What is EMDR therapy and how does it work?

EMDR therapy operates from the concept that when someone experiences something traumatic, it can overwhelm the brain's natural processing, leaving us feeling on edge and dealing with trauma symptoms and triggers after the event is over. EMDR therapy aims at helping our brain process the memory so the information can be integrated and we can come out of survival mode and into the present moment rather than continuing to live in the past. EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation, often in the form of eye movement, which mimics what our eyes do in REM sleep. This helps our brain and body process the stuck trauma so the memory can become just another memory. If you want to learn more, check out my complete guide here.

Is EMDR usually covered by insurance?

It largely depends on the therapist you are looking to see. Some therapists are paneled under insurance while others are not, so therefore some therapists may be able to bill your insurance for EMDR therapy whereas others may not. I am a private pay practice, which means I don't bill insurance directly. Here's why that's actually intentional: insurance companies require a diagnosis, dictate session frequency, and can limit the kind of deep, unhurried work that makes EMDR effective. Opting out of that system means your treatment is driven by your needs, not a managed care checklist. That said, many clients use their out-of-network benefits to get reimbursed for a portion of session fees. I can provide a superbill (an itemized receipt) that you submit directly to your insurance company. It's worth a quick call to your provider to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits before we meet, you may be surprised by what's covered. If you have questions about fees or want to talk through what this looks like practically, we can cover that in your free consultation.

How much does a session of EMDR cost?

Sessions are $167 for 60 minutes and $250 for 90 minutes. If you're looking for a more focused, accelerated option, a 3-hour EMDR Intensive is $500, and it's worth understanding why that format can actually save you money in the long run. Three standard 60-minute sessions would run you $501, but an intensive gives you that same time in one uninterrupted block where the depth of work is genuinely different. Without the stopping and starting of weekly sessions, you can move through material in a single intensive that might otherwise take months to reach, which means fewer total sessions and a faster path to feeling different in your daily life.

Who is EMDR not appropriate for?

EMDR is appropriate for people who are experiencing a wide range or mental health issues. It has been applied in many areas including, trauma, PTSD, anxiety and more. EMDR works best for people who are in a more or less stable place in their lives. If they are dealing with active substance issues, or severe mental health issues, some stabilization might be needed before engaging in EMDR.

Hi, I’m Kandace - Certified EMDR Therapist

Compassionate Healing for Anxiety, Trauma & When the Sh*t Keeps Hitting the Fan

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A Safe Space for Healing and Growth

Kandace Ledergerber, laughing with a cup of coffee — Photo Description: A close-up portrait of Kandace Ledergerber with curly auburn hair laughing and looking at the viewer, holding a ceramic mug with both hands. She wears a cream-colored top and a smartwatch, with a warm, softly lit living room in the background.

If you’re searching for EMDR therapy in Phoenix, you’re likely looking for more than just someone to talk to. You’re looking for a safe, grounded space where moving out of trauma feels possible and where you don’t have to carry everything alone.

Perhaps you’ve typically found yourself caring for others or being the caretaker in the relationship. You bend over backward trying to help, and you’re constantly trying to keep it all together.

You crave time to relax, breathe, and feel seen, really seen. Maybe you’ve experienced trauma in the past (little or big..it all still impacts us!). And you’re tired of it getting under your skin. The anxiety is overwhelming sometimes, and you often feel on edge or burned out from keeping up with all of life’s demands.

Maybe you’ve tried talk therapy before, and it has helped a bit, but it still feels like something is missing. Finding a trauma therapist and the right trauma therapist can be tough. It’s important to find someone you click with and someone who has the right expertise. And believe me, when you find the right match, it can make all the difference!

What Makes EMDR Therapy Effective? (Hint: It’s More Than Just Talking)

My name is Kandace Ledergerber (she/her). I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified EMDR Therapist providing in person appointments in Tempe and virtually throughout Arizona. As a therapist, I value inclusivity and creating a safe space for marginalized people because all people should be able to show up as exactly who they are, heal, and move forward.

