EMDR therapy now available.
Virtual trauma treatment with Julnyca Cadet, LCSW-QS. Accepting clients in Florida, Virginia, Maine, and Iowa.
You've probably tried to "talk through" what happened. Maybe it helped some. Maybe it didn't. EMDR takes a different approach.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy works with how your brain naturally heals. When something distressing happens, your brain sometimes gets stuck — replaying the memory, triggering anxiety, keeping you on edge. EMDR helps your brain finish processing those experiences so they stop running the show.
How EMDR Works
During an EMDR session, you'll briefly focus on a distressing memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation — typically guided eye movements. This activates your brain's natural processing system, similar to what happens during REM sleep.
Over time, the memory stays but the emotional intensity fades. You can recall what happened without the same level of distress, reactivity, or avoidance.
EMDR typically requires fewer sessions than traditional talk therapy for trauma processing. Most people begin noticing shifts within the first few sessions.
What EMDR Treats
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy recognized by the WHO and APA for trauma and PTSD. It is also used for anxiety, panic, phobias, complicated grief, performance blocks, and negative self-beliefs rooted in past experiences. Many clients seek EMDR when cognitive approaches helped partially but certain memories still feel physically activating.
EMDR does not require you to narrate every detail of painful events. Processing happens with bilateral stimulation—guided eye movements or tones—while your brain reconsolidates how the memory is stored. The goal is not to forget what happened, but to reduce the distress that hijacks your present.
What EMDR Can Help With
What to Expect in an EMDR Session
EMDR follows an eight-phase protocol. Early phases focus on history, targets, and stabilization. Later phases use bilateral stimulation during processing sets. Your clinician paces the work so you stay within your window of tolerance—grounding skills are in place before intensive processing begins.
Phase 1 — History Taking & Treatment Planning
Your clinician gathers your full history, identifies the memories and experiences contributing to your current symptoms, and develops a treatment plan. We discuss your goals and determine which targets to address first.
Phase 2 — Preparation
Before any processing begins, you learn grounding and stabilization techniques — tools you can use during and between sessions to manage distress. Your clinician explains the EMDR process in full so you know exactly what to expect. No processing happens until you feel ready.
Phase 3 — Assessment
You identify the specific memory to target, the negative belief connected to it (such as "I am not safe" or "It was my fault"), and how distressing it feels in your body right now. This gives your clinician a clear baseline to measure progress.
Phase 4 — Desensitization
This is the core processing phase. You hold the target memory in mind while following bilateral stimulation — guided eye movements, audio tones, or taps. Your brain begins reprocessing the memory, reducing its emotional intensity. You don't need to narrate every detail — the processing happens internally.
Phase 5 — Installation
Once the distress of the memory decreases, your clinician helps you strengthen a positive belief to replace the negative one. For example, shifting from "I am powerless" to "I am in control now." Bilateral stimulation is used to reinforce and deepen this new belief.
Phase 6 — Body Scan
You bring the target memory and positive belief to mind and scan your body for any remaining tension, tightness, or discomfort. If physical sensations remain, they are reprocessed until your body feels clear. EMDR recognizes that trauma is stored in the body, not just the mind.
Phase 7 — Closure
Every session ends with closure — whether processing is complete or not. Your clinician uses grounding techniques to ensure you feel stable before leaving. You receive guidance on what to expect between sessions, including how to manage any emotions that surface.
Phase 8 — Reevaluation
At the start of each subsequent session, your clinician checks in on previously processed memories to confirm the shifts have held. New targets may be identified and the process continues. Reevaluation ensures treatment stays on track and progresses toward your goals.
Virtual EMDR uses the same evidence-based protocol as in-office care. Bilateral stimulation is guided through on-screen visual cues or audio tones during secure video. Sessions are conducted through our HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform—the same convenient format as all New Steps Care services.
Is EMDR Right for You?
EMDR may be a strong fit if you have identifiable distressing memories, trauma-related symptoms, or anxiety that feels stuck despite other therapy. Ideal candidates can tolerate brief activation with clinician support, attend sessions consistently, and practice grounding between appointments.
EMDR may not be appropriate during acute crisis without stabilization, active substance dependence without concurrent treatment, or certain neurological conditions—your clinician screens carefully in the consult and preparation phases. If EMDR is not the right match, we will discuss other evidence-based options on our Focus Areas page.
Why New Steps Care
EMDR is currently offered exclusively by Julnyca Cadet, LCSW-QS, our clinical director. The New Steps Care team also provides CBT, DBT, and other evidence-based therapies for clients who prefer non-EMDR approaches.
EMDR sessions are virtual, with evening availability for working professionals. Accepting clients in Florida, Virginia, Maine, and Iowa.
EMDR Therapy — Frequently Asked Questions
How many EMDR sessions will I need?+
The number of sessions varies depending on the complexity of what you are processing. Some clients notice significant shifts in 6–12 sessions for a single-incident trauma. Complex or childhood trauma typically requires more time. Your clinician will discuss a realistic timeline during the preparation phase.
Does insurance cover EMDR therapy?+
EMDR is billed as a standard therapy session, so most insurance plans that cover mental health therapy will cover EMDR. New Steps Care accepts Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Oscar Health, and more. We verify your benefits before your first session so there are no surprises.
Is virtual EMDR as effective as in-person EMDR?+
Research supports virtual EMDR as equally effective for most clients. Bilateral stimulation is delivered through on-screen visual cues or audio tones during secure video. The eight-phase protocol is followed exactly as it would be in person. New Steps Care uses a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform for all EMDR sessions.
Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail during EMDR?+
No. EMDR does not require you to narrate every detail of what happened. You hold the memory in mind while engaging in bilateral stimulation — the processing happens internally. Many clients find this a significant relief compared to traditional talk therapy.
What is the difference between EMDR and talk therapy?+
Traditional talk therapy focuses on discussing and cognitively reframing experiences. EMDR works with how your brain stores distressing memories, using bilateral stimulation to help your brain finish processing experiences that got stuck. EMDR typically produces results faster than talk therapy for trauma-related concerns.
Can EMDR help with anxiety and not just trauma?+
Yes. While EMDR is best known for trauma and PTSD, it is also evidence-based for anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, complicated grief, performance blocks, and negative self-beliefs rooted in past experiences. If anxiety feels physically activating or stuck despite other approaches, EMDR may be worth exploring.
Who provides EMDR at New Steps Care?+
EMDR is provided exclusively by Julnyca Cadet, LCSW-QS, Clinical Director of New Steps Care. Julnyca is EMDR-trained and has extensive experience in trauma-informed care across behavioral health and private practice settings.
What states does New Steps Care offer EMDR therapy in?+
New Steps Care offers virtual EMDR therapy to clients in Florida, Virginia, Maine, and Iowa. Sessions are conducted via HIPAA-compliant telehealth with evening availability for working professionals.
Is EMDR covered by Aetna, Cigna, or UnitedHealthcare?+
EMDR sessions are billed as standard therapy visits, which are covered by most major insurance plans including Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Oscar Health, Oxford, and more. Contact us and we will verify your specific benefits before your first appointment.
How do I get started with EMDR therapy at New Steps Care?+
Book a free consultation through our online booking system. During the consult we will discuss your goals, confirm EMDR is a good fit, and schedule your first session. EMDR sessions are booked directly with Julnyca Cadet, LCSW-QS.
Schedule EMDR therapy
Use our booking flow to request EMDR with Julnyca Cadet, LCSW-QS. New Steps Care provides teletherapy in Florida, Virginia, Maine, and Iowa—confirm you can be seen virtually from your location during appointments.
EMDR sessions are booked directly with Julnyca. For non-EMDR therapy with our broader team, see Focus Areas.