EMDR therapy in Asheville, NC

If you're looking for an EMDR therapist in Asheville, this page covers the practical questions — who I work with, what sessions actually look like, and how to get started. For the full explanation of what EMDR is and how it works, that's here.

what I use EMDR for

EMDR is one of the primary tools I reach for in trauma work. But it's not only for trauma in the traditional sense. I use EMDR with clients carrying:

• trauma and PTSD — single-event, complex, and relational
• anxiety that hasn't shifted with other approaches
• OCD — especially alongside ERP for intrusive-thought presentations
• grief and loss
• attachment wounds and early relational experiences
• persistent low self-worth or shame that has roots somewhere specific

If you're not sure whether EMDR fits what you're carrying, that's a good thing to talk through on a consult call. I'd rather give you an honest answer than have you wonder.

what EMDR sessions look like at Monday Counseling

I offer 80-minute EMDR sessions. Standard 50-minute slots often feel rushed for this kind of work — there's setup time, processing time, and you need real time to ground at the end. 80 minutes changes what's possible.

Most of my EMDR work happens virtually. Audio tones or self-tapping instead of a light bar. Research consistently shows virtual EMDR works just as well as in-person — and for a lot of clients, being in a familiar space actually makes the processing easier, not harder. If you're anywhere in North Carolina, virtual EMDR is a real option.

We don't skip the foundation. EMDR works best when you're resourced enough to handle the work without being overwhelmed by it. We spend real time building that before moving into processing. This isn't stalling — it's how the protocol is designed to work, and it's what separates good EMDR from rushed EMDR.

EMDR for anxiety and OCD — not just trauma

Anxiety often has roots. Specific experiences, early messages, the accumulated weight of living in a particular environment. EMDR can reach those roots in ways that cognitive approaches sometimes can't, because it works with the memory directly rather than trying to reason around it.

For OCD specifically, EMDR and ERP can work alongside each other. ERP addresses the behavioral patterns. EMDR can address underlying trauma or core beliefs that maintain the OCD cycle. I have specific training and experience with this combination — it's one of the more useful things I do in that work.

who I work with

I work with adults and teens 16 and up. I'm particularly drawn to clients carrying complex or developmental trauma — the kind that built up over years rather than from a single event — and to clients who've tried talk therapy and felt like they were going in circles without quite knowing why.

I also work with a lot of people in helping professions: therapists, teachers, social workers, nurses. People who give a lot and tend to put their own processing last. They're often some of the most insight-rich and most stuck clients I see — and EMDR tends to reach things that their own self-analysis hasn't been able to.

If you're in Asheville, NC or anywhere in North Carolina and looking for an EMDR therapist — I'm currently accepting new clients.

common questions about EMDR therapy in Asheville, NC

do you offer EMDR therapy in Asheville, NC?

Yes. I'm Lindsey Smith, LCSWA, an EMDR-trained therapist in Asheville, NC. I offer 80-minute EMDR sessions in Asheville and virtually with clients anywhere in North Carolina. Currently accepting new clients.

how long are EMDR sessions?

80 minutes. Standard 50-minute slots often feel rushed — EMDR needs time to set up, process, and close properly. 80 minutes allows for deeper processing and better pacing for your nervous system overall. Cost is $190 per session (self-pay).

do you take insurance for EMDR?

I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield NC, Aetna, MedCost, and the NC State Health Plan through a partner practice. HSA and FSA funds can be used for self-pay sessions. If you're not sure what your coverage looks like, reach out and we can talk through it.

can I do EMDR therapy virtually in North Carolina?

Yes, and this is the most common question I get. I do most of my EMDR work virtually using audio tones or self-tapping instead of a light bar. Research consistently shows it works just as well. If you're in Asheville, Charlotte, the Triangle, or anywhere else in NC — virtual EMDR is a real and effective option.

how do I know if I'm a good candidate for EMDR?

EMDR tends to work well for people who feel stuck in patterns connected to past experiences. You don't need a specific diagnosis, a clear story about what happened, or certainty that it was "bad enough." If something is getting in your way and other approaches haven't moved it, a free 15-minute consult is the right place to start.