1.Nancy J Curfman, LCSW, MSW, CTRS
Bend, OR 97703
LGBTQ+
orcounselors.com/provider/nancy-j-curfman-bend-or
Treatments
EMDR Therapy in Oregon
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, an evidence-based trauma treatment used by Oregon therapists to resolve PTSD and complex trauma.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro and now recognized by the WHO, APA, and VA as a first-line treatment for PTSD. As of April 2026, many therapists listed on Oregon Counselors on this directory are EMDR-trained. Many offer telehealth EMDR (using on-screen bilateral stimulation tools), many accept Oregon Health Plan, many offer sliding-scale fees. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — eye movements, alternating taps, or alternating tones — while you briefly hold a traumatic memory in mind. The mechanism appears to mimic REM-sleep memory consolidation, allowing the brain to reprocess stuck memories so they integrate as past events rather than ongoing threats. EMDR is most-evidenced for PTSD but is also widely used for anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, complicated grief, and chronic pain.
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EMDR Therapy — key facts & evidence
Researched data on this topic, every figure links to its source.
WHO's 2013 trauma-care guidance advised that referral for advanced treatments such as CBT or EMDR should be considered for people with PTSD to help reduce unwanted recollections of traumatic events.
Source: World Health Organization (2013)England's NICE guideline (NG116) recommends offering EMDR to adults with PTSD who present more than 3 months after a non-combat trauma, typically over 8 to 12 sessions.
Source: NICE Guideline NG116 (2018)A 2013 Cochrane review of 70 studies found trauma-focused CBT and EMDR more effective than waitlist or usual care for chronic PTSD, but rated overall study quality very low and advised caution.
Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2013)A 2014 meta-analysis of 22 studies found EMDR significantly reduced PTSD symptoms, with a moderate effect size (Hedges' g = -0.662; 95% CI -0.887 to -0.436).
Source: PLOS ONE meta-analysis (Chen et al.) (2014)The American Psychological Association notes EMDR is recognized for PTSD, but that there is ongoing scientific debate about how it works and whether the eye movements themselves are necessary.
Source: American Psychological Association (2025)The VA National Center for PTSD notes EMDR carries the highest recommendation across most PTSD clinical practice guidelines, using bilateral stimulation such as guided eye movements, taps, or tones.
Source: VA National Center for PTSD (2023)Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this coverage in Oregon.
How does EMDR therapy actually work?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is built around the idea that traumatic memories sometimes get stuck in their original raw form — full of sensory detail, body sensation, and a frozen sense of present-tense danger. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, alternating taps, or alternating tones) while you briefly hold the memory in mind, which appears to mimic REM-sleep memory consolidation and lets the brain integrate the memory as a past event rather than an ongoing threat.
How many EMDR sessions do I need?
For single-incident trauma (one accident, one assault), most clients see significant improvement in 6–12 sessions. Complex or developmental trauma typically takes 6–18 months of weekly work — EMDR is paced through 8 phases, and the early "preparation" phase (resourcing and stabilization) sometimes takes several sessions before memory processing starts. A good EMDR therapist will reassess every 8–12 sessions whether processing is moving forward.
Is EMDR covered by insurance in Oregon?
Yes. EMDR sessions are billed as standard psychotherapy codes (90837 for 60 minutes, 90834 for 45 minutes) — insurance doesn't treat them as a separate service. Out-of-network clients can usually get 50–80% reimbursed by submitting a superbill.
Can EMDR be done online via telehealth?
Yes, and well — research and clinical experience since 2020 have established that telehealth EMDR is comparable to in-person for most clients. Therapists use on-screen bilateral stimulation tools (a moving dot or alternating beeps through headphones). The exception: clients who dissociate easily or have severe complex trauma sometimes do better in-person, especially in the early phases.
What kind of trauma does EMDR work best for?
EMDR was developed for PTSD and has the strongest evidence there — single-incident traumas like accidents, assaults, medical events, or combat-related PTSD respond well. It's also effective for chronic anxiety with traumatic origins, panic disorder, phobias, and complicated grief. EMDR is now used (less established but growing) for chronic pain, eating disorders, and addiction. It's not typically a first-line treatment for issues that aren't trauma-rooted, like primary OCD or bipolar disorder.