I help anxious, stressed-out, overwhelmed high-achievers who have past trauma invading their lives find balance and space to breathe and uproot negative messages that keep them running in circles by using leading-edge brain science techniques. I also integrate yoga-based movements and breathing techniques to help you find a space to release, breathe, and leave the therapy session with tools to use in your real life.

And, if what we do doesn't work, we’ll work as a team to change things up or find you a referral that will work. I care more about you actually healing and making progress and living a life full of joy and authenticity more than anything else.

Ready to Begin? Let’s Reclaim Your Peace Together.

If you are tired of running on that hamster wheel of chaos and letting anxiety, overwhelm, and trauma steer your life, contact me for a free 15-minute video or phone consultation. This phone call will help us talk about how therapy with a plan and the right person can make the difference in how you’re feeling, not just for today but beyond that, so you can live a life you love.

My specialties include working with people struggling with anxiety, sexual trauma, and cycles of family trauma. I am also now offering EMDR Intensives for those who feel like weekly therapy is too much or doesn’t fit into their schedule.

Whether you’re located in Phoenix, Tempe, or anywhere in Arizona, virtual EMDR therapy allows you to access specialized trauma treatment from the comfort of your own space.

*If you would like to understand more about the roots of the yoga I have been trained in, the impact of colonial violence, and my intentions, please see this page.

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Smiling person with dark natural coily hair as they look at a computer, sitting at a desk. — It’s important to find the right therapist that clicks with you!

Ready to take that first step toward healing with an EMDR therapist? Schedule a free consultation today. I’ll be here to listen, guide, and, yes, maybe even make you smile a bit. Because healing is serious, but therapy doesn’t have to be all serious business!

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Are weekly or even bi-weekly sessions too hard to fit into your schedule? Check out EMDR Phoenix Intensives

If you are interested in EMDR therapy but can’t commit to weekly or bi-weekly, check out my Intensive page to see if this may be a better fit for you. Intensives are longer sessions scheduled less frequently or on an as-needed basis while still helping you to work through finding grounding skills and re-processing past trauma that is impacting your present.

Frequently Asked Questions From a Certified EMDR Therapist

EMDR therapy operates from the concept that when someone experiences something traumatic, it can overwhelm the brain's natural processing, leaving us feeling on edge and dealing with trauma symptoms and triggers after the event is over. EMDR therapy aims at helping our brain process the memory so the information can be integrated and we can come out of survival mode and into the present moment rather than continuing to live in the past. EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation, often in the form of eye movement, which mimics what our eyes do in REM sleep. This helps our brain and body process the stuck trauma so the memory can become just another memory. If you want to learn more, check out my complete guide here.
It largely depends on the therapist you are looking to see. Some therapists are paneled under insurance while others are not, so therefore some therapists may be able to bill your insurance for EMDR therapy whereas others may not.
I am a private pay practice, which means I don't bill insurance directly. Here's why that's actually intentional: insurance companies require a diagnosis, dictate session frequency, and can limit the kind of deep, unhurried work that makes EMDR effective. Opting out of that system means your treatment is driven by your needs, not a managed care checklist.
That said, many clients use their out-of-network benefits to get reimbursed for a portion of session fees. I can provide a superbill (an itemized receipt) that you submit directly to your insurance company. It's worth a quick call to your provider to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits before we meet, you may be surprised by what's covered.
If you have questions about fees or want to talk through what this looks like practically, we can cover that in your free consultation.
Sessions are $338 for 90 minutes and $675 for 3-hour intensives.
EMDR is appropriate for people who are experiencing a wide range or mental health issues. It has been applied in many areas including, trauma, PTSD, anxiety and more. EMDR works best for people who are in a more or less stable place in their lives. If they are dealing with active substance issues, or severe mental health issues, some stabilization might be needed before engaging in EMDR.