BetterHelp EMDR: Who Offers It and What It Costs

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Yes, some BetterHelp therapists offer EMDR. BetterHelp says some of its 30,000+ therapists deliver EMDR online, and BetterHelp therapists confirm it on the platform’s own Q&A pages. However, there is no EMDR filter at signup and/or in their directory. To find one, you would need to request a therapist trained in EMDR.

BetterHelp costs about $70 to $100 a week on average, billed every four weeks. Live sessions run about 30 to 45 minutes, while BetterHelp’s article on EMDR says sessions typically require 60 to 90 minutes.

Other platforms that list EMDR therapists make them easier to find. Grow Therapy, Rula, and Talkspace each have an EMDR filter in their directories. Grow Therapy and Rula also accept insurance, with copays averaging $15 to $21, respectively.

BetterHelp is a subscription therapy service that matches you with a therapist after completing a questionnaire. Therapy is offered via video, phone, or live chat. Some BetterHelp therapists are trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a trauma treatment that involves processing distressing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, alternating sounds, or tapping.

As of September 2026, BetterHelp states that its network includes therapists trained in online EMDR. Two BetterHelp therapists have also publicly confirmed on the platform’s member Q&A pages that they use EMDR with clients.

A major drawback of BetterHelp is that the public directory doesn’t include an EMDR option in the Clinical approach filter. That means you cannot specifically select an EMDR therapist before being matched. Instead, you can list EMDR in your preferences, review your therapist’s training after you are matched, and switch therapists for free if your first match doesn’t offer it.

If starting EMDR is the reason why you’re seeking therapy, be aware of the typical session length before starting trauma processing. BetterHelp’s standard live sessions are typically 30 to 45 minutes, while its own EMDR guidance describes 60- to 90-minute sessions as common.

Start the BetterHelp questionnaire and name EMDR in your preferences, or compare Grow Therapy, Rula, and Talkspace, which each let you filter specifically for EMDR.

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Does BetterHelp offer EMDR therapy?

Yes, however, availability depends on the individual therapist.

BetterHelp’s advice article on EMDR therapists, updated June 29, 2026, says the platform has “over 30,000 therapists to date who can provide therapy trained in various modalities, including online EMDR.” Its “What Is EMDR Therapy?” article, updated January 2026, also states that a qualified therapist can guide clients through the eight phases of EMDR online or in person.

Two BetterHelp therapists on the platform’s public member Q&A pages confirmed the offering of EMDR as well. Georgina Nunez, LCSW, whose profile lists EMDR certification, answered a member asking for EMDR with “Just ask to be assigned to me.” Jill Sexton, LPC, wrote that she is “trained in EMDR” and uses it with many of her BetterHelp clients.

What BetterHelp does not provide is an easy way to identify these therapists before you’re matched.

BetterHelp’s FAQ page does not mention EMDR, and the platform does not publish a count of EMDR-trained therapists. On September 8, 2026, the public Los Angeles therapist directory did not mention EMDR among its featured therapists. The directory’s Clinical approach filter included 20 options, such as Trauma-Focused Therapy and Somatic Therapy, but not EMDR.

BetterHelp does not identify or publish a count of its EMDR-trained therapists. Its FAQ page does not mention EMDR. Its EMDR page describes the therapy but does not explain how to find it on the platform. On September 8, 2026, the public Los Angeles therapist directory page contained no occurrence of the word EMDR. The directory’s Clinical approach filter has 20 options, including Trauma-Focused Therapy and Somatic Therapy, and EMDR is not one of them. The Phoenix page showed one featured profile mentioning EMDR training.

So, while EMDR is available through BetterHelp, it may be hard to know where to start. You’ll need to adjust your preferences.

Some therapists offer EMDR. Because there is no filter, you reach them by asking for EMDR in your preferences or in your first message.

What EMDR is and who it helps

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. The VA’s National Center for PTSD describes it as “an individual therapy for PTSD in which you will focus on processing your memory of the trauma.”¹

During EMDR, the therapist guides you through a distressing memory. As you process the memory, you may engage in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, alternating tones, or tapping.

EMDR follows an eight-phase protocol that includes history-taking, preparation, assessment, processing, and reevaluation. BetterHelp’s EMDR article estimates that treatment may involve six to 12 sessions, typically occurring once or twice per week.

Most people are familiar with the eye movements often mentioned in EMDR; however, those movements are only one part of a structured treatment protocol. The therapist’s training, preparation with the client, treatment planning, and ability to assess when someone is ready for trauma processing are also important parts of EMDR treatment.

How to get EMDR on BetterHelp

Finding EMDR on BetterHelp is less straightforward than using a platform with a dedicated EMDR search filter. Based on BetterHelp’s terms, FAQ, and therapists’ responses on its public member Q&A pages, here’s how to approach it:

1. Start the signup questionnaire. Open the questionnaire through the link on this page. The 20% first-month discount applies automatically. The first question asks whether you want individual or couples therapy. Choose individual.
2. Mention EMDR in your preferences. When the questionnaire asks about your needs and therapist preferences, specify that you are looking for EMDR. BetterHelp’s terms say its matching process considers “several hundred different inputs,” including therapist characteristics and areas of expertise. BetterHelp therapist LaToya Kinnard, LPC, similarly advised a member looking for EMDR to request a therapist who specializes in using it.
3. Wait for your therapist match. BetterHelp says most members are matched with a therapist within 48 hours.
4. Verify the therapist’s EMDR training. Read the therapist’s profile and ask directly whether they provide EMDR through video sessions. Some therapists mention EMDR training in their profile bios, but there is no standardized EMDR label.
5. Switch therapists if necessary. If your match does not offer EMDR, BetterHelp allows you to request another therapist. Its directory pages state that members can switch therapists for free until they find an appropriate match. In the app, go to your profile icon, select My Account, and then Change Counselor. If you still can’t find an EMDR therapist, Kinnard recommends contacting BetterHelp’s Member Success Team.

The signup walkthrough for this article stopped at the first question, so we didn’t independently confirm which later screen includes the free-text preference field. However, both BetterHelp’s terms and its therapists’ answers describe the ability to provide therapist preferences.

Once you are matched, I would ask more than simply, “Do you offer EMDR?” Ask whether the therapist provides EMDR virtually, what EMDR training they have completed, and how they structure EMDR within BetterHelp’s session length. Those questions give you more useful information than the EMDR label alone.

Who delivers EMDR on BetterHelp?

BetterHelp requires its therapists to hold an appropriate professional degree, have at least three years of experience, and maintain a current license in each state where they practice. EMDR training, however, is not part of BetterHelp’s standard therapist credentialing requirements.

BetterHelp’s onboarding document listing accepted professional licenses does not mention EMDR training. This means EMDR is an additional specialty that individual therapists bring to the platform.

EMDR training also comes in different levels. EMDRIA, the professional organization for EMDR, distinguishes between completing EMDR basic training and becoming an EMDRIA Certified Therapist. Certification requires at least 50 EMDR sessions with at least 25 clients, 20 hours of consultation, and renewal every two years.

EMDRIA’s public therapist directory lists full EMDRIA members, but it is not cross-referenced with BetterHelp’s therapist network.

If you’re matched with a BetterHelp therapist who lists EMDR, ask what EMDR training they completed, whether they are EMDRIA certified, how often they use EMDR in practice, and whether they regularly provide it through telehealth.

Certification isn’t the only indicator of whether a therapist is a good fit, but understanding their training and experience can help you make a more informed decision.

What EMDR on BetterHelp costs

Prices checked September 8, 2026, on each platform’s own pages, except the Rula self-pay rate and Grow’s average copay, which come from Choosing Therapy’s July 2026 reviews.

BetterHelp’s subscription includes one live session per week plus messaging. The company does not list a separate or additional fee for EMDR.

BetterHelp also accepts insurance for eligible members, with an average copay of $23. Availability may vary by state, insurance plan, provider network, therapist availability, and deductible status. Choosing Therapy’s BetterHelp review found insurance options available in all 50 states and DC as of September 2026, though availability varies by state, plan, network and therapist availability, with most users still paying out of pocket.

Some users qualify for financial aid based on factors including income and employment. Choosing Therapy’s guide to BetterHelp financial aid explains how to apply.

BetterHelp estimates that a typical EMDR course may involve six to 12 sessions. The VA describes treatment as lasting about three months when sessions occur weekly.