Will I have to talk through every detail of my trauma?
No — that's actually one of the appeals of EMDR. Unlike Prolonged Exposure or CPT (which require detailed verbal recounting), EMDR mostly happens internally. You hold the memory in mind, the therapist guides bilateral stimulation, and you report brief observations every 30–60 seconds. Many clients say it feels less re-traumatizing than talk-only trauma therapies for that reason. The therapist needs to know enough about the memory to track progress, but not a sentence-by-sentence narrative.
How is EMDR different from regular talk therapy?
EMDR is mostly internal. Unlike Prolonged Exposure or CPT (which require detailed verbal recounting of trauma), EMDR has you hold the memory in mind while the therapist guides bilateral stimulation. You report brief observations — what comes up — every 30–60 seconds. The therapist needs to know enough about the memory to track progress, but not a sentence-by-sentence narrative. Many clients say EMDR feels less re-traumatizing than talk-only trauma therapies for that reason.
Is EMDR scientifically valid or pseudoscience?
It's evidence-based and recognized as first-line PTSD treatment by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, the VA, and Department of Defense. There are 30+ randomized controlled trials and several large meta-analyses. The mechanism is still being mapped — early hypotheses about eye movements specifically have been supplemented by broader theories about working-memory taxation and REM-like memory reconsolidation — but the outcome data is robust regardless of which mechanism explanation ends up most accurate.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
For single-incident trauma (one accident, one assault), most clients see significant improvement in 6–12 sessions. Complex or developmental trauma typically takes 6–18 months of weekly work. EMDR is paced through 8 phases — the early "preparation" phase (resourcing, stabilization) sometimes takes several sessions before active memory reprocessing starts. A good EMDR therapist will reassess every 8–12 sessions whether processing is moving forward.
What is EMDR and what is it used for?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured, well-researched therapy for trauma and PTSD that uses guided eye movements (or taps/tones) while you briefly recall distressing memories, helping the brain reprocess them so they lose their charge. It's also used for anxiety, phobias, and grief.
Do I have to describe my trauma in detail for EMDR to work?
No — that's a key reason people choose EMDR. You don't have to narrate the event in depth or do homework between sessions; you hold the memory in mind briefly while the therapist guides the bilateral stimulation. You stay in control and can pause anytime.
How many EMDR sessions does it take?
Single-incident trauma can sometimes resolve in roughly 6–12 sessions after preparation; complex or repeated trauma takes longer and is done in phases. Your EMDR-trained therapist will assess and pace it with you.
Can EMDR be done online?
Yes — virtual EMDR is effective and widely offered, using on-screen movement or self-tapping with the therapist guiding you. Filter this directory for EMDR therapists who offer telehealth.
How many Oregon therapists specialize in EMDR?
there are many therapists specializing in EMDR, a therapy approach that can be particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with trauma and processing difficult memories.
Do Oregon EMDR therapists accept OHP/Oregon Health Plan?
Yes, many Oregon EMDR therapists accept the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), which is beneficial for individuals with Medicaid coverage seeking EMDR therapy.
Is telehealth available for EMDR in Oregon?
Yes, many Oregon EMDR therapists offer telehealth services, allowing clients across the state, including those in rural areas, to access EMDR therapy remotely.
Do Oregon EMDR therapists offer sliding scale fees?
Yes, many Oregon EMDR therapists offer sliding scale fees, which can help make therapy more accessible to clients with varying income levels.
Many therapists listed on Oregon Counselors specialize in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based approach often used for trauma processing. Many providers offer telehealth sessions, which can be a convenient option for residents across Oregon. Many therapists accept Oregon Health Plan (OHP), which helps those with Medicaid access EMDR therapy at little or no cost. Many providers offer sliding scale fees to accommodate clients with varying income levels. These therapists can assist with various trauma-related issues and may use EMDR in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities.