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EMDR therapy at Villa Healing Center is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy delivered by EMDRIA-trained clinicians within residential mental health treatment for adults in Woodland Hills, California. EMDR follows an eight-phase protocol developed by Francine Shapiro and is endorsed as an evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder by the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, and the VA/DOD 2023 Clinical Practice Guideline. We accept most major commercial insurance.
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a structured psychotherapy that helps adults process distressing memories so the memories no longer carry the same emotional charge. EMDR was developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s and is now an evidence-based standard of care for post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma-related conditions.
In a typical EMDR session, the clinician guides the adult to recall a specific distressing memory while applying bilateral stimulation, most commonly side-to-side eye movements but also alternating tones or taps. The bilateral stimulation appears to support the brain’s natural information processing, allowing the memory to be re-stored with less emotional intensity and fewer somatic reactions when recalled later.
EMDR does not require the adult to talk through every detail of the trauma in narrative form, which is one of the reasons EMDR is often suited for adults whose trauma is too distressing to recount in standard talk therapy. The clinician focuses on the target memory, the negative belief associated with it, the desired positive belief, and the body sensations that arise during processing.
EMDR follows a structured eight-phase protocol established by Francine Shapiro and maintained by the EMDR International Association. Each phase has a specific clinical purpose, and the adult and clinician move through the phases at the pace clinical readiness allows.
EMDR therapy at Villa Healing is delivered by clinicians trained in the EMDRIA standard protocol. The number of sessions and the pace through the phases varies with the clinical picture; some adults complete EMDR work in several weeks of residential treatment, others integrate EMDR into ongoing care after residential step-down.
EMDR is clinically indicated for adults whose mental health condition involves traumatic memory or trauma-driven symptoms. Each condition below has a dedicated clinical page with the broader treatment framework used at Villa Healing.
Not sure whether EMDR is the right approach for your situation? Call (888) 669-0661 to talk with admissions about a clinical assessment.
EMDR therapy at Villa Healing is delivered within residential mental health treatment, not as a standalone service. Adults live onsite at our state-licensed mental health facility and receive EMDR alongside individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatric medication management, family involvement when clinically appropriate, and integrative wellness programming.
The residential setting is well suited to EMDR work for two clinical reasons. First, EMDR sessions can surface intense emotional and somatic material, and 24-hour clinical staffing means a clinician is available if processing continues outside the session. Second, the residential structure removes day-to-day stressors that often interfere with trauma processing, giving the adult uninterrupted clinical attention during the work.
EMDR readiness is established during the initial clinical assessment. Adults who are in acute crisis or severe dissociation typically need stabilization before EMDR begins; in those cases the treatment plan starts with grounding, distress tolerance skills, and supportive therapy until clinical readiness is established. Length of stay is set by clinical recommendation rather than a fixed calendar.
EMDR is one of the most-researched trauma therapies and has been endorsed by major clinical bodies as an evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
The American Psychological Association includes EMDR in its 2025 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of PTSD in Adults as an evidence-based intervention. The World Health Organization recommends EMDR for post-traumatic stress disorder in adults and children in its mental health guidelines. The 2023 VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder recommends EMDR alongside Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure as first-line trauma-focused psychotherapies for PTSD.
EMDR is delivered at Villa Healing by clinicians trained in the EMDRIA standard protocol. The EMDR International Association sets training standards and certification requirements for EMDR clinicians and maintains the standard protocol practitioners follow.
Villa Healing Center accepts most major commercial insurance for residential mental health treatment, which includes EMDR therapy delivered as part of the residential clinical program. Most commercial plans cover residential mental health care with prior authorization, and continued-stay reviews are conducted based on medical necessity. Out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan deductible and coinsurance.
If your plan is out-of-network, we work with you on out-of-network reimbursement, single-case agreements, and self-pay options. Call (888) 669-0661 to discuss options or to begin the admissions conversation.
Villa Healing Center is located at 23033 Ostronic Drive, Woodland Hills, California 91367, in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles County. Our residence is accessible from the 101 and 405 Freeways.
EMDR therapy at Villa Healing is delivered onsite as part of residential mental health treatment. Adults from across the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Orange County, and the broader Southern California region travel to our Woodland Hills facility for residential care that includes EMDR. Our admissions team is available 24 hours a day to coordinate with referring clinicians, hospitals, crisis stabilization units, or family members.
EMDR therapy provides a structured and evidence-based approach to healing from trauma, distressing memories, and emotional pain. It helps individuals reprocess difficult experiences in a safe and supportive setting, often leading to rapid and lasting improvements in mental and emotional well-being.
The benefits may include:
If you or someone you care about is experiencing these symptoms, professional and compassionate care is available. Contact us today to learn about anxiety treatment options and begin your journey to emotional wellness.
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a structured eight-phase psychotherapy developed by Francine Shapiro for processing distressing memories. EMDR is recognized as an evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder by the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, and the VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline.
In an EMDR session, the clinician guides the adult to recall a target memory while applying bilateral stimulation, most often side-to-side eye movements. The bilateral stimulation appears to support the brain's natural information processing, allowing the memory to be re-stored with less emotional charge. Sessions follow the standardized eight-phase protocol maintained by the EMDR International Association.
EMDR is clinically indicated for adults whose mental health condition involves traumatic memory or trauma-driven symptoms, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety with trauma roots, depression where unresolved trauma is a driver, and trauma-related self-harm or suicidal ideation. EMDR readiness is established during the initial clinical assessment, and adults in acute crisis or severe dissociation typically begin with stabilization first.
EMDR therapy at Villa Healing is delivered within residential mental health treatment by clinicians trained in the EMDRIA standard protocol. Adults live onsite and receive EMDR alongside individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatric medication management, and integrative wellness programming. EMDR is not offered as a standalone outpatient service.
Length of EMDR work varies with the clinical picture and the number of target memories being processed. Some adults complete focused EMDR work in several weeks of residential treatment; others integrate EMDR into ongoing outpatient care after residential step-down. Length of stay at Villa Healing is set by clinical recommendation, not a fixed calendar.
Yes, most commercial insurance plans cover residential mental health care, which includes EMDR delivered as part of the residential clinical program. Prior authorization and continued-stay reviews are conducted based on medical necessity, and we verify benefits on any plan. Call (888) 669-0661 to begin verification.
EMDR was developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. The standard protocol and clinician training requirements are maintained by the EMDR International Association, the professional body that sets training and certification standards for EMDR clinicians.
EMDR at Villa Healing is delivered within residential mental health treatment for adults onsite at our Woodland Hills facility. We do not provide standalone outpatient EMDR or virtual EMDR sessions. Adults seeking outpatient EMDR can search the EMDR International Association clinician directory at emdria.org.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For 24/7 mental health crisis support, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (free, 24/7, confidential). You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. Villa Healing Center admissions can be reached at (888) 669-0661 once you are safe.
