EMDR Therapy in California
Looking for EMDR therapy covered by insurance? Lean Medical connects you with California-licensed clinicians trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - an evidence-based treatment for trauma, PTSD, and related anxiety. We accept Cigna and Aetna.
What Is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a structured, phased therapy developed in the late 1980s to treat trauma. In a typical session, you briefly focus on a disturbing memory while the therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation - usually back-and-forth eye movements, alternating sounds in each ear, or gentle tapping. This process helps the brain reprocess the memory so it no longer triggers the same intense emotional or physical response.
Unlike talk therapy, EMDR does not require you to describe the traumatic event in detail or work through it narratively. Many patients find this makes EMDR more tolerable when other approaches have felt overwhelming.
What EMDR Treats
EMDR has the strongest evidence base for PTSD and trauma-related conditions, including single-incident trauma (accidents, assault, medical trauma) and complex developmental trauma. It is also used for anxiety disorders, panic attacks, phobias, grief and loss, performance anxiety, and distress related to chronic illness or pain.
EMDR is endorsed by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the Department of Veterans Affairs as an effective treatment for PTSD.
How EMDR Works
EMDR is delivered in eight phases over multiple sessions. The first phase focuses on history-taking and building trust. The second phase teaches grounding and self-regulation skills so you have tools to manage emotional intensity during and between sessions.
The next phases involve targeting specific memories, using bilateral stimulation to reprocess them, and installing more adaptive beliefs. Your therapist works at a pace that feels safe and never pressures you to share more than you are ready for.
For single-incident trauma, meaningful progress often happens within 6 to 12 sessions. More complex cases take longer but follow the same phased approach.
Our EMDR Therapists
EMDR at Lean Medical is delivered by licensed clinicians who have completed EMDR training and maintain active practice in evidence-based trauma treatment. Many hold additional certifications in trauma-focused CBT, somatic therapy, and related modalities.
All EMDR therapists are credentialed with Cigna and Aetna through Lean Medical.
EMDR via Telehealth
EMDR works well via secure video. Therapists deliver bilateral stimulation through on-screen visual cues, audio tones alternating between headphones, or guided self-tapping. Research has shown that remote EMDR is comparable in effectiveness to in-person EMDR for most patients.
Telehealth EMDR is covered by Cigna and Aetna at the same level as in-person visits.
How to Get Started
Reach out.
Request an appointment through the Lean Medical portal and let us know you are interested in EMDR.
We match you with a trained EMDR clinician.
We verify your insurance and schedule your first session.
Begin EMDR.
Your therapist starts with history and preparation, then moves into targeted reprocessing at a pace that works for you.
Insurance We Accept
Lean Medical EMDR therapists are in-network with Cigna and Aetna. EMDR is covered under your plan's outpatient behavioral health benefits. We verify your coverage before your first session.
Not sure about your plan? Contact us and we will check.