EMDR Therapy Chicago: Top Tips for How to Find an Online EMDR Therapist
EMDR Therapy Online
As the world becomes increasingly digital, many therapy options are now available online. If you want to find a good online EMDR therapist, you may be wondering where to start.
If you are looking for an online EMDR therapist, it can be helpful to follow a few key steps. It's also useful to keep some important things in mind when determining if an online EMDR therapist is a good fit for your therapy needs.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a specialized type of therapy developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. Since its introduction, EMDR has gained popularity as a treatment for PTSD and other types of trauma. EMDR has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, and other mental health conditions.
EMDR therapy is based on the idea that traumatic memories or unhelpful behavior patterns can become "stuck" in the brain. EMDR therapy uses 8 phases of treatment designed to help people reprocess essential memories, feelings, or experiences so that they become unstuck and no longer have a negative impact on the present.
Why Choose an Online EMDR Therapist?
Choosing an online EMDR therapist can offer a range of benefits, including:
Convenience of EMDR Therapy Online
EMDR therapy online allows you to receive treatment from the comfort of your own space, without having to commute to a therapist's office. This can make therapy easier to balance with your scheduling needs. Connecting with an EMDR therapist online also allows therapy to continue through unexpected events such as mild illness, inclement weather, or traffic hassles.
Accessibility of EMDR Therapy Online
Online EMDR therapy can be a great option if you live in a rural area or if you have limited mobility. If childcare, transportation, or other issues make in-office care hard to access, EMDR online can make therapy available to you.
Online EMDR therapy also helps you connect with the right therapist for you and your specific therapy needs. If there isn't a local EMDR therapist who works well with specific people or problems such as affirming neurodivergent therapy; LGBT therapy; or trauma related to the systemic oppression of other marginalized groups, an online EMDR therapist focused on these issues may be the answer.
Flexibility of EMDR Therapy Online
Online therapy may be easier to fit into your schedule. For people who travel for work or personal reasons, or who live in multiple areas throughout the year, working with an online EMDR therapist may also allow them to maintain care with the same provider without disrupting their treatment.
For more information about factors to consider when determining if online therapy is a good fit for you, read more here. If you’re curious about how to do EMDR therapy online or if online EMDR therapy really works, this article takes a closer look at those questions.
How to Find the Best Online EMDR Therapist for You
Now that you know a bit more about EMDR therapy and the benefits of finding an online therapist, let's discuss the steps you can take to find an online EMDR therapist.
Step 1: Research Online EMDR Therapists
The first step in finding an online EMDR therapist is to do some research. There are many online therapy directories that can help you find an EMDR therapist who has been trained by a respected and qualified institution. The two primary EMDR training and certifying organizations are the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and the EMDR Institute. Both of these organizations maintain directories of therapists who have trained with them. Not all therapists listed in these directories provide EMDR therapy online, but the EMDRIA directory allows you to filter your search based on providers who indicate that they offer online EMDR therapy.
You may also be able to find EMDR therapist directories for a specific niche area perfect for your needs. For example, The Touchstone Institute maintains a directory of trained EMDR therapists who specialize in using EMDR for aspects of parenthood including infertility, pregnancy loss, and NICU and special needs parenting.
Step 2: Check Therapist Credentials
Once you have found some potential online EMDR therapists, it's important to check their credentials. You want to make sure that the therapist you choose is licensed and qualified to provide EMDR therapy, and that they have the experience and expertise necessary to support your therapy needs.
All therapists providing EMDR therapy should have participated in basic EMDR training and consultation through a reputable EMDR training institution such as those previously mentioned. However, even therapists who completed basic training may have done their training a while ago; may not have pursued more advanced or specialized training; or may not use EMDR therapy often in their therapy work. Accordingly, you may want to learn more about the experience and expertise of a therapist who mentions EMDR training in their bio.
Clinicians who are EMDR certified have completed basic training, and have also met additional criteria based on the number of people they have supported with EMDR therapy and consultation that they have received beyond their basic training. Additionally, EMDR certified therapists engage in ongoing continuing education and training to maintain their EMDR certification. This continuing education may support therapists in further honing their EMDR therapy skills; learning emerging EMDR therapy techniques and specialized EMDR therapy protocols; or developing expertise in using EMDR with specific groups of people or conditions.
