What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. The therapist guides you to focus on a distressing memory while delivering dual attention stimulation, such as guided eye movements, in short sets.
The 2023 VA/DoD guideline for PTSD lists EMDR among the individual, manualized, trauma-focused therapies it recommends. The World Health Organization's 2013 guidance on trauma care describes EMDR as a technique that helps people reduce vivid, unwanted, repeated recollections of traumatic events.
A bio tells you what a therapist was trained in. It cannot tell you whether you could talk through a painful memory with that person. Every First Session therapist has a short intro video for that reason.
What to know about EMDR therapy in Halifax
Online and in-person
EMDRIA's guidelines for virtual EMDR describe therapy delivered live by an EMDR-trained clinician. They say self-administered EMDR is forbidden under EMDRIA policy.
The same guidelines note that published research on online EMDR is still thin. On First Session, the second list above covers out-of-province therapists insured to provide online care in Nova Scotia.
Credentials in Nova Scotia
Registered Counselling Therapists are regulated by the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers, and the title is protected by legislation.
Psychologists are regulated by the Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology, formerly the Board of Examiners in Psychology. It moved to the Regulated Health Professions Act on November 24, 2025.
Cost and insurance
One Halifax practice lists $160 for a 50-minute session with an EMDR-certified Registered Counselling Therapist Candidate. A psychology practice with a Halifax mailing address lists $240 per hour for individual therapy in Atlantic Canada.
One Medavie Blue Cross booklet reimburses psychologists, social workers, counselling therapists and psychotherapists at 90%, up to $2,000 per calendar year. Your plan sets its own list of covered designations.
Local services in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Health's Community Mental Health and Addictions service takes referrals through its Intake Service at 1-855-922-1122. Halifax-area sites include Bayers Road and Dentith Road.
Veterans Affairs Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP can refer their clients to the Nova Scotia Operational Stress Injury Clinic, which has an office in Dartmouth.
How to choose an EMDR therapist in Halifax
1Ask about EMDR training
Ask whether the therapist finished an EMDRIA-approved basic training and whether they hold EMDRIA certification. A therapist can be trained without being certified, so ask which applies.
2Match the designation to your plan
Look at which designations your benefits booklet names. First Session verifies credentials before listing a therapist and shows the designation on each profile, so you can compare it with your plan before you book.
3Watch the intro video
Watch two or three videos. EMDR asks you to focus on a hard memory, so notice whether the therapist's pace and tone feel calm enough for that.
4Use the free consultation to ask about pacing
Ask how many sessions the therapist spends on preparation before working on a memory. EMDRIA describes an eight-phase approach that starts with history and preparation.
5Ask how online sessions run
Ask how the therapist delivers eye movements or taps on screen and what you need on your side. A clear answer shows they have done it before.
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Helpful reading
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