacrificing the protocol.
Before you book
Do I have to describe my trauma in detail for EMDR to work?
No. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn't require you to narrate what happened in painful detail. The protocol is specifically structured so the brain can reprocess a memory without you having to relive it out loud.
How is EMDR different from talk therapy?
Talk therapy primarily works through language and insight. EMDR works more directly with how the memory is stored in the brain and nervous system, using bilateral stimulation to help the brain finish processing what got "stuck."
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
It depends on the complexity of what you're processing. Many clients complete foundation building and initial processing within a few months, though complex or long-standing trauma can take longer. We'll build a realistic plan together.
Does online EMDR actually work as well as in-person?
Yes — research supports EMDR delivered via telehealth, and bilateral stimulation adapts well to video sessions. Many clients also find their own home a safer environment for this work than an unfamiliar office.