10 Highly Recommended Los Angeles, California EMDR Therapy Specialists
Trauma has a way of staying with us—in our bodies, our relationships, and our everyday lives. If you’re feeling stuck in patterns you can’t break, reliving painful memories, or struggling to move forward, you’re not alone. At Yellow Chair Collective, our Los Angeles EMDR therapists offer a compassionate, culturally responsive approach to help you process trauma and reclaim your life. Contact us when you’re ready to begin.
Find an EMDR therapist
Specializes in EMDR, trauma, and anger management: Celia Chen
Specializes in EMDR and co-occurring addiction and trauma: Lena Tran
Specializes in EMDR and the LGBTQIA+ experience: Eliza Yoon Renner
Specializes in EMDR and anxiety: Solji Kim
Specializes in EMDR, burnout, and perfectionism: Isaac Kim
Specializes in EMDR and grief: Razdeep Kaur
Specializes in EMDR and disordered eating: Jennifer Gold
Specializes in EMDR and Highly Sensitive People (HSP): Catherine Vu
- Specializes in EMDR and parenting: Soo Jin Lee
- Specializes in EMDR and ADHD: Linda Yoon
Meet our Los Angeles EMDR therapists
1. Celia Chen
Specializes in EMDR, trauma, and anger management
Offers EMDR therapy ✓
Credentials: Associate Social Worker
Clientele: Couples and older adults
Location: California, in-person in Arcadia, CA
Virtual therapy? Yes
2. Lena Tran
Specializes in EMDR and co-occurring addiction and trauma
Offers EMDR therapy ✓
Credentials: Associate Clinical Social Worker
Clientele: Couples, families, and older adults
Location: California
Virtual therapy? Yes
3. Eliza Yoon Renner
Specializes in EMDR and the LGBTQIA+ experience
Offers EMDR therapy ✓
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Clientele: Adults
Location: California, Oregon, and Washington
Virtual therapy? Yes
4. Solji Kim
Specializes in EMDR and anxiety
Offers EMDR therapy ✓
Credentials: Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Clientele: Teens and adults
Location: California and Oregon
Virtual therapy? Yes
5. Isaac Kim
Specializes in EMDR, burnout, and perfectionism
Offers EMDR therapy ✓
Credentials: Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Clientele: Teens, adults, and families
Location: California
Virtual therapy? Yes
6. Razdeep Kaur
Specializes in EMDR and grief
Offers EMDR therapy ✓
Credentials: Associate Clinical Social Worker
Clientele: Teens and adults
Location: California
Virtual therapy? Yes
7. Jennifer Gold
Specializes in EMDR and disordered eating
Offers EMDR therapy ✓
Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Clientele: Children, teens, adults, couples, and families
Location: California, in-person in Arcadia, CA
Virtual therapy? Yes
8. Catherine Vu
Specializes in EMDR and Highly Sensitive People (HSP)
Offers EMDR therapy ✓
Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Clientele: Children, teens, and young adults
Location: California
Virtual therapy? Yes, in CA and OR
9. Soo Jin Lee
Specializes in EMDR and parenting
Offers EMDR therapy ✓
Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Clientele: Teens, couples, families, and older adults
Location: California
Virtual therapy? Yes
10. Linda Yoon
Specializes in EMDR and ADHD
Offers EMDR therapy ✓
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Clientele: Adults
Location: California
Virtual therapy? Yes
What to expect from the therapy process
Phase 1: History taking and treatment planning
Your therapist will learn about your background, identify traumatic memories or distressing experiences to target, and develop a personalized treatment plan that feels safe and manageable for you.
Phase 2: Preparation and resource building
Before processing trauma, you’ll learn grounding techniques and coping skills to help you feel emotionally regulated and safe throughout the EMDR process.
Phase 3: Desensitization and reprocessing
Using bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), your therapist will guide you in reprocessing traumatic memories, allowing your brain to naturally heal and reduce emotional distress.
Phase 4: Installation and closure
You’ll strengthen positive beliefs about yourself, ensure you feel stable before leaving each session, and continue building resilience as you move forward in your healing journey.
Common reasons why people seek EMDR therapy
Childhood trauma or emotional neglect
Sexual, physical, or emotional abuse
Witnessing or experiencing violence
Car accidents or medical trauma
Loss of a loved one or complicated grief
Racial trauma or discrimination
Intergenerational and immigration trauma
Persistent anxiety, panic attacks, or phobias
PTSD or complex PTSD symptoms
Feeling emotionally stuck despite talk therapy
Nightmares or intrusive thoughts
Difficulty trusting others or forming relationships
Low self-worth or shame related to past experiences
Work-related trauma or burnout
How EMDR counseling can help
Reprocess traumatic memories without re-traumatization
EMDR allows your brain to heal from distressing experiences without requiring you to talk through every painful detail. Through bilateral stimulation, you can process trauma in a way that often feels safer and less overwhelming than traditional talk therapy.
Reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD
Many clients notice significant relief from intrusive thoughts, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional reactivity. EMDR helps calm your nervous system and break the cycle of trauma responses that have been keeping you stuck.
Rebuild confidence and self-worth
Trauma often leaves us with negative beliefs about ourselves—”I’m not good enough,” “I’m unsafe,” or “I’m powerless.” EMDR helps replace these beliefs with empowering truths, allowing you to see yourself with compassion and strength.
Create lasting change more quickly
EMDR is an efficient, evidence-based treatment that can produce meaningful results in less time than traditional therapy. While everyone’s healing journey is unique, many clients experience relief after just a few focused sessions.
FAQs about EMDR psychotherapy
Is EMDR typically covered by insurance?
Yes, EMDR therapy is often covered by insurance. At Yellow Chair Collective, many of our EMDR therapists accept insurance plans including Aetna, Cigna, Anthem Blue Cross, and United Healthcare/Optum. We can also provide superbills for PPO plans for out-of-network reimbursement. Learn more about our fees and insurance here.
What does an EMDR therapist do?
An EMDR therapist guides you through a structured process to help your brain reprocess traumatic memories. They’ll use bilateral stimulation, which often take the form of guided eye movements, while you focus on distressing experiences, helping your brain naturally heal and reduce emotional intensity around those memories. You’re in control of the process the entire time, and therapy progresses at your pace.
Is online EMDR as effective as in-person EMDR?
Yes, research shows that online EMDR is highly effective. Many clients find virtual therapy more accessible and comfortable, allowing them to process trauma from the safety of their own home. Your therapist will use the same evidence-based techniques adapted for a virtual setting.
How does online EMDR work?
During online EMDR sessions, your therapist will guide you through the same eight-phase process via secure video. Bilateral stimulation can be carried out by following a moving dot on your screen, tapping your shoulders alternately, or using audio tones through headphones—all effectively replicating the in-person experience.
Who is EMDR not recommended for?
EMDR may not be appropriate for individuals currently experiencing acute psychosis, severe dissociation without proper stabilization, or active crisis. Your therapist will assess your readiness and may focus on building coping skills first to ensure you feel safe and grounded before beginning trauma processing. If you’re not sure whether EMDR is right for you, schedule a consultation with one of our care coordinators so we can discuss your situation directly.
How do I know if EMDR therapy is right for me?
EMDR therapy may be right for you if you’ve experienced trauma and feel stuck in your healing journey. It’s especially effective if you’ve tried talk therapy and it hasn’t been enough to help you see the results you’re seeking. The best way to know is to schedule a free consultation with our care coordinator to discuss your needs and goals.