Highlights
- The 8 phases of EMDR include history, patient preparation, assessment of the target memory, desensitization, BLS, body scan, closure, and re-evaluation.
- EMDR therapy may be an effective treatment for common conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, addiction relapse, phobias, depression, and insomnia.
- EHG of NC offers in-person or virtual EMDR therapy to promote long-term recovery.
- We serve residents of NC and surrounding counties, as well as those across the United States, to provide professional care.
Do you have any unprocessed traumatic emotions? Or have you been experiencing constant flashbacks and triggers of memories? Start your healing journey today by considering EMDR therapy Wilmington, NC, for your PTSD and anxiety. The therapist takes a history, decides on treatment, uses therapeutic EMDR, and reassesses the individual’s response. To start therapy at our behavioral health clinic:
- Verify insurance options and payment.
- Get a private assessment of the condition and decide on an EMDR treatment plan.
- Schedule an appointment and start therapy
(Note: EMDR may be incorporated into IP, PHP, IOP, virtual IOP, and OP treatment plans when clinically appropriate.)
EHG of NC welcomes people seeking treatment to travel to us from Concord, Greenville, Asheville, Gastonia, and nearby areas. Call us at 910-335-9102 or fill out the online form to connect.
What is EMDR Therapy For Anxiety and PTSD?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a form of psychotherapy that helps people heal from PTSD and other trauma-related disorders 1. According to the Permanente Journal, 77% of multiple-trauma victims healed from PTSD after a few 50-minute EMDR therapy sessions 2.
The eight-phase in-person or telehealth EMDR trauma therapy at a clinic may help to 1:
- Process distressing memories and associated negative emotions
- Process distressing memories and reduce trauma-related emotional distress.
- Accelerate patients’ intellectual and emotional processing of past trauma
- Reduce the emotional intensity of the aftermath of trauma

6 Signs You Might Need EMDR Therapy For PTSD and Anxiety
Behavioral health clinics use EMDR counseling or bilateral stimulation to manage emotions and address symptoms. EMDR therapy in NC may help individuals with 3:
- Intrusive memories or sudden flashbacks (crying, panic, or anger)
- Avoidance behaviors (Using alcohol, food, or distractions to numb difficult emotions)
- Hyperarousal and heightened anxiety, such as exaggerated startle response (Stuck in “survival mode”)
- Losing interest in daily activities, including concentration problems, and sleep disturbance
- Negative changes in mood followed by irritability and reckless behavior
- Physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomachaches, or muscle tension
What To Expect From EMDR Therapy Wilmington, NC, For Anxiety & PTSD Relief At EHG of NC?
Our professional team of licensed Wilmington, NC therapists may use the following 8-phases of EMDR therapy to heal patients from PTSD and anxiety-related disorders 3:
- History-Taking: Reviewing past experiences, symptoms, and treatment goals.
- Preparing the Patient: Explaining the personalized treatment plan (along with other therapies, if required).
- Assessing the Target Memory: Activating the traumatic memory for processing.
- Memory Desensitization: A trauma therapist in Wilmington, NC, asks to share thoughts about trauma. The purpose is to reduce amygdala activation and manage the fight-or-flight response.
- Installation of Positive Thoughts: Using bilateral stimulation to reduce the triggers and intensity of the experience by bringing new thoughts about the same experience.
- Body Scan: Identify and process any residual physical disturbances associated with the harmful memory.
- Closure: Closing the session down by helping the patient return to a state of calm in the present.
- Re-evaluating treatment results: Reassessing the patient and their memories to confirm the treatment’s effectiveness.
Read more about counseling vs. therapy to decide on the better approach for your addiction or mental health treatment.
Expert Review
How Do I Heal Trauma And Anxiety With EMDR Techniques?
Our mental health therapist in Wilmington, NC, says,
We use the bilateral stimulation (BLS) technique using eye movements to help you process and may heal inner emotional wounds, such as:
- Fear
- Regrets
- Flashback memories of trauma
How to Get Started With EMDR Therapy?
To get started with EMDR therapy, follow these three steps.:
- Call 910-335-9102 Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM to verify insurance options, self-pay, or out-of-pocket costs with the admissions team.
- Get a confidential assessment and individual or group therapy treatment plan.
- Schedule and start EMDR treatment in ASAM levels of care, including IP, PHP, IOP or virtual IOP or OP.

Conditions EMDR Therapists in Wilmington, NC Can Help With
EMDR therapists in Wilmington, NC may help individuals suffering from mental, behavioral, and physical conditions, such as 4:
| Mental and Emotional Conditions | Behavioral Conditions | Physical and Somatic Conditions |
| PTSD & Acute Stress Disorder | Addiction Relapse | Chronic Pain |
| Anxiety Disorders | Eating Disorders | Migraines |
| Phobias | Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (OCD) | Sleep Disturbances (Insomnia) |
| Depression | Self-Esteem Problems | Severe Illness Distress |
| Dissociative & Personality Disorders | Relationship Issues | Medically Unexplained Symptoms (Tension, somatic reactions) |
Payment Options For EMDR Treatment in Wilmington, NC
Looking for insurance-covered therapists that use emdr in Wilmington? We accept most commercial insurance, out-of-pocket, and private-pay/self-pay options for residents of North Carolina. Our plans include:
Insurance Coverage Options (Aetna, Cigna, etc)
All levels of care, including inpatient (IP), partial hospitalization (PHP), Intensive outpatient program (IOP), and outpatient program, accept most commercial insurance plans.
Note: Our insurance-covered EMDR services include Aetna mental health coverage and Aetna-covered dual diagnosis treatment.
Self-Pay/Private-Pay and Out-of-Pocket Option Available
Individuals who don’t have insurance can pay for treatment using self-pay, private-pay, or out-of-pocket expense options. We offer weekly and monthly care plans starting from $8,000. Call our admission team at 910-335-9102 .
Visit us at 2106 South 17th Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. We accept most commercial insurances, including Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, and others. Verify your insurance and get started.
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Why Choose EMDR at Empower Health Group of NC?
You are not alone, approximately 25% of adults in North Carolina have symptoms of anxiety and depression related disorders 5. To deal with this, EMDR therapy at our rehab may help individuals heal from past trauma. Our therapy Wilmington, NC programs, such as the EMDR program or DBT IOP program offer the following benefits:
- Same-Day Rehab Admissions Available
- Continuum Of Care, Including IP, IOP, and PHP
- Accepts Most Commercial Insurance Providers
- Local Licensed Wilmington Therapists
- HIPAA-Compliant Therapeutic Services
- Confidential And Private Assessment
- Individualized And Group Therapy Care Plans
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Combination With Other Therapies (CBT, DBT, Individual/Group Therapy)
- Trauma-focused treatment
- Virtual EMDR availability
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Family support services
- Flexible scheduling
Surrounded by negative thoughts and have tried everything already? Start EMDR therapy to reduce emotional intensity at our rehab.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To EMDR Therapy in Wilmington
Still looking for emdr therapy for ptsd in Wilmington? People searching for EMDR therapy in Wilmington, NC, also ask:
Is EMDR Typically Covered By Insurance?
Under the Federal Parity Law, most major commercial insurance companies cover EMDR therapy when it is considered medically necessary 6.
How Much Do EMDR Sessions Cost?
It depends on the type of plan. EMDR therapy costs under an insurance plan are lower than self-pay/private or out-of-pocket options.
Note: Check out how many therapy sessions Aetna covers to get a better idea of costs.
Who Is Not Suited For EMDR?
EMDR may not benefit:
- Individuals incapable of fulfilling the basic requirements of EMDR
- People taking certain medications that block EMDR therapy
- Individuals with severe addiction, mania, and cognitive impairments
How To Find Good Therapy, And Will It Help?
To find a good rehab offering EMDR therapy:
- Check the credentials of staff
- Type of treatment plan
- Insurance coverage and payment options
How Does A Therapist Help You Solve Your Problems?
An EMDR clinician, LCAS, LCSW, or EMDR, CBT therapist, or DBT therapist guides you to understand intense emotions and may:
- Process unprocessed thoughts and feelings
- Teach tools and skills to cope with challenges
- Encourage to improve self-esteem
What Is The Success Rate Of EMDR Therapy?
As per PubMed, after 3 to 8 sessions of trauma-focused EMDR therapy, 84% of patients with PTSD showed a reduction in symptoms 7.
References
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11111257/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3951033/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11264321/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8488430/
- https://www.kff.org/interactive/mental-health-and-substance-use-state-fact-sheets/north-carolina/
- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/laws-and-regulations/laws/mental-health-and-substance-use-disorder-parity
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10418657/
- https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing
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.
