Is EMDR Right for Me? How to Decide With a Clinician

Part of our Online EMDR Therapy in Colorado resources.

Is EMDR right for me?

Whether EMDR is right for you is not something an article or a quiz can settle. It is a decision you make with a licensed therapist, after a conversation about what you are dealing with and what you want from therapy. This guide explains how that conversation works, so you can walk into it prepared. If you are new to the method, start with what EMDR is, then come back here.

What is EMDR, in plain terms?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD describes it as an individual therapy in which you call an upsetting memory to mind while paying attention to a back-and-forth movement, such as tapping or eye movements. EMDR is considered the “gold standard” treatment for PTSD.

At EMDR Center of Denver, our therapists offer talk therapy and EMDR therapy with adults on trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and addiction.

On literally a near daily basis, our clients report back to us the life-changing relief that are finding through this work together.

What does the free 15-minute consultation cover?

The first step is a free 15-minute phone consultation with Jeanne Cross or Gessica Cross. You ask your questions. We learn what you are looking for. Together we decide whether we are a good fit. There is no pressure and no obligation.

Rapport matters here. The National Institute of Mental Health says that an initial conversation can help you understand how treatment will proceed and whether you feel comfortable with the therapist. It adds that rapport and trust are essential. Notice how the call feels. Do you feel heard? Do the answers make sense to you?

What happens in a first session?

If you decide to go ahead, most new clients begin with a two-hour initial intake in which we discuss your top life “‘pain points,” and we decide together a preferred direction for EMDR.. You and your clinician talk about your life, your history and the goals you hope to reach in therapy. Our guide to what to expect session by session walks through the early sessions in more detail.

The VA describes the early stage of EMDR the same way. You learn about physical and emotional reactions to trauma. You and your therapist discuss how ready you are to focus on distressing memories in therapy, and you learn coping skills first. Timing and stability are part of the conversation, not an afterthought.

What might EMDR feel like?

The VA says you may feel uncomfortable when you focus on upsetting memories or beliefs. It adds that these feelings are usually brief, and that most people who complete EMDR find the benefits outweigh the initial discomfort. The VA also notes that EMDR is a one-to-one therapy and does not require homework between sessions. Tiredness or tender emotions after a session are common, and our post on what is normal after an EMDR session explains them.

A standard session after the intake is one hour. EMDR intensives are longer sessions, usually 90 minutes or two hours. They are not a fit for everyone, so new clients begin with a consultation and an initial session first. You can read more in our post on 90-minute and two-hour intensives.

What should you bring to the conversation?

Bring your questions. A few that help:

• What specific training and experience do you have in working with someone in this situation?
• What would your specific approach to help me find relief be?
• Have you had specific EMDR (or otherwise) training for this specific issue? Tell me what that training looked like.
• Roughly how many sessions until you anticipate me experience the specific treatment goals or relief that I am seeking?

We see adults online across Colorado, and we can only provide therapy to people who live in the state. See where we serve, and read our post on whether virtual EMDR works for the research on online sessions remaining just as effective as in-person sessions and generally far more preferred by our clients.. If you want to compare clinicians first, our guide to finding an EMDR therapist in Colorado lists more questions.

How do fees and privacy work?

EMDR Center of Denver is a self-pay practice. We do not participate in insurance plans, and we accept credit cards and HSA/FSA cards. Current fees are on the Rates page.

Many people ask why. To receive insurance coverage for therapy, a diagnosis is required. Some insurance companies also require detailed records, including diagnoses and session notes, and this information becomes part of your permanent medical record. A diagnosis could affect areas such as employment that requires a security clearance, life insurance and disability coverage. Self-pay keeps your care confidential between you and your therapist. It also lets you choose any therapist and decide on a course of action with your therapist, without insurance limits on the number, length, or frequency of sessions.

Confidentiality has legal limits. State law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality unless a client discloses abuse or neglect of children or elders, which must be reported to Child or Adult Protective Services and law enforcement, or reports active plans to kill themselves or kill another person. This is general information about how therapy payment works, not legal or medical advice. More answers are in our FAQ.

What if you are still not sure?

That is a normal place to be. You can take your time after the call. The consultation is free, and nothing requires you to book a session. If you would like to talk it through again, call or text 720-464-3444 or write to support@emdrcenterofdenver.com.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if EMDR is right for me?

An article or a quiz cannot settle it. It is a decision you make with a licensed therapist, after a conversation about what you are dealing with and what you want from therapy.

What happens in the free 15-minute consultation?

It is a free phone consultation with Jeanne Cross or Gessica Cross. You ask your questions, we learn what you are looking for, and together we decide whether we are a good fit. There is no pressure and no obligation.

What happens in a first session?

Most new clients begin with a two-hour initial intake. You and your therapist talk about your life, your history and the goals you hope to reach in therapy. A standard session after the intake is one hour.

Do you take insurance?

No. EMDR Center of Denver is a self-pay practice. We do not participate in insurance plans, and we accept credit cards and HSA/FSA cards. Current fees are on our Rates page.

Paying out-of-pocket is a great option for people who want maximum privacy, confidentiality, and flexibility. The benefits of self-pay therapy, as described on our Rates page:

• Greater privacy and confidentiality: By choosing self-pay, you maintain full control over your personal information, ensuring your therapy remains confidential between you and your therapist.
• Increased flexibility for therapy: With self-pay, you and your therapist can decide a course of action that suits your needs without being constrained by insurance.
• Freedom to choose your own therapist: Self-pay gives you the freedom to choose any therapist, regardless of their affiliation with insurance networks.
• No labels, no diagnosis: You can seek help on your terms without having a diagnosis define you.
• More control over your therapy: You and your therapist can decide together when you've reached your goals, without external pressure to end treatment before you feel ready.
• Predictable costs: With self-pay, you know exactly what each session will cost, allowing you to budget accordingly.
• Faster access to therapy: With self-pay, you can often begin therapy immediately, without waiting for authorization or navigating the complexities of insurance policies.

Do you see people who live outside Colorado?

We see adults online across Colorado, and we can only provide therapy to people who live in the state.

Next step

Ready to talk? Schedule your free 15-minute consultation with Jeanne or Gessica Cross and bring your questions. We will answer them, learn what you are looking for, and decide together whether EMDR is the right starting point. You can also call or text 720-464-3444.

Education and Crisis Disclaimer

This article is for education and is not a substitute for therapy, medical advice, or emergency care. If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room. EMDR Center of Denver does not provide emergency services.

Sources

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD. Last updated September 25, 2026; read November 3, 2026.
• National Institute of Mental Health. Psychotherapies. Last reviewed February 2024; read November 3, 2026.
• EMDR Center of Denver, Schedule, Rates, FAQ, EMDR Intensives and Who We Are, read November 3, 2026.