How Much Does EMDR Therapy Cost in San Diego?
Takeaway: The cost of EMDR therapy in San Diego varies based on factors like therapist experience, length of treatment, and more. While considering the price is important, know that EMDR is often a worthwhile investment in your mental health. Here, I’ll break down the cost so you can have a clearer picture of what to expect.
Are you curious about the cost of EMDR treatment in San Diego and the different factors that affect the cost? Keep reading and I’ll explain the variables that affect the price of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
I’m Allison Barton, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified EMDR practitioner. I have been working in the mental health field for 9+ years and attended my first EMDR training 7 years ago.
EMDR in San Diego varies in price based on several factors influencing the cost. While considering the price is important, know that EMDR is often worth the investment in your mental health. Here, I’ll break down the cost so you have a clearer picture of what to expect.
What’s the average cost of EMDR therapy in San Diego?
EMDR costs vary widely based on several factors including therapist experience, length of treatment, session length, whether the therapist offers in person sessions, and practice location. Another factor to consider is whether you are able to work with an experienced therapist in network with your insurance company, as this will make your treatment considerably more affordable. EMDR ranges from $110- $300 in San Diego.
| San Diego Neighborhood | Average EMDR Therapy Session Cost |
|---|---|
| Chula Vista | $160 |
| Carmel Valley | $200 |
| Downtown | $195 |
| Encinitas | $185 |
| La Mesa | $155 |
| Mission Valley | $190 |
| Rancho Bernardo | $170 |
Remember, these costs are just averages so don't hesitate to discuss your financial situation with a potential EMDR provider. Many therapists are willing to offer sliding scale fees for clients in need.
Why is EMDR therapy so expensive?
EMDR therapy can cost more than traditional talk therapy due to specific trainings and certifications needed. Therapists who practice EMDR undergo extensive trainings, with the most basic level of EMDR training requiring 40 hours of instructional training and an additional 10 hours of supervised practicum. Therapists who choose to become certified in EMDR pursue additional hours of supervision and instruction.
Specialized Training
Therapists are required to attend additional trainings to learn how to offer this reprocessing therapy. This increases their expertise but can also increase the cost of their services.
Session Length
Many EMDR therapists offer traditional 50 minute sessions as well as longer sessions, which can range from 90 minutes-180 minutes. The longer the session, the more expensive the session will be. However, it is important to consider that if you’re spending 3 hours working through your traumatic memories, you will likely experience more relief in that length of time than you would in a traditional 50 minute session.
High Demand and Fewer Therapists
EMDR is highly effective and and an evidence based trauma treatment. However, not all therapists are trained or certified in EMDR, which makes trained/certified EMDR providers more in demand.
Ongoing Professional Development
Therapists must continue their education, attend advanced EMDR trainings, and stay up to date on best practices. Many therapists also choose to attend specific EMDR trainings to better serve the mental health conditions they specialize in. All of these factors contribute to higher costs of EMDR sessions.
Is EMDR therapy worth it?
EMDR therapy can be an investment in your mental health. However, its ability to help you process deep rooted trauma, break free from anxiety, and finally feel at peace makes it truly worth it. EMDR therapy is highly effective and several studies have shown that this type of therapy is more effective and quicker than other forms of therapy. Because EMDR therapy is typically faster than other types of therapy, many people experience relief in their symptoms and achieve their goals in fewer sessions compared to traditional therapy.
Effective Treatment for Reducing Emotional Distress
EMDR reduces emotional distress, nightmares, lessens anxiety, avoidance behaviors, and decreases hyper-vigilance. It also decreases trauma related symptoms, including nightmares, flashbacks, and emotional triggers. EMDR is effective in person or virtually.
EMDR therapy targets root causes for behaviors clients find problematic. EMDR therapy also heals past wounds, childhood traumas, and can help you feel more secure in yourself and your relationships. EMDR does not require talking about issues in detail so you can heal without having to relive every detail of past trauma.
Works Faster Than Traditional Mental Health Care
EMDR is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment modality and tends to work faster than other forms of therapy. This is something to consider if you’re worried about the cost of therapy because you will likely spend less time in EMDR therapy overall than you would if you were in talk therapy.
Helps Rewire Negative Thought Patterns
EMDR addresses the root cause and core wounds in therapy. It helps to replace negative and limiting beliefs, such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’m unlovable” with more adaptive beliefs.
Is EMDR therapy usually covered by insurance?
If your therapist provides therapy in the typical 50 minute session structure, your sessions is typically covered. If however your therapist offers intensive sessions that are longer than 50 minutes, a portion or all may not be covered by insurance.
Many therapists choose to be out of network insurance providers due to the limitations placed on therapists by insurance companies. If your therapist is out of network, you can request a good faith estimate so you understand the costs of treatment before you attend therapy. Seeking EMDR treatment from an in network therapist means that you would pay your regular copay or coinsurance, just like you do when seeing your medical doctor. If you use out of network benefits, you typically need to meet your insurance deductible before receiving reimbursement for a portion of your therapy sessions.
Investing in EMDR therapy at Allison Barton Therapy
Now that you understand the difference of in network versus out of network care and the likelihood that EMDR will be covered by your insurance, let’s discuss seeking therapy with Allison Barton.
At Allison Barton Therapy, I am in network provider for Aetna and United Healthcare insurance companies and I am an out of network provider for all other insurance plans. I value being transparent about pricing and I am able to look up your insurance plan prior to beginning sessions so you will have a clear expectation of how much your treatment will cost. I provide good faith estimates to clients using out of network benefits so the cost of therapy is understood before the first session. I also offer to submit claims on my client’s behalf, which means that you can utilize your out of network benefits without having to deal with the stress of submitting claims to your insurance company directly. My fee per session is $200 and I offer a limited number of sliding scale fee spots to clients who need it.
I am certified in EMDR and dedicated to continuing my education with EMDR to give you the best care. I have attended several trainings to learn how to use EMDR for specific mental health conditions and I continue to participate in trainings to maintain my certification status through the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association.
Final thoughts
EMDR therapy is a highly effective mental health treatment and a time efficient way to approach therapy. Many people wonder how much does EMDR therapy cost and the answer is that it varies due to many factors. EMDR therapy can be more expensive than other forms of therapy due to additional trainings and certifications needed to offer this modality. However, it is also a more efficient way to heal and will take less time to achieve your therapy goals than if you work with a traditional talk therapist. Schedule your free consultation call today so we can discuss your goals for therapy and start you on your healing journey.
