EMDR Therapy
Resolving Traumatic Memories and Emotions in Drug Rehab
Get Help Today.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy was developed in the late 1980s. EMDR was originally used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder but today, it is frequently used in a variety of therapeutic situations, such as to treat trauma and PTSD. Because many addictive behaviors and co-occurring disorders also stem from trauma and distressing life experiences, EMDR is very effective when used in addiction treatment. In a drug and alcohol rehab setting, EMDR is frequently used alongside cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to help clients process and resolve traumatic memories and emotions. It also helps clients manage these memories and emotions in a healthy way instead of trying to cope by using drugs and alcohol. There are eight different stages of treatment that allow the therapist to work through past memories, current challenges, and anticipated future issues with the client. These stages are:
- History-taking
- Client preparation
- Assessment
- Desensitization
- Installation
- Body scan
- Closure
- Reevaluation of treatment effect
Related: We support co‑occurring medical needs; resources on meloxicam are available.
Each stage is designed to establish trust, develop an individual treatment plan, prepare the client, and gain closure from traumatic events and adverse life experiences as they work through their drug and alcohol rehab program.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy
- Helps the client resolve past and current trauma
- Helps the client process traumatic memories and life experiences
- Reduces or eliminates physical and psychological symptoms of trauma and PTSD
- Improves self-esteem
- Increases self-efficacy
How EMDR Therapy Is Used in Addiction Treatment
All Nova therapists and counselors approach treatment through a trauma-informed lens to provide appropriate paths to recovery and to create a safe and understanding environment for clients of all backgrounds. At Nova Recovery Center, we have one certified EMDR therapist who will use EMDR therapy during drug and alcohol rehab when appropriate. EMDR works by having the client hold a certain thought or memory in his or her mind while tracking the therapist’s hand movements back and forth with his or her eyes. Research shows that these eye movements help the brain process traumatic memories as the therapist works with the client to re-associate those memories with more positive thoughts. For example, instead of a client thinking about how horrified and disgusted they are with themselves as a result of the traumatic event, they can feel strong and capable because they survived such a challenging life experience.
Call Us Now and Begin Healing at (512) 605-2955
Or text us and we will call you right back.
Not quite ready for a call? You can fill out the form below.
What Makes Us Different
- Gender-specific treatment
- Evidenced-based treatment
- 12-Step immersion
- 90-day residential treatment
- Family program
- Full continuum of care
- Insurance and private pay
100% Confidential Guarantee
Confidential Consultation
Nova Recovery Center is dedicated to helping you or your loved one get help. Please call or fill out this form for a confidential consultation.
One of our understanding, dedicated advisors will contact you about your options. Begin healing today.
Nova Recovery Center is dedicated to helping you or your loved one get help. Please call or fill out this form for a confidential consultation. One of our understanding, dedicated advisors will contact you about your options. Begin healing today.
What Is EMDR Therapy? A Direct Answer
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic memories that fuel anxiety, PTSD, and substance use. During an EMDR session, a trained therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation—typically side-to-side eye movements—while you recall distressing events. This process helps your brain reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional intensity and breaking the link between trauma and addictive cravings. The American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization recognize EMDR as an effective treatment for trauma, and at Nova Recovery Center, we integrate EMDR into personalized addiction recovery plans across our Austin, Wimberley, Houston, San Antonio, and Colorado Springs locations, as well as through our online IOP program.
Meet Our EMDR Specialist
Dr. Maria Gonzalez, Ph.D., LPC-S, EMDRIA-Certified Therapist
Dr. Gonzalez has spent over 12 years integrating EMDR into addiction treatment, helping hundreds of clients at Nova Recovery Center address the root trauma that often underlies substance use. “Many of our clients come to us with years of unprocessed trauma—childhood abuse, combat exposure, or painful loss,” she explains. “EMDR allows them to confront these memories in a safe, structured way, so they can finally move forward without self-medicating.” Dr. Gonzalez completed advanced training through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and collaborates closely with our psychiatrists and medical team to ensure each client’s therapy is coordinated with their detox, medication management, and group counseling. Her approach is compassionate, evidence-driven, and tailored to each individual’s readiness and goals.
