If you're searching for EMDR therapy in Goa, you're likely dealing with trauma, anxiety, PTSD, or painful memories that traditional talk therapy hasn't fully resolved. The challenge? Goa has very few EMDR practitioners, and finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming. This comprehensive 2025 guide answers all your questions about EMDR therapy in Goa, including how it works, what it costs, and how to book your first session.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's a type of psychotherapy specifically designed to help people heal from trauma and distressing life experiences.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn't require you to talk in detail about what happened to you. Instead, it helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories so they lose their emotional intensity.
When you experience trauma—whether it's childhood abuse, a car accident, bullying, workplace harassment, or any overwhelming experience—your brain sometimes can't process the memory properly. The memory gets "stuck" in your nervous system in its raw, unprocessed form.
Years later, when something reminds you of that event, your body reacts as if the threat is happening RIGHT NOW. That's why you might feel sudden panic, overwhelming fear or anger, physical symptoms, intrusive thoughts, or difficulty trusting others.
EMDR helps your brain reprocess these memories properly. The memory doesn't disappear—but it loses its emotional charge. You can remember what happened without reliving it.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy was originally developed for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but research has shown it's effective for many other conditions:
EMDR is particularly effective for:
- Childhood trauma (abuse, neglect, bullying)
- Anxiety disorders and panic attacks
- Depression
- PTSD and Complex PTSD
- Phobias
- Grief and loss
- Performance anxiety
- Relationship trauma
- Workplace trauma and harassment
- Low self-esteem and self-worth issues
- People-pleasing and boundary issues
Common signs you might benefit from EMDR:
- You've been in talk therapy for months or years but still struggle with the same issues
- You understand WHY you feel anxious/depressed but can't seem to change it
- You have physical symptoms (tension, migraines, stomach issues) that doctors can't explain
- You experience flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts
- Certain situations trigger intense emotional reactions that feel "out of proportion"
- You avoid people, places, or situations because they trigger distressing feelings
EMDR Therapy in Goa: Current Landscape
The reality: Goa has a very limited number of EMDR-trained therapists.
As of 2025, there are only 2-3 practicing EMDR therapists physically based in Goa. Across all of India, there are approximately 200-250 certified EMDR practitioners—compared to tens of thousands of general therapists.
This scarcity creates challenges: long wait times for appointments, higher costs due to limited supply, difficulty finding a therapist whose approach fits your needs, and limited options if you don't connect with the first therapist you try.
The Solution: Online EMDR Therapy
Post-COVID, online EMDR therapy has become increasingly accepted and effective. Research shows that EMDR delivered via video call is just as effective as in-person sessions for most people. This means you can access qualified EMDR therapists across India—including me—regardless of where you're physically located.
What to Expect: From Screening to Processing
Step 1: Screening Call (₹400, 15 minutes)
Before committing to full sessions, we start with a brief screening call to assess whether EMDR is the right fit for your situation.
In this 15-minute call, we'll discuss what you're currently struggling with, a brief overview of your history, whether EMDR makes sense for your specific issues, and what to expect if we move forward.
This is a low-pressure conversation—just to see if we're a good match. No commitment required.
Step 2: First Full Session (₹3,000, 60 minutes)
If we both feel EMDR is appropriate, we schedule your first full session, which includes detailed history-taking, identifying target memories to process, teaching grounding techniques, creating your treatment plan, and answering all your questions.
Step 3: Trauma Processing Sessions (₹3,000, 60 minutes)
Following sessions focus on EMDR processing: identifying specific traumatic memories, noticing associated images and emotions, using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, sounds, or taps), processing the memory, and installing positive beliefs.
Most people need 6-12 sessions total, though it varies based on complexity. Simple single-incident trauma may resolve in 3-6 sessions. Complex childhood trauma typically takes 10-15 sessions.
Start Your Healing Journey Today
Dr. Antonio D'Costa offers online EMDR therapy sessions for clients across India. Experience evidence-based trauma treatment from the comfort of your home.
