EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one of the most thoroughly researched treatments for trauma and PTSD, recommended by the WHO, APA, and Department of Veterans Affairs. It uses bilateral stimulation — eye movements, taps, or tones — to help your brain finish processing memories that got stuck. Our clinicians are EMDRIA-trained and offer both in-person and telehealth sessions.
This may be a good fit if…
- ✓PTSD or trauma symptoms from a specific event
- ✓Childhood / developmental trauma
- ✓Anxiety, phobias, or panic with a clear triggering memory
- ✓Performance blocks, public-speaking fear, or sports anxiety
- ✓Grief and complicated loss
The 8-Phase EMDR Protocol
EMDR is a structured 8-phase protocol: history-taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and re-evaluation. We don't skip phases. Preparation and resourcing usually take 2–4 sessions before any reprocessing.
Bilateral Stimulation Options
We use eye movements, alternating tactile buzzers, or auditory tones — whichever your nervous system responds to best. For telehealth, we use on-screen visual targets and our own free bilateral stimulation tools so you can practice and self-soothe between sessions.
EMDR for Anxiety, Phobias & Performance
EMDR isn't only for capital-T trauma. It's highly effective for phobias, panic, and performance anxiety when there's a memory or recurring image driving the response. Many clients see shifts within 3–6 reprocessing sessions.
Telehealth EMDR Across New York
Research shows telehealth EMDR matches in-person outcomes. We've delivered it across all 62 NY counties with the same protocols, on a HIPAA-compliant platform — plus our free online EMDR tool suite for at-home practice.
How Crown Does EMDR
A 5-stage journey designed so reprocessing feels safe, structured, and never rushed.
- 01
Stabilize First
Weeks 1–3
Before we touch a single hard memory, we build your toolkit: calm place, container exercise, butterfly tapping, and nervous-system regulation skills you can use any time.
Calm placeContainerResourcing - 02
Map the Targets
Week 3–4
We build a timeline of the memories, beliefs, and body sensations driving today's symptoms — so reprocessing is precise, not random.
Memory timelineNegative cognitionsTriggers - 03
Reprocess
Ongoing
With bilateral stimulation — eye movements, tones, or tactile buzzers — your brain finally finishes the job it couldn't do at the time of the event. We move at your pace.
Eye movementsTonesTactile - 04
Install & Integrate
Per target
A new, true belief — "I'm safe now," "I did the best I could" — gets paired with the memory and locked in with a body scan until it lands as fact.
Positive beliefBody scanFuture template - 05
Live It
Between sessions
You leave with free at-home bilateral tools, journaling prompts, and a clear plan for re-evaluation. Most clients notice triggers losing their grip within a handful of reprocessing sessions.
At-home toolsRe-evaluationReal-world wins
Safety before processing
No reprocessing until you have skills to land safely.
Titrated, not flooded
Small doses at a tolerable window — never overwhelm.
EMDRIA-trained only
Every Crown EMDR clinician is formally trained and consulted.
How EMDR Reprocesses a Stuck Memory
Bilateral stimulation helps the brain finish what it couldn't at the time of the event.
The memory was stored with raw emotion, body sensations, and beliefs intact — frozen, easily triggered.
Eye movements, taps, or tones activate both brain hemispheres while you briefly hold the memory in mind.
The memory is integrated as an event that happened — you remember it, but it no longer hijacks the present.
Bilateral stimulation, visualized
Inside a 50-Minute EMDR Session
The same rhythm every time — predictability is part of what makes it safe.
Check-in
5 min
How are you arriving? Anything new since last week?
Target activation
5 min
Bring up the image, the belief, the body sensation. Rate distress 0–10.
Bilateral sets
25–30 min
Sets of eye movements / tones / taps with brief check-ins. Notice what comes up.
Installation + body scan
5–8 min
Pair the new positive belief with the memory. Scan for residual tension.
Closure
5 min
Calm-place exercise, container, and a plan for the week ahead.
You stay in the driver's seat the whole time — a stop signal, frequent check-ins, and grounding skills are built in. Your therapist titrates the dose so you're activated enough to process, never enough to flood.
The 8-Phase EMDR Protocol
A structured roadmap — we don't skip phases, and preparation always comes before reprocessing.
- 1
History
Treatment planning
- 2
Preparation
Stabilization & resourcing
- 3
Assessment
Target memory selected
- 4
Desensitization
Bilateral stimulation
- 5
Installation
Strengthen positive belief
- 6
Body Scan
Clear residual tension
- 7
Closure
Return to baseline
- 8
Re-evaluation
Check & next target
What to expect
- 1
Intake: history-taking and treatment planning (1–2 sessions)
- 2
Preparation: stabilization, grounding, and resource-building (2–4 sessions)
- 3
Reprocessing: targeted memory work in 50- or 80-min sessions
- 4
Free at-home tools: EMDR light bar, bilateral music, sounds, tapping guides
Try EMDR Techniques at Home
Use these free bilateral stimulation tools between sessions for grounding and resourcing. (Active trauma reprocessing should always be done with a trained therapist.)
Bilateral Stimulation Hub
Start here — overview of every at-home EMDR exercise.
EMDR Light Bar
Visual moving dot — the classic EMDR target.
Bilateral Music
Calming preset tracks panned left ↔ right.
EMDR Tones & Sounds
Alternating tones, chimes, and binaural cues.
Butterfly Tapping Guide
Self-administered bilateral tapping for grounding.
