Trauma Therapy & EMDR for Addiction Treatment in Texas

Trauma therapy, including EMDR, has become an important approach for addiction treatment in Texas. Many individuals struggling with substance use have underlying traumatic experiences that contribute to cravings, relapse, and emotional distress. EMDR helps patients process these memories, reducing their emotional intensity and supporting healthier coping strategies. When combined with counseling, support programs, or medication-assisted treatment, trauma-focused therapy can strengthen recovery, improve emotional regulation, and promote long-term sobriety.

At Discovery Point Retreat, trauma therapy isn’t just part of our offerings. It’s the very heart of the way we treat addiction.

Addiction and Trauma

Addiction and trauma go hand in hand. At Discovery Point Retreat, we work under a trauma-informed care model, which assumes that everyone we come into contact with has had some sort of traumatic event happen in their life. 

It’s a chicken-or-egg scenario: Which came first, the trauma or the substance abuse? Trauma may not have been a specific event; it can be a dysfunctional family dynamic or relationship building over time that cause pain. These can fuel addiction and a need to find relief.

When a client comes in for drug rehab or alcohol rehab and presents with a trauma history, they often hold negative beliefs about themselves based on the trauma — shame, guilt, resentment. They often manifest physical symptoms as well, including increased anxiety, depression, emotional patterns like unstable relationships. We begin by identifying those symptoms, and use EMDR to help reprocess those memories and traumatic invents. When we reprocess them appropriately, they no longer experience the same degree of physical symptoms.

How EMDR Works

“EMDR” stands for eye movement desensitization reprocessing. When there’s a traumatic event or situation— whether it’s physical abuse, sexual abuse, a natural disaster, anything than can be considered traumatic — your body releases an influx of stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline. When they flood the brain, these hormones effectively shut off the parts of the brain that are responsible for reprocessing the traumatic events. EMDR was developed in 1987 by Francine Shapiro, a psychologist, as a therapy to help patients process and reduce the distress associated with traumatic memories. She discovered that specific eye movements could help the brain reprocess traumatic events, leading to decreased emotional intensity and improved coping.

When we go to sleep, our body goes through different stages including REM sleep — rapid eye movement. During this dreaming sleep, your eyes dart back and forth, which in turn triggers the part of your brain responsible for reprocessing the memories of that day. 

When you go through a traumatic event, that part of the brain is shut off due to the trauma chemicals — so it stops your brain from having the ability to process the event appropriately. When that happens, the brain goes into a fight or flight response, becoming skittish like a deer. That’s the natural trauma response, and is the source of PTSD and anxiety from traumatic events. The goal of EMDR is to utilize a set of eye movements to stimulate the part of the brain that can help you reprocess these memories appropriately.

EMDR therapy typically lasts several weeks to a few months, depending on the complexity of the trauma and the patient’s response to treatment. Each session usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes, during which the therapist guides the patient through structured phases, including identifying target memories, processing emotions, and using bilateral stimulation such as eye movements.

Sessions are often scheduled once or twice per week to maintain continuity and progress, though frequency may vary based on individual needs. Over time, the therapy focuses on specific goals, such as reducing distress from traumatic memories, improving emotional regulation, and developing healthier coping strategies. Many patients notice significant improvement after six to twelve sessions, but longer or ongoing treatment may be recommended for complex or multiple trauma experiences.

What Are EMDR and Trauma Therapy Like?

EMDR is a very specific modality. If you are engaging in EMDR, that will take up your full therapy hour, and it will likely require multiple therapy sessions. It’s an intense therapy and is emotionally charged because we’re dealing with difficult topics.

Can Trauma Therapy Help Me?

A lot of us have these traumatic events that happen to us, and they impact the way that we feel, the way we go about our relationships, the way we go about our daily lives. Being able to reprocess these events and emotions gives us greater relief. Anyone who is struggling with trauma and substance abuse can benefit greatly from EMDR. There is light at the end of that tunnel — especially being able to feel physical relief from the symptoms of trauma. 

What Can EMDR Treat?

