EMDR guide · cost and coverage
What EMDR therapy costs, and why totals vary
The price of one session is easy to find. The total cost of EMDR depends on a few other things, and it helps to know them before you start.
The four things that set your total
- The session rate. Therapists set their own fees. With Artie Gately, LMHC, self-pay is $150 per hour.
- How you pay. Insurance, self-pay, or an HSA/FSA card change what you owe per visit.
- How often you meet. EMDR is commonly weekly at the start. The practice describes standard sessions of about 50 minutes.
- How many sessions you need. This varies the most and can only be estimated after an assessment.
How many sessions?
For adults with PTSD, the NICE guideline (opens in a new tab) describes EMDR as typically delivered over 8 to 12 sessions, and more when clinically needed, for example after several traumas. That is a guideline description, not a promise. Complex or long-standing trauma, or several concerns at once, often takes longer; a single recent event may take less. Preparation sessions count too.
A practical way to plan: multiply the self-pay rate, or your expected copay, by a realistic range of sessions, then review the plan with your therapist after the first month.
Does insurance cover EMDR?
EMDR is generally billed as outpatient psychotherapy, so coverage depends on your mental health benefits rather than on the method. Artie accepts UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Florida Blue, Oscar, Optum, Oxford and Carelon Behavioral Health. Before the first session, check:
- Whether the therapist is in network for your exact plan
- Your deductible and what is left of it this year
- Your copay or coinsurance for outpatient therapy by video
- Whether any session limits or authorizations apply
Paying privately
Self-pay keeps things simple: no deductible and no claims. The practice also mentions HSA/FSA payment and superbills for possible out-of-network reimbursement, but a superbill doesn’t guarantee your plan will pay.
Longer sessions and intensives
Some therapists sell longer sessions or condensed “intensive” formats at different prices. The practice’s public EMDR page describes standard sessions of about 50 minutes, so ask during the consultation before assuming another format is available.
Questions to ask before you start
- What do you expect the first month to look like, and when will we review the plan?
- Will I pay $150 per hour self-pay or use insurance?
- What is the cancellation policy?
The first step is free: a 15-minute consultation where you can ask about cost. Local details are on the fees and insurance page.
Ask whether EMDR fits what you're carrying
Accepting new clients. Book a free 15-minute consultation through Achieve Growth Therapy's own contact page. You'll talk about what's going on, whether EMDR by telehealth is a good fit, and what next steps could look like.
THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE, OR REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT.