Why Session Length Matters in EMDR Therapy
- CJ DeMarco
- Jul 15
- 3 min read
One of the questions I occasionally hear from clients is why I often recommend 90-minute EMDR sessions rather than a traditional 45- or 60-minute therapy session.
The answer isn't because longer sessions are always better.
It's because EMDR is different from talk therapy.
While conversation is certainly part of the process, EMDR also involves preparation, assessment, identifying a target, reprocessing, and making sure you feel emotionally regulated before leaving the session.
All of that takes time.
EMDR Isn't Just the Reprocessing
Before we begin reprocessing, we spend time checking in.
What's happened since we last met?
How have you been feeling?
Has anything changed?
Do we need to adjust today's plan?
Sometimes there are current stressors that need attention before beginning trauma work.
Sometimes there are important insights from the previous session that deserve space.
Sometimes your nervous system needs a little extra support before we begin.
Those moments aren't taking away from the work.
They are part of the work.
Creating Space for the Process
By the time we've checked in, reviewed where we left off, and prepared to begin reprocessing, a significant portion of a traditional therapy session may have passed.
That often leaves only a short period of time for the brain and nervous system to fully engage in the reprocessing itself before it's time to begin bringing the session to a close.
In a 90-minute session, there is often more opportunity to remain with the process.
Rather than feeling rushed, there is space for the brain and nervous system to continue making connections, explore what emerges, and integrate the work before we begin transitioning out of the session.
Every Session Is Different
Some EMDR sessions involve significant reprocessing.
Others focus on preparation, strengthening resources, developing coping skills, or addressing current life events that affect the work.
Healing isn't linear.
The needs of each session are determined by where you are that day and what will best support the work.
There are absolutely situations in which EMDR can be effectively incorporated into a traditional therapy session.
For some clients, that is the best fit.
For others, shorter sessions are what their schedule, finances, or nervous system can comfortably support.
Therapy should always be individualized.
My recommendation for 90-minute sessions is just that—a recommendation.
Together, we can determine what makes the most sense for your goals, your circumstances, and your overall treatment plan.
Creating the Conditions for Meaningful Work
One of the themes you'll find throughout my approach to EMDR is that healing is not about rushing the process.
It's about creating the conditions that allow meaningful work to unfold.
Sometimes, creating more space simply means extending a weekly session to 90 minutes.
Other times, a person may benefit from the unique structure of an EMDR Intensive, which provides dedicated time over one or more days to focus on a specific treatment goal.
The right approach depends on your needs, your goals, and what is clinically appropriate.
My role is to help determine what session format and length will best support your healing.
Because when we create enough space, the brain and nervous system often know exactly what they need to do.
About the Author
CJ DeMarco, MA, LPC, is the owner of Bodhi Counseling & Wellness in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. She specializes in EMDR therapy, trauma, anxiety, and Therapy Intensives, helping adults heal through thoughtful, individualized care that honors the connection between body, mind, and spirit.
Learn more about CJ's services:
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