EMDR can be used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, particularly those related to trauma and stress. It is most commonly applied to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to help patients process and reduce the emotional impact of traumatic memories. EMDR has also been used effectively for anxiety disorders, panic attacks, phobias, depression, grief, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Additionally, it can support individuals coping with performance anxiety, chronic pain, and certain behavioral or emotional challenges by helping the brain reprocess distressing experiences and develop healthier responses.

EMDR can play a significant role in addiction treatment by helping patients address underlying trauma, stress, or negative experiences that contribute to substance use. Many people struggling with addiction have unresolved traumatic memories that trigger cravings, emotional dysregulation, or relapse. Through EMDR, these memories are processed in a structured way, reducing the emotional intensity and the urge to use substances as a coping mechanism.

For example, a patient who developed alcohol dependence after repeated childhood trauma may work on processing those traumatic experiences, which can decrease anxiety, shame, or guilt linked to the trauma. Another patient recovering from opioid addiction might target stress-related memories that previously triggered relapse, helping them respond to triggers more calmly. EMDR can be used alongside counseling, support groups, and medication-assisted treatment to strengthen recovery, improve emotional regulation, and reduce the risk of relapse by addressing the psychological roots of addictive behaviors.

How Do I Know EMDR is Working?

Patients can gauge whether EMDR is working by observing changes in their emotional and cognitive responses to targeted memories. Before starting therapy, individuals often experience intense distress, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or strong negative emotions when recalling traumatic events. During and after a course of EMDR, many patients notice a reduction in the emotional intensity of these memories, fewer intrusive thoughts, and improved ability to reflect on past experiences without becoming overwhelmed. Additional signs of progress include better mood, decreased anxiety, improved sleep, and healthier coping strategies in daily life. Clinicians often track these changes over time, adjusting the therapy plan as needed to ensure continued improvement and goal attainment.

Who is EMDR Best For?

• Individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder or trauma-related symptoms
• Patients with anxiety disorders, panic attacks, or phobias
• Those struggling with depression or mood regulation issues
• People coping with grief or loss
• Individuals with obsessive-compulsive behaviors or intrusive thoughts
• Patients seeking alternatives to medication for emotional or behavioral challenges
• Those motivated to actively engage in therapy and process difficult memories
• Individuals who can participate in structured, outpatient sessions over multiple weeks

Who is Qualified to Perform EMDR?

EMDR should be performed by licensed mental health professionals who have received specialized training in the therapy. This typically includes psychologists, clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, and psychiatrists. Clinicians must complete approved EMDR training programs that cover the therapy’s structured phases, use of bilateral stimulation, and protocols for trauma processing.

How Much Does EMDR Cost in Texas?

EMDR therapy in Texas typically costs between $100 and $250 per 60- to 90-minute session. Some providers offer sliding scale fees based on income, which can reduce the cost to $50 to $150 per session. The total cost of a full course of treatment, which often involves 6 to 12 sessions or more, can range from $600 to $3,000 depending on the number of sessions and the provider’s rates.

Is EMDR for Addiction Covered by Insurance in Texas?

EMDR for addiction may be covered by insurance in Texas if it is part of a medically necessary treatment plan and provided by a licensed, in‑network therapist. Coverage is generally included under mental health or substance use benefits, but insurers may require prior authorization, documentation of medical necessity, or session limits. EMDR for addiction in Texas may be covered by many of the major health insurance providers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, and Humana.

Alternatives to EMDR for Addiction Treatment

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps patients identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute to substance use.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness skills to prevent relapse.
• 12-Step Programs: Peer support programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous that encourage accountability and community-based recovery.
• Motivational Interviewing: Uses guided conversation to strengthen motivation and commitment to change addictive behaviors.
• Eye Movement Integration Therapy: Similar to EMDR, uses eye movements to process traumatic memories and reduce triggers.
• Holistic Therapies: Includes yoga, meditation, art therapy, and acupuncture to support emotional balance and reduce cravings.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Combines FDA-approved medications with counseling to manage withdrawal, cravings, and co-occurring disorders.
• Residential or Intensive Outpatient Programs: Structured environments providing therapy, support groups, and skill-building for sustained recovery.

Trauma therapy and EMDR are a vital part of treatment at Discovery Point Retreat. We’re ready to help you heal.