Book Your Screening Call (₹400)How Much Does EMDR Therapy Cost in Goa?
My Pricing:
- Screening call: ₹400 (15 minutes) - To assess if EMDR is right for you
- Full EMDR sessions: ₹3,000 (60 minutes) - History, assessment, and trauma processing
Total Treatment Cost:
- Single-incident trauma (car accident, one-time event): ₹9,000 - ₹18,000 (3-6 sessions)
- Moderate trauma: ₹18,000 - ₹30,000 (6-10 sessions)
- Complex childhood trauma: ₹30,000 - ₹45,000 (10-15 sessions)
Why EMDR is Worth the Investment:
While individual sessions may seem expensive, EMDR tends to be significantly shorter-term than traditional talk therapy.
Cost comparison: Talk therapy costs 52 weeks × ₹2,500/session = ₹1,30,000/year (and may take 2-3 years for trauma). EMDR therapy costs 10 sessions × ₹3,000 = ₹30,000 total (plus ₹400 screening). EMDR often produces results in months rather than years, making the total investment substantially lower.
Online EMDR Therapy: Does It Work?
Short answer: Yes. Research conducted during and after COVID-19 has shown that online EMDR therapy is just as effective as in-person sessions for most people.
Benefits of Online EMDR:
- Access therapists across India (not limited to Goa)
- No commute time
- More flexible scheduling
- Comfortable environment (your own home)
- Easier to fit into busy work schedules
What You Need for Online EMDR:
- Stable internet connection
- Private, quiet space
- Laptop or phone with camera
- Headphones (for bilateral audio stimulation)
How bilateral stimulation works online: Instead of watching my hand move left-right in person, you'll either watch a moving dot on your screen (visual), listen to alternating sounds in headphones (auditory), or use self-administered tapping (tactile). All three methods are equally effective.
How to Book EMDR Therapy in Goa
Ready to explore if EMDR is right for you?
Start with a low-risk ₹400 screening call (15 min) to assess fit: Click to schedule
In this brief call, we'll discuss what you're struggling with, determine if EMDR makes sense for your situation, answer your questions, and decide together if we should move forward.
No pressure. No hard sell. Just an honest conversation about whether EMDR therapy is the right approach for you.
If we're a good match, we'll schedule your first full session (₹3,000, 60 min) where we dive deeper into your history and begin building your treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy
Is EMDR therapy safe?
Yes. EMDR is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), American Psychological Association (APA), and Indian Psychiatric Society as an effective treatment for trauma.
Will I have to talk about my trauma in detail?
No. You identify the memory, but you don't have to describe what happened in detail. EMDR works by helping your brain reprocess—not by talking it through repeatedly.
What if I start crying or get emotional during a session?
That's completely normal and okay. Crying is part of processing. We'll go at YOUR pace, and you can take breaks whenever needed.
How many sessions will I need?
It varies. Single-incident traumas might resolve in 3-6 sessions. Complex childhood trauma typically takes 10-15 sessions. We'll reassess progress regularly.
Can EMDR make things worse?
Temporarily, you might feel more emotional as memories surface. This is part of the healing process. I'll teach you grounding techniques to manage these feelings, and we won't process more than you can handle.
Why should I choose you over other EMDR therapists?
I bring a unique perspective as both a pediatrician (MD Pediatrics, Mumbai) and EMDR therapist. My background in child development means I can explain exactly what was happening to your brain and nervous system during childhood trauma. This understanding often helps adults have more compassion for themselves as they heal.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
You've survived 100% of your hardest days. You're stronger than you think.
But surviving isn't the same as thriving.
If childhood trauma, anxiety, or painful memories are still affecting your daily life—your relationships, your work, your peace of mind—EMDR therapy can help.
Book Your Screening Call Today
Start with a ₹400 screening call to explore whether EMDR is right for you. Located in Goa or anywhere in India. Online sessions via Google Meet. Flexible scheduling.
Schedule NowYou deserve to heal. And healing is possible.