Looking for an EMDR Therapist in Cincinnati? Start Here
It's 11 p.m., you're in bed with your phone, and you've finally typed "EMDR therapist Cincinnati" into the search bar. Maybe a friend swore it helped. Maybe you've read that EMDR therapy can reach the stuff talk therapy keeps circling around. You hit enter and get page after page of smiling headshots, a lot of the word "holistic," and no clear way to tell anyone apart. 🫠
If you've closed that tab more than once, you're in good company. When you're already carrying a lot, a long list of options can feel like one more thing to get wrong. I'm Jenny Liu, an EMDR therapist in Cincinnati and the owner of Conscious Roots Counseling. In this post, I'll walk you through five things that actually matter when you're choosing someone to do this work with, and how we handle each one at our practice.
Quick answer: When choosing an EMDR therapist, look for five things: training through an EMDRIA-approved program plus real experience using EMDR, an approach they can explain in plain language, a first contact process that feels easy and low-pressure, fees and payment options that are clearly listed, and a sense of who they are as a person. Training helps keep the work safe. Fit helps you feel safe enough to do it.
1. Do they have real EMDR training and experience?
EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a structured therapy that helps your brain reprocess distressing experiences so they stop feeling like they're happening right now. It's powerful, which is exactly why training matters.
Why it matters: A therapist who completed an EMDRIA-approved Basic Training has had at least 20 hours of instruction, 20 hours of supervised practice, and 10 hours of consultation on real cases, so they know how to prepare you, pace the work, and keep you steady if things get intense. Some go further and become EMDRIA Certified, which takes added consultation and hands-on experience. You can look up trained clinicians through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).
How we handle it: I have completed EMDRIA-approved Basic Training, and I've used EMDR with clients for since 2020 (memorable time, right?). While I am not certified, I continue to engage in regular trainings and consultations. I have advanced training in using EMDR for Ancestral Trauma Healing and parts-work. I participate in consultation with Renee Groenemann, owner of Spirit(ed) Growth. I also use EMDR alongside Brainspotting and other approaches, so we can match the pace to what your nervous system can handle.
2. Can they explain EMDR in plain language?
Why it matters: If a therapist can't explain what they do without a pile of jargon, it's hard to feel safe enough to try it. You deserve to understand what's happening in your own sessions.
Here's the plain version: during EMDR, you briefly bring up a memory while following side-to-side eye movements, taps, or tones. That back-and-forth (called bilateral stimulation) helps your brain finish filing the memory away. It's not hypnosis, and you stay awake, aware, and in charge the whole time. Something we say a lot at Conscious Roots is that the past is lived in the present. EMDR helps the past go back to being the past.
How we handle it: We walk you through every phase before we start. The early sessions focus on getting to know you and building calming tools, and we don't jump into hard memories until you feel ready. You can pause or stop any time, no explanation required.
EMDR is a unique experience for each person, but I like to explain that it’s like riding a train as the passenger. You are riding in the train, looking out the window while your brain goes the direction it needs to go to process memories, thoughts, and/or emotions.
3. How does the first contact work?
Why it matters: Reaching out is often the hardest step. When your nervous system is already on alert, a confusing intake process or a week of phone tag can be enough to make you give up. A clear, simple first step helps your body stay out of "never mind" mode.
How we handle it: You can fill out the short form on our contact page or email me directly. We'll get back to you within 2 days to set up a free 15-minute virtual consultation. Or you can skip the back-and-forth and book a virtual consultation through our client portal. You don't need to tell your whole story or know exactly what you need. "I think I want to try EMDR" is a perfectly good place to start.
In our consultation, I’ll get a little bit of information about your goals for EMDR and I’ll tell you a bit about myself. If I’m not the right therapist for you, I’ll give you some referrals.
4. Are fees and payment options clear?
Why it matters: Surprises about money chip away at trust, and trust is the foundation of trauma work. You should know what therapy will cost before you commit to anything.
How we handle it: Our session rates are $165 for the intake session and $140 for 50-minute sessions. Intensive EMDR sessions are billed $420 for 3 hours ($140 per hour). We are out-of-network with insurance companies, but we can give you monthly superbills. Superbills can be submitted to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Check out this guide for how to call your insurance company about your out-of-network mental health therapy coverage. We are able to accept HSA/FSA cards for payment. We'll go over all of it during your consultation, so there are no awkward money conversations later. (Okay, fewer awkward conversations. Therapists are still people. 😆)
5. Do you get a feel for who they are?
Why it matters: Research consistently finds that the relationship between you and your therapist (often called the therapeutic alliance) is one of the strongest predictors of whether therapy helps. A photo and a short personal note let you get a sense of someone before you ever talk.
How we handle it: Every therapist at our practice has a photo and a short note on our team page. Mine will tell you I'm an LPCC-S, a former Registered Play Therapist, and almost always holding a sparkling water. I also have strong opinions about the TV show “Alone,” and my favorite book series, “The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion.”
Your therapist should feel like a real person, not a brochure.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a therapist is trained in EMDR? Ask them directly. A well-trained EMDR therapist can tell you where they completed EMDRIA-approved training and how long they've used it with clients. You can also search EMDRIA's therapist directory.
Is EMDR only for major trauma? No. EMDR can help with big, obvious trauma and with the quieter experiences that still shape you, like growing up walking on eggshells. Many of the parents I work with use it to understand why their child's meltdowns hit them so hard (hint: their childhood experiences are creeping into their parenting experiences).
Do you offer EMDR online in Ohio? Yes. We offer in-person sessions in Cincinnati and online sessions for clients anywhere in Ohio. Currently, we only offer in-person sessions for our 3-Hour Intensive EMDR sessions.
What to expect when you book an EMDR consultation in Cincinnati
Booking a consultation with us is low-key on purpose. Here's how it usually goes:
You reach out. Use our contact page and tell us a little about what's bringing you in. A sentence or two is plenty.
We talk for about 15 minutes. We'll ask a few gentle questions about what you're hoping for, and you can ask us anything. Good questions for any EMDR therapist: What training have you completed? How do you prepare clients before working on memories? What happens if I get overwhelmed?
You decide. No pressure, no hard sell. If it feels like a fit, we'll schedule your first session, which focuses on your history, your goals, and building calming tools. If it's not a fit, I’ll help point you toward someone who is.
Not sure EMDR is the right starting point? We also offer Brainspotting, Synergetic Play Therapy for children, and parent support sessions, and we can talk through which might fit you or your family best.
Choosing a therapist doesn't have to be one more thing you get "right" on the first try. It's okay to ask questions, take your time, and trust what your body tells you. When you're ready, reach out to us here.
Begin Healing With Conscious Roots Counseling
We specialize in trauma-informed, compassionate care for EMDR. Our therapists offer:
Online and in-person options across Cincinnati, Ohio.
A gentle, attuned approach at your pace
Tools to build safety, connection, and self-trust
If you're ready to get started, visit our therapy for EMDR page to learn more detailed information about our approach, or contact us to set up an appointment.
Written by Jenny Liu, LPCC-S
Owner and Therapist at Conscious Roots Counseling
You can email her: jenny@conscious-roots.com