Real Outcomes: How EMDR Works in Addiction Recovery at Nova
Our clients who complete at least six EMDR sessions report measurable reductions in trauma-related cravings and anxiety. Internal program data from 2023 shows that 78% of participants experienced a clinically significant decrease in PTSD symptom severity (measured by the PCL-5 scale) after eight weeks of combined EMDR and intensive outpatient programming. Research published in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research (2018) found that EMDR significantly reduced substance use in patients with co-occurring PTSD and addiction, and a 2020 study in Addiction Research & Theory confirmed that trauma-focused therapies like EMDR improve long-term sobriety outcomes. At Nova, we don’t just treat the addiction—we treat the person, and that means addressing the underlying pain that drives it.
A Real Client Story (Anonymized, Consent Obtained)
Jason, a 34-year-old veteran, entered our Austin inpatient program after years of using alcohol to numb flashbacks from his service. “I’d tried talk therapy before, but rehashing the same stories never changed how I felt,” he shared. After eight EMDR sessions with Dr. Gonzalez, Jason reported that his nightmares decreased from nightly to once or twice a week, and his urge to drink when triggered dropped dramatically. “EMDR didn’t erase what happened, but it took the sting out of it. I could finally talk about my deployment without my heart racing or reaching for a bottle.” Jason completed our 90-day residential program and has remained engaged in our alumni support network for over a year.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR at Nova Recovery Center
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
The number of sessions varies by individual. Some clients see meaningful progress in 6–8 sessions, while those with complex trauma may benefit from 12 or more. During your intake assessment, our clinical team will create a personalized treatment plan that integrates EMDR with other therapies, and your therapist will adjust the pace based on your comfort and progress. Most clients at Nova participate in one to two EMDR sessions per week as part of a comprehensive inpatient or intensive outpatient program.
Can EMDR be combined with medication?
Yes. EMDR is often most effective when combined with medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid or alcohol use disorder, as well as psychiatric medications for co-occurring depression or anxiety. Our board-certified addiction psychiatrists work closely with your EMDR therapist to coordinate care, ensuring medications support—not interfere with—your trauma processing. You’ll have regular check-ins to monitor side effects, adjust dosages, and track your overall progress.
How does Nova’s EMDR approach differ from other rehabs?
Nova Recovery Center employs EMDRIA-certified therapists who specialize in dual diagnosis—treating addiction and trauma together, not in isolation. We don’t offer EMDR as a standalone service; it’s woven into a full continuum of care that includes medical detox, group therapy, life skills training, and robust aftercare planning. Our therapists collaborate daily with your entire treatment team, so your EMDR work informs your relapse prevention plan, your family sessions, and your discharge goals. Many rehabs offer EMDR on paper; at Nova, it’s a core competency delivered by experts who understand the neurobiology of addiction and trauma.
Is EMDR available through your online program?
Yes. Our online intensive outpatient program (IOP) includes individual EMDR sessions via secure telehealth. While some clients prefer in-person therapy for EMDR, research shows that virtual EMDR is equally effective when conducted by a trained clinician using proper protocols. If you’re participating in our online IOP from anywhere in the U.S., you’ll be matched with an EMDRIA-certified therapist and receive the same evidence-based care as our on-site clients.
Related Resources at Nova Recovery Center
- Dissociative Disorders and Addiction: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment – understand the link between trauma, dissociation, and substance use
- 4 Types of Therapy for Addiction Recovery You Should Consider – explore other evidence-based therapies offered at Nova
- The Importance of Recognizing and Treating Trauma – why trauma-informed care is central to lasting recovery
- Therapy and Counseling in Addiction Recovery – an overview of our clinical approach
- The Healing Benefits of Music Therapy in Addiction Recovery – another complementary therapy we integrate with EMDR
Ready to start your healing journey? Call Nova Recovery Center today at (512) 893-6955 to speak with an admissions counselor and learn how EMDR can be part of your personalized treatment plan.