How Much Does EMDR Therapy Cost? In-depth Guide for 2024

By: Maria Inoa

Jul 16, 2024

The average cost of EMDR therapy is roughly $75 - $200 per session. This rate varies based on the therapist's experience, location, length of sessions, and insurance acceptance.

In this guide, we will break down the average cost for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Your mental health care is important. We'll discuss various factors contributing to the EMDR therapy cost, how insurance coverage plays into EMDR treatment, low-cost options for EMDR, and whether EMDR treatment is worth the overall cost.

Average Cost of EMDR Therapy

The average cost of an EMDR session is roughly $75 - $200. This rate varies from therapist to therapist based on the factors we talk about below.

Some therapists even offer therapy intensives, which usually means two or more hours of therapy back to back, as a therapy option.

The rates for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy intensives can also vary based on how many hours of treatment you are receiving and the factors we discuss below. Keep reading below to better understand the ins and outs of how much EMDR therapy costs.

Factors That Impact the Cost of EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapists who do not accept insurance coverage are considered private pay and, therefore, set their fees for therapy sessions. For mental health professionals who do take insurance plans, the amount you are responsible for paying for EMDR sessions will depend on your specific insurance plan provider.

It is highly recommended that you contact your insurance company first to find out whether you have a co-pay with your insurance plan and, if so, what that amount is.

Typically, the rate per session is the same when seeking mental health treatment, whether traditional talk therapy, EMDR treatment, or another type of therapy. This is also true whether you are seeking in-person therapy or online therapy.

Geographic Location

For therapists that do not take insurance plans, one factor that affects the EMDR cost is where they are located. Generally speaking, if located in a larger city, the average cost will be higher than a therapist located in a less populated area. There are higher costs to run a business and live in a larger city, therefore, the fee or overall cost will reflect that.

The Therapist's Experience and Credentials

Another factor that affects what private pay therapists set as their rate is their experience and credentials. Therapists who have been providing therapy for longer and, therefore, have more significant experience will likely have a higher fee.

Mental health professionals with advanced EMDR training, such as EMDR certification, will likely have a higher rate. The same goes for mental health professionals with specialized training in one or more areas.

Related: How To Find a Good EMDR Therpist

Length and Frequency of Sessions

The out-of-pocket costs do not usually change regardless of how many EMDR sessions the client needs. Mental health professionals do not typically charge packages or monthly rates, as there are some ethical questions about this practice. As a result, you can expect to have the same out-of-pocket costs for each EMDR therapy session.

On average, EMDR treatment can take 3+ months. On average, with my clients, I see a typical average of 6 months for EMDR treatment.

For those with more severe post-traumatic stress disorder, complex trauma, or for clients who just want to continue therapy long-term for ongoing support, the overall cost can be higher.

In addition, some EMDR therapists allow for longer sessions. Instead of 60-minute sessions, you may have the option for longer sessions, such as 90 or 120 minutes. Having longer EMDR sessions can also reduce the overall time to complete the treatment plan.

Type of Treatment: Individual or Group Sessions

EMDR treatment is primarily done as an individual therapy. However, some couples therapist integrate EMDR sessions into their work with couples. Group EMDR therapy sessions are not common, but there are EMDR therapists who do offer this, especially to groups who have experienced a traumatic event together.

Does Insurance Cover EMDR Therapy?

How to Check If Your Insurance Covers EMDR Therapy

To check if your insurance covers EMDR sessions, give them a call directly and ask because no two insurance plans are the same. You may be able to go online and check this information if you have an online portal through your insurance plan.

Some people have co-pays and others don't. Insurance coverage is very unique to each specific plan, getting the information upfront can be helpful so that there are no surprises during the therapy process.

How to Find Affordable EMDR Therapy

Sliding Scale Therapists

Some therapists have one or more sliding scale spots where they have a unique sliding scale fee. A sliding scale fee means the EMDR therapist will lower the rate for clients who meet specific requirements.

The mental health professional determines that lower rate. They usually have specific requirements to qualify, such as income level. It never hurts to ask the EMDR therapist during the free consultation.

Online EMDR Therapy

Virtual EMDR has become very common, especially since the pandemic. It has the same benefits as in-person EMDR sessions. It can be an excellent option for people with busier schedules who live farther away or feel more comfortable experiencing therapy in the privacy of their own homes.

Nonprofit Mental Health Organizations

Open Path Collective is a company that offers low-cost therapy sessions similar to a sliding scale fee. You can check out their website and sign up to pay a discounted rate for mental health services

Resources to Help Pay for EMDR Therapy

Payment Plans and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

Even if you do or don't have an insurance plan, you may have a Health Savings Account (HSA). These are a great option to help you pay for trauma therapy with an EMDR therapist.

You usually have a card associated with the HSA that you can put on file with your EMDR therapist. It may not pay for all of the treatment, but it can help pay for a portion.

Due to ethical considerations, mental health professionals don't typically offer payment plans or other payment options and expect the session fee to be paid either before or right after the session.

Conclusion: Is EMDR Therapy Worth the Investment?

The Long-Term Benefits of EMDR Therapy

Once you start EMDR treatment, it's essential that you continue it until the completion of your treatment plan. In other words, until you have resolved the distressing memories you wanted to resolve and completed all 8 phases.

The mental health professional will keep you up-to-date on where you are and your progress. With EMDR treatment, like any other form of traditional therapy, you and the EMDR therapist are a team working together on your agreed-upon treatment plan.

EMDR sessions are an effective treatment for eliminating triggers that tend to haunt us from our traumatic memories. Even those with post-traumatic stress disorder and complex trauma can find healing through trauma therapy.

Through the core of EMDR treatment and bilateral stimulation techniques, your body can release trapped emotions and sensations that connect to past traumatic life events.

Through this therapeutic process, your brain can process distressing memories, allowing them to be stored in your brain more healthily. PTSD symptoms can be eliminated as your nervous system learns to operate in a place of calm instead of fight or flight.

To wrap up, I hope you have found this guide, which is all about breaking down how much EMDR therapy costs, very helpful. In this guide, we've talked about the range of rates mental health professionals charge, also called session fees.

We've looked at the various factors that affect what you can expect to pay and the difference between a self-pay therapist and therapists who take insurance coverage.

We discussed options for lower-cost EMDR sessions and the benefits of EMDR treatment. My hope is that this guide clears up any barriers you may have when reaching out to an EMDR therapist.

EMDR treatment can be life-changing. Don't hesitate to reach out to a therapist for a free consultation about your mental health concerns.