EMDR consultants and trainers are those who are trained and certified in EMDR therapy and have taken extra steps to support other therapists by providing EMDR consultation or instruction.
When researching online EMDR therapists, it's important to read their bios and learn about their training and experience. Look for therapists who have worked with clients who have similar issues to yours. When in doubt, contact the therapist to learn more about their training, experience, and expertise, and to ask these other key questions.
Step 3: Confirm That an Online EMDR Therapist is Licensed in Your State
Online EMDR therapy offers the ability for a person to connect to their EMDR therapist from virtually anywhere. However, it is a common misconception that online therapists can legally provide therapy to people who are located anywhere. State licensure laws continue to apply to online EMDR therapy, and therapists can only legally provide online therapy to people physically located in states where the therapist is licensed at the time of the therapy session.
That means that if you work with an online therapist who is licensed in your state, but travel, go to school, or relocate to another state, your therapist will not be able to provide online EMDR therapy to you across state lines unless they are also licensed in that state. The good news is that the growing desire and demand for online therapy has made it increasingly likely that an online therapist may be licensed to provide EMDR therapy to people in multiple states.
Some therapists choose to maintain licenses in more than one state so that they can offer therapy online to people in states surrounding where they live, or in states where the people they work with are likely to travel. The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) allows qualifying psychologists to practice online therapy across state boundaries throughout most states in the United States. Additionally, many states offer some provisions for temporary licensure coverage for out-of-state therapists, but this varies by state and by type of therapist. So, if you know or anticipate that you will need to access your online EMDR therapy sessions from multiple states, you will want to ask a potential online EMDR therapist if their license will allow for this flexibility.
Although therapists are limited to working with people in states where they are licensed, this still allows an online EMDR therapist to work with you even if they are not physically located in your state. This means that you may find a great online EMDR therapist to work with from a neighboring state, across the country, or across the world.
Step 4: Schedule a Consultation
Before committing to an online EMDR therapist, it's a good idea to schedule a consultation. Many therapists offer a free initial consultation, where you can discuss your goals for therapy and learn more about the therapist's approach, training, and expertise. This can help you determine if the therapist is a good fit for you.
During the consultation, you can also ask the therapist about their experience with online therapy and EMDR therapy specifically. Make sure to ask any questions you have and clarify any concerns you may have. This article on what to ask a therapist during your consultation has some great questions to consider.
Step 5: Choose an Online EMDR Therapist and Schedule Your First Session
After doing your research, checking credentials, and scheduling a consultation, it's time to choose an online EMDR therapist and schedule your first session. Remember that finding the right therapist can take some time, so don't be discouraged if you need to try a few different therapists before finding the right fit.
During your first session, the therapist will likely ask you about your history and the issues you want to work on. They may also explain the EMDR process and answer any questions you have. Make sure to communicate your goals for therapy and any concerns you have about the process. This article will walk you through more of what to expect in your first therapy session.
Find Good Online EMDR Therapy for You
If you're looking for convenient, accessible, and expert EMDR therapy to fit your needs, an online EMDR therapist can be a great option. By doing your research, checking credentials, scheduling a consultation, and choosing the right therapist, you can get the help that you need to process traumatic memories and negative thoughts and let go of the negative impact that they are having on your life.
Remember that therapy is a journey, and it's important to be patient and kind to yourself as you work through your issues. With the right therapist and a willingness to put in the work, EMDR therapy can be a powerful tool for healing and growth.
If you are looking for an online EMDR certified therapist to support your needs, I may be the right therapist for you. Contact me for a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your needs and to answer questions that you may have about EMDR therapy online. I provide affirming therapy for marginalized adults including affirmative LGBT and neurodiversity affirming therapy; therapy for parent burnout and caregiver burnout; PTSD and trauma therapy online; and EMDR therapy online to support the needs of people in Chicago, across Illinois, and in over 35 states across the U.S.
For more help finding the right therapist for you, see the rest of the How to Find a Therapist blog series.
