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EMDR Therapy in Brooklyn, NY

Evidence-based reprocessing therapy for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and stuck memories — with EMDRIA-trained clinicians and free practice tools.

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 you experience…

  • ✓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, your therapist can run our free EMDR Studio on your screen remotely, and you can use it yourself between sessions to practice and self-soothe.

Try EMDR Studio, free →

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.

Telehealth EMDR Across New York

Research shows telehealth EMDR matches in-person outcomes. We deliver it to clients anywhere in New York State using 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.

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 04

    Install & Integrate

    Per target

    A new, true belief, such as "I'm safe now" or "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
  5. 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.

1Stuck memory

The memory was stored with raw emotion, body sensations, and beliefs intact: frozen, easily triggered.

2Bilateral stimulation

Eye movements, taps, or tones activate both brain hemispheres while you briefly hold the memory in mind.

3Reprocessed & filed

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.

5 min
5 min
25–30 min
5–8 min
5 min
1

Check-in

5 min

How are you arriving? Anything new since last week?

2

Target activation

5 min

Bring up the image, the belief, the body sensation. Rate distress 0–10.

3

Bilateral sets

25–30 min

Sets of eye movements / tones / taps with brief check-ins. Notice what comes up.

4

Installation + body scan

5–8 min

Pair the new positive belief with the memory. Scan for residual tension.

5

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. 1

    History

    Treatment planning

  2. 2

    Preparation

    Stabilization & resourcing

  3. 3

    Assessment

    Target memory selected

  4. 4

    Desensitization

    Bilateral stimulation

  5. 5

    Installation

    Strengthen positive belief

  6. 6

    Body Scan

    Clear residual tension

  7. 7

    Closure

    Return to baseline

  8. 8

    Re-evaluation

    Check & next target

Therapy room with two textured swivel chairs, a floor lamp and a small kitchenette
One of the therapy rooms at our Crown Heights office, 864 Eastern Parkway. Tour the office

What to expect

  1. 1

    Intake: history-taking and treatment planning (1–2 sessions)

  2. 2

    Preparation: stabilization, grounding, and resource-building (2–4 sessions)

  3. 3

    Reprocessing: targeted memory work in 50- or 80-min sessions

  4. 4

    Free at-home tools: EMDR light bar, bilateral music, sounds, tapping guides

Free tools

Free EMDR Therapy tools and activities

Free to use, with no sign-up. Try them between sessions, or share your screen to use them together in a telehealth session.

Use these between sessions for grounding and resourcing. Reprocessing trauma memories should always be done with a trained therapist.

See all free therapy games and worksheets

Ready to start?

Tell us a little about yourself and we will match you with one of the therapists who practice EMDR.

Get matched →

Therapists who practice EMDR

See the whole team →
Jonathan NewmanLicensed Master Social WorkerHannah KrausLicensed Master Social WorkerChanah FaygenLicensed Master Social Worker

Frequently Asked Questions

How is EMDR different from talk therapy?

Talk therapy builds insight; EMDR changes how a memory is stored. You don't have to explain the trauma in detail. Bilateral stimulation while briefly noticing the memory helps the brain do what it couldn't at the time — fully process and file it.

How many EMDR sessions will I need?

It depends on what we're targeting. Preparation and resourcing take a few sessions before reprocessing begins, and a single traumatic event is generally a shorter course than complex or developmental trauma. Your therapist will share a treatment plan after intake and revisit it with you as the work unfolds.

Is EMDR safe? Are there side effects?

EMDR is very safe with trained clinicians. Common short-term effects include vivid dreams, emotional fatigue, or new memories surfacing between sessions. Your therapist builds containment skills before any processing so you're never left activated.

Can I try EMDR exercises at home?

Yes — we host free bilateral stimulation tools you can use between sessions for grounding and resourcing. Independent at-home reprocessing of trauma memories should always be done with a trained EMDR therapist.

Is this covered by insurance?

Yes. Crown Counseling is in-network with Aetna, Cigna, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, Anthem HealthPlus, Healthfirst, MetroPlus Health, Fidelis Care, 1199 SEIU, NYCE PPO, Northwell Health, TRICARE, Medicaid and Medicare. We confirm your specific copay before your first appointment.

Do you offer in-person and telehealth?

Both. In-person sessions take place at our Crown Heights, Brooklyn office (864 Eastern Parkway). Telehealth is available to anyone physically located in New York State on a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform.

How soon can I get started?

Our goal is to have your intake the same week you reach out. After you submit the intake form, our care coordinator calls within one business day to verify your insurance, answer questions, and send your intake forms. The sooner you complete your intake forms, the sooner we can see you.

Get matched with an EMDR-trained therapist

Fill out the short form below. We verify your coverage and get back to you — usually the same day.

Get matched2-minute sign-up formCrown Counseling Team

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