How Much Does EMDR Therapy Cost? Fees From 24 Practices (2026)

A standard EMDR session with a private-pay therapist usually costs $190 to $250. We checked the published fees of 24 practices that offer EMDR in California, Washington, New Jersey and Connecticut. The middle fee for a standard session was $210, and fees labeled specifically as EMDR had a middle of $195. A full course is often 6 to 12 sessions, so the total before any insurance is roughly $1,200 to $2,500.

If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 in the US, any time. You do not need to finish a guide like this one first.

What do EMDR therapists charge?

These are the fees practices publish on their own websites. We counted one standard session per practice, and used the middle of any published range.

The middle standard fee was $210 in California (5 practices), $200 in Washington (6), $250 in New Jersey (3) and $220 in Connecticut (4). Those samples are small, so use them as rough guides. Some EMDR specialists only publish their general individual-session fee, which is why the EMDR-labeled row is the cleaner number.

How we got these numbers

On September 29, 2026, we read the fee page of each practice's own website. We skipped therapist directories, online therapy platforms and large chains. Every fee is quoted from the practice's page. Practices that publish their prices tend to be private-pay practices, so this is a sample of published fees, not a national average. We report ranges only and do not name the practices.

How many EMDR sessions will you need?

It varies, but the published guidance gives a starting point. The American Psychological Association describes EMDR as usually delivered once or twice a week for 6 to 12 sessions (APA PTSD guideline). The VA's National Center for PTSD describes about three months of weekly sessions lasting 50 to 90 minutes, and notes that many people notice improvement after a few sessions (VA National Center for PTSD).

More complex or repeated trauma often takes longer. EMDR also starts with history-taking and preparation, so the first sessions may not involve working on memories at all. Ask for a rough estimate after the first few sessions, not a promise.

What does an EMDR intensive cost?

An intensive packs several hours of EMDR into one day or a few consecutive days. 14 of the practices we checked publish intensive prices.

Per hour, intensives cost more than weekly sessions, but they can shorten the calendar. Before you book one, ask how many hours of actual therapy are included, whether a separate assessment is required first, and what support is available afterward.

Is EMDR covered by insurance?

Often, yes, if your therapist is in your insurance network. Insurers generally treat EMDR as a form of psychotherapy for a diagnosed condition such as PTSD, so it can be covered like other therapy under your mental health benefits. Your plan's copay, deductible and session limits still apply.

The catch is finding an in-network EMDR therapist. In our sample, 14 of the 24 practices (58%) are out of network or private pay only, and 8 take at least one insurance plan.

If your therapist is out of network, you may be able to claim part of the cost yourself with a superbill, a detailed receipt that includes a diagnosis code (Cigna out-of-network claim form). 19 of the 24 practices mention superbills. Your plan pays a share of its own "allowed amount," not a share of the therapist's fee (HealthCare.gov), so call your insurer and ask what they allow for the session code your therapist uses.

How can you pay less for EMDR?

Start with your network. Search your insurer's directory for therapists who list EMDR, then confirm their training directly.

Ask about a sliding scale. 9 of the 24 practices mention reduced fees for some clients.

Ask for a written estimate. If you pay without insurance and book at least three business days ahead, you have the right to a good-faith estimate. A bill $400 or more above it can be disputed (CMS, your rights when not using insurance).

Compare the whole course, not one session. A lower fee per session is not cheaper if the plan involves many more sessions. Ask how the therapist structures treatment and when you will review progress together.

Frequently asked questions

Is EMDR worth the cost?

Treatment guidelines from the VA and the American Psychological Association both include EMDR as a treatment for PTSD, and the VA calls it one of the most effective types of treatment for PTSD. Whether it is right for you depends on what you are dealing with and whether you feel ready, which a trained therapist can assess with you.

Is EMDR more expensive than regular therapy?

Usually not by much. Many EMDR therapists charge the same fee as for other individual sessions. Longer sessions and intensives cost more because they take more time.

Who is EMDR not recommended for?

EMDR is not the first step for everyone. A trained therapist should check that you have enough stability and coping skills before trauma processing begins. If you are in crisis or feel unsafe, safety comes first, and EMDR may come later. Once you start, you stay in control: ask how you can pause or stop during a session.

How do you know a therapist is trained in EMDR?

Ask where they trained and whether they completed a full EMDR basic training. Certification is an extra credential beyond basic training. You can also search the EMDRIA directory, which lists EMDRIA members.

Where to look for an EMDR therapist

Start with your insurer's directory if you want to use insurance, and the EMDRIA directory if you do not. When you contact someone, ask for their fee, session length, expected number of sessions and cancellation policy in writing.