With one live session per week, six to 12 BetterHelp sessions would mean roughly six to 12 weeks of subscription payments. At $70 to $100 per week, that works out to approximately $420 to $1,200 before applying the 20% first-month discount.

Keep in mind that EMDR treatment length varies. Some people may need additional preparation before trauma processing begins, while others may be working on more than one target memory. View 6 to 12 sessions as an estimate rather than a guaranteed treatment timeline.

Start BetterHelp’s questionnaire. The 20% first-month discount applies automatically, and you can switch therapists for free if your first match does not provide EMDR.

Session length: 30 to 45 minutes vs 60 to 90

If you’re joining BetterHelp specifically for EMDR, session length is one of the most important differences to consider.

BetterHelp says its live sessions “are generally 30 to 45 minutes long.” Its EMDR article, however, says EMDR sessions with trained clinicians often last 60 to 90 minutes. The VA similarly describes EMDR treatment as about three months of weekly 50- to 90-minute sessions.

BetterHelp’s session-length article says you “may be able to schedule another session with your therapist for an extra cost.” No BetterHelp page describes extending a single sEMDR session, so ask your therapist before you begin processing a memory.

That does not necessarily mean EMDR cannot be provided in a shorter session. However, EMDR involves more than bilateral stimulation. A therapist also needs time to assess how you’re doing, determine whether processing is appropriate that day, complete the planned work, and help you transition out of the session.

As a therapist trained in EMDR, I would want to know how a provider plans to structure the session before beginning active trauma processing in a shorter appointment. Ask what happens if processing remains active as the session approaches its end, how much time is reserved for closure, and whether longer appointments are available when clinically appropriate.

BetterHelp’s session-length article says members “may be able to schedule another session with your therapist for an extra cost.” However, we found no BetterHelp page specifically explaining whether a therapist can extend a single appointment to accommodate EMDR.

BetterHelp also does not provide a built-in bilateral stimulation tool. Its EMDR article mentions finger movements, tapping, and light-based methods but does not specify which approaches BetterHelp therapists use during video sessions.

EMDRIA’s client guide for online EMDR describes several options, including following a graphic across a screen, listening to alternating audio tones through headphones, and self-tapping. EMDRIA recommends using a computer or large tablet instead of a phone, using a wired internet connection when possible, and wearing headphones.

A 2024 paper in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine also noted that visual stimuli on a phone may not cover enough of the visual field. Technical problems on the client’s side may also be difficult for a therapist to recognize unless the client reports them.²

If you plan to do EMDR online, ask your therapist what bilateral stimulation method they use and what device or setup they recommend before your first processing session.

Does online EMDR work

Research on online EMDR is promising, but the evidence base is still smaller than the research supporting EMDR overall.

A 2020 systematic review identified only one trial of internet-delivered EMDR and concluded that widespread adoption at that point was “premature.”³ Research published since then has been more encouraging.

A 2021 study of 80 adults who received remote EMDR during the COVID-19 pandemic concluded that online EMDR can be effective.⁴ A 2023 service evaluation comparing 45 online EMDR clients with 33 people receiving in-person treatment found online EMDR to be an acceptable, safe, and effective alternative.⁵

A 2024 systematic review examined 16 studies involving 1,231 participants and concluded that online EMDR “shows promise.” However, the authors also identified important limitations. Many samples were small, relatively few studies included control groups, and only three evaluated whether therapists followed the EMDR protocol as intended.⁶

The evidence supporting EMDR itself is much larger. The VA describes EMDR as “one of the most effective types of treatment for PTSD.” The American Psychological Association’s 2025 Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD in Adults gives EMDR a conditional recommendation.⁷

BetterHelp’s educational content describes online and in-person EMDR as equally effective when provided by an experienced clinician. Based on the research currently available, I would frame the evidence more cautiously. Online EMDR appears promising and can be effective for some people, but research directly comparing remote and in-person EMDR remains more limited.

The format also matters. A therapist should consider factors such as your symptoms, stability, privacy at home, internet connection, ability to use the technology comfortably, and what support is available if you become significantly distressed during or after a remote session.

This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment.

What users report

Independent reviews specific to EMDR on BetterHelp are limited.

BetterHelp’s Trustpilot score is 3.9 out of 5 from 9,661 reviews, and none of the reviews on the page mentioned EMDR. Its BBB profile shows an A+ rating and 342 complaints closed within the past three years. Complaints primarily involved billing, account access, and insurance processing rather than specialty mismatch.

One Sitejabber review from November 2020 described a therapist telling the client during the first appointment that EMDR was recommended and could begin at the next session. According to the reviewer, the therapist’s camera then stopped working.

Broader surveys provide more information about BetterHelp’s matching process. HelpGuide’s April 2026 survey of more than 100 BetterHelp users found that 86% were satisfied or very satisfied with their first therapist match.

First Session’s smaller reader survey, updated in June 2026, found that 35% of respondents tried multiple therapists. Several respondents reported that their initial match lacked the expertise they needed.

These surveys are not specific to EMDR, so they cannot tell us how often BetterHelp successfully matches people with EMDR therapists. Still, if you are looking for a specialty that BetterHelp does not allow you to filter for, be prepared to use the free therapist-switching option if your first match does not meet your needs.

When BetterHelp is not the right platform for EMDR

BetterHelp may work well if you like the subscription model and are comfortable requesting an EMDR therapist after signup. If choosing an EMDR provider before committing matters to you, other platforms make the process easier.

Grow Therapy, Rula, and Talkspace each include EMDR as a therapist directory filter.

Grow Therapy

Grow Therapy lists EMDR under its Treatment methods filter and displays the number of matching therapists by state.

On September 8, 2026, its Florida EMDR page listed 297 EMDR-trained therapists accepting new clients. Individual therapist bios may provide more detail about training, including whether the therapist completed an EMDRIA-approved program.

Insured clients pay $0 to $50 per session, with an average cost of about $21. Self-pay sessions cost $100 to $200 or more.

If you want to compare therapists before booking, filter Grow Therapy’s directory for EMDR or read Choosing Therapy’s Grow Therapy review.

Rula

Rula includes an EMDR modality filter and states that many of its providers offer EMDR through video sessions.

When checked, its Los Angeles EMDR directory showed 50 or more providers within 15 miles, with some appointments available within three to eight days.

Rula is in-network with more than 180 insurance plans, and reports that insured clients pay about $15 per session on average. Self-pay therapy costs $150 per session.

Search Rula’s directory for EMDR providers if you want to review potential therapists before scheduling.

Talkspace

Talkspace also includes EMDR as a therapist type filter. Its California directory listed 53 EMDR providers when checked.

Talkspace’s EMDR article says bilateral stimulation during telehealth may be provided using on-screen visual cues or alternating audio tones through headphones.

Without insurance, Talkspace plans range from $69 per week for messaging-only therapy to $109 per week for a plan that includes video sessions and workshops. Talkspace says most insured members have a $0 copay.

The video plan includes up to four 30-minute sessions per month, so the same session-length considerations discussed with BetterHelp may apply. Ask a prospective therapist how they structure EMDR within that appointment length.

If BetterHelp’s trade-off suits you, open the questionnaire and name EMDR where it asks about your preferences.

Talkiatry

Talkiatry lists EMDR among the therapy options it may use for PTSD, and several therapist bios mention EMDR training.

However, therapy through Talkiatry is available only to patients who are already seeing a Talkiatry psychiatrist, and there is no dedicated EMDR filter.

EMDRIA

You can also search outside online therapy platforms using EMDRIA’s Find an EMDR Therapist directory.

EMDRIA’s directory lists full members of the organization and excludes Associate, Student, and Retired members. It does not document a telehealth filter, so you may need to contact individual practices to ask whether they provide virtual EMDR and whether they are licensed in your state.

This option requires more searching, but it lets you look specifically for clinicians with documented EMDR credentials rather than waiting to see whether a BetterHelp match has the training you want.

BetterHelp’s advantage is convenience. You can generally receive a therapist match within about 48 hours, pay one weekly subscription price, and switch therapists without an additional fee. The trade-off is that you cannot easily verify a therapist’s EMDR training before being matched.

If that trade-off works for you, start BetterHelp’s questionnaire and specify EMDR when you’re asked about your therapy preferences.