Beachside Teen Treatment Center
EMDR Therapy for Teens
Trauma doesn’t always look the way people expect. It can show up as depression, explosive anger, panic attacks, or a teen who simply seems unreachable. EