Highlights
- To find EMDR therapy in NC, check online directories, ask your healthcare provider, contact our local clinic, and schedule a consultation.
- EMDR therapy works to reduce stress and helps to process traumatic events better.
- EHG of NC’s insurance-covered EMDR helps individuals process traumatic memories in a more secure environment for a healing journey.
Feeling like your trauma is too much to process? Or do the memories flash right before your eyes, and it seems difficult to manage? Recent data says that about 53% people got rid of PTSD after getting trauma-focused therapies like EMDR 1. But these therapies are expensive. That’s why health insurance provides an affordable treatment option. Here’s how you can find EMDR therapy near me that takes insurance in NC:
- Start by searching online in directories.
- Ask a primary care doctor about the therapy
- Contact our local mental health clinic
- Schedule an initial confidential assessment
- Check insurance coverage with our licensed professionals
Worried about managing those painful memories and couldn’t find a solution to cope? EHG of NC is a behavioral health clinic that offers EMDR trauma processing therapy to help you manage negative memories. Call us at 910-335-9102 or fill out the online form.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), also known as trauma therapy, is an 8-stage treatment protocol. Initially, the structured psychotherapy was designed to help people heal from trauma caused by:
- War
- Accident
- Abuse
Now, EMDR may treat:
- Anxiety
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Complex Trauma
- Physical Trauma
- Addiction
- Phobias
- Distressing memories and life experiences
Note: In the case of substance addiction, it is important to break the cycle of addiction first. EMDR alone can not treat substance abuse.

How to Find EMDR Therapy Near Me That Takes Insurance in Wilmington, NC?
The first step towards trauma recovery from mental health issues is to find a suitable and trustworthy EMDR therapy in Wilmington, NC. The following tips may help to find an EMDR therapist who accepts Aetna for mental health coverage in NC and other major insurances:
Step 01: Start with Online Directories
Start your online search for a suitable mental health clinic that accepts insurance by browsing. Narrow down the results using EMDR therapy keywords. Individuals can find several reputable websites, like EHG of NC, that offer EMDR therapy services.
Step 02: Ask a Primary Care Doctor
Individuals can ask their primary care doctor or an EMDR-certified therapist about the different EMDR options and then compare services. Choose those that suit the condition’s severity and accept insurance plans. At EHG of NC, our therapists personalize the EMDR therapy plan depending on the condition.
Step 03: Contact Our Local Mental Health Clinic in Wilmington
Another option is to contact our local mental health clinic and request a confidential, in-person assessment of the condition. The EMDR trained therapist at our rehab covers the following treatment settings in insurance:
- Inpatient program (IP)
- Residential inpatient program
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
If you want insurance-covered EMDR, EHG of NC is a behavioral health clinic that offers EMDR treatment and other therapies.
Step 04: Schedule a Consultation With Our Team
Schedule consultations with our clinic. Ask important questions, and the expert EMDR therapists in NC will answer all the ‘ifs and buts’:
- What is it and how does EMDR work?
- Will it work for my condition and concerns?
- Are you an EMDR certified therapist?
- Will insurance cover my trauma therapy?
- How long will it take to see results?
Step 05: Check Your Insurance Coverage
Verify insurance coverage by calling us at 910-335-9102 to obtain the list of insurance carriers. After completing the paperwork, an individual can start treatment. We provide:
- Aetna
- Cigna
- United Healthcare
- BCBS
- Horizon
- MHN Insurance
- HealthNet Insurance
- Beacon Health
- Optum Health
- UMR
- Magellan Health
Happy Review From A Client Who Processed Painful Emotions Using Our EMDR Program
“I was in a ‘frozen state’ for the last few years. My brother from Chapel Hill suggested that I should visit EHG of NC and receive EMDR therapy.
I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am to the team. They helped me process my intense, chest-throbbing, painful emotions.
After receiving the counseling sessions for 3 months, I feel relaxed and strong.”
Who Needs Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in NC?
- Individuals who have PTSD/Trauma, acute stress disorder, or lingering effects from traumatic events (e.g., accidents, abuse).
- Those with “Stuck” memories feel haunted by past experiences, where the body still feels like the trauma is happening.
- Individuals who have phobias, panic attacks, seizures, body sensations, and severe anxiety.
- People with complex mental issues, such as childhood trauma, relationship wounds, and self-esteem problems.
- Those who are actively seeking alternatives to talk therapy, as they couldn’t find relief in traditional talk therapy.
- Those experiencing co-occurring disorders, such as addictions, eating disorders, and chronic pain, are linked to psychological distress.

3 Benefits of Finding EMDR Therapy in Wilmington, North Carolina
EMDR provides rapid symptom relief and addresses the root cause of distress without the need to detail the traumatic events. The nearby insurance-covered DBT therapy center offers various benefits, including:
1. Better & Affordable Access to Care
The individual can have better and more affordable access to care. It is easy to reach out in conditions such as:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Phobias
- Chronic pain
- Grief and loss
- Addiction
- Co-occurring disorders
If you are not sure about your substance use and mental health condition, look for signs that indicate you might need dual diagnosis treatment in North Carolina.
2. Enhances Coping Skills and Self-Esteem
The EMDR-licensed therapist focuses on building an individual’s coping skills and self-esteem. A qualified therapist also helps clients develop:
- Grounding techniques
- Emotional regulation skills
3. Better Therapist-Client Bond
A therapist-client bond helps an individual to recover from:
- Trauma
- Depression
- Anxiety, etc
To manage emotions and behaviors linked to trauma, you can also consider going for CBT or DBT talk therapy. Check out the DBT Vs CBT to decide which suits your condition best.
Does EMDR Therapy Cover Mental Health Care Insurance?
Yes, most insurance plans cover EMDR therapy as it falls under the behavioral therapy category. Though almost all commercial insurance plans cover it, an individual needs a diagnosis first. The coverage only covers a certain number of sessions.

How to Verify Insurance Coverage For EMDR Therapy?
Our team works directly with insurance companies to verify coverage. Here’s what we do:
- Contact the insurance carrier company on the individual’s behalf
- Confirm the plan included (inpatient, IOP, PHP, behavioral therapies, etc.)
- List out any deductibles, copays, or out-of-pocket expenses
- Verify the plan and start treatment
Get EMDR Treatment at Empower Health Group of North Carolina
Empower Health Group of North Carolina has licensed mental health professionals who offer insurance-covered EMDR) Therapy, including:
- Local Wilmington Certified Therapists
- Most Commercial Insurance Coverage
- Serve People From Nearby Areas of Wilmington
- Therapy coverage for IP, PHP, and IOP Level of Care
- HIPAA Compliant Services
- Individual/Group Therapy Options
- Morning and Evening Programs Available
- Same-Day Admission Facility
EHG of NC welcomes people from Raleigh, Greenville, Asheville, and the surrounding areas. If you or a loved one needs EMDR therapy for substance use disorder, anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health conditions, contact us at 910-335-9102 or fill out the online form.
Ask The Expert
How Can Someone Tell If EMDR Therapy Is Working?
Our Mental Health EMDR Specialist says,
The immediate signs of relief include decreased emotional intensity and reduced vividness. Individuals feel psychologically and physiologically calm. The traumatic response fades, and there are fewer flashbacks and nightmares.
Most Asked Questions For EMDR in NC That Takes Insurance
People who are struggling with traumatic emotions while searching for an EMDR therapy near you in Wilmington that takes insurance, also ask:
Is EMDR Therapy Covered By Insurance?
Yes, most insurance providers cover conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. However, coverage totally depends on:
- Specific plan
- Provider network
- Mental health benefits
How Do I Find A Therapist That Accepts My Insurance?
To find a therapist who accepts your insurance, check the therapist’s list of insurance providers or call them to confirm.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover EMDR?
Yes, Blue Cross and Blue Shield cover Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
I Shut Down During EMDR. What Does It Mean?
Shutting down (dissociating/freezing) during EMDR means you aren’t ready for it. In simple words, it means that the nervous system has exceeded its “window of tolerance” due to:
- Overwhelming emotions
- Attempts to process a deeply traumatic memory
How Does EMDR Work?
During an EMDR therapy session with an EMDR therapist who accepts insurance, the individual is asked to think about a traumatic memory. Using bilateral stimulation, the person follows the therapist’s hand movements with their eyes or listens to tapping sounds. The stimulation helps the brain process memory more quickly.
Can EMDR Cure Panic Attacks If They’re Rooted In Trauma?
Yes, EMDR therapy reduces the symptoms of panic attacks. Using bilateral stimulation, the brain can process:
- Traumatic memories safely
- Lower the emotional intensity of trauma
- Reduce the physical and behavioral panic-inducing responses
Can PTSD/Anxiety Be Cured?
PTSD and Anxiety can not be cured in an instant. But, as per the NHS, PTSD can be successfully treated even after many years of the traumatic event 2.
How Effective Is EMDR Therapy?
As per PubMed research, EMDR is effective in reducing depressive symptoms 3. The therapy is mostly effective for individuals with severe depression.
How To Find an EMDR Therapist Or Psychotherapist?
To find qualified EMDR therapists in Wilmington, NC, check for:
- Search online
- Check the license of the EMDR clinician or therapist
- Verify insurance coverage
- Check the accreditation of the center
- Ask key questions
What Happens If You Dissociate During EMDR?
During therapy, dissociation is a common and manageable trauma response where the brain creates distance from overwhelming memories.
The experience feels like zoning out, feeling “not here,” or hearing your therapist from a distance. The therapist regulates the nervous system by:
- Pausing and using bilateral stimulation
- Grounding Techniques like the 5-4-3-2-1 method, and breathing exercises
What Are Symptoms Of Emotional Trauma?
The common emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms of emotional trauma are:
| Emotional and Psychological Symptoms | Physical symptoms |
| Shock, or denial | Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping) |
| Difficulty concentrating | Fatigue |
| Irritability | Difficulty in concentration |
| Anxiety | Increased heartbeat |
| Guilt and shame | Agitation |
| Social withdrawal | Muscle aches and pains |
| Feeling sad | Muscle tension and stiffness |
References
- https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1437207.pdf
- https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/treatment/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11433385/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3951033/
- https://sites.bu.edu/daniellerousseau/2024/12/10/the-use-of-emdr-in-patients-with-ptsd/
Medical Disclaimer:
EHG of NC aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Our team of licensed medical professionals research, edit and review the content before publishing. However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice, please consult your physicians or EHG of NC's qualified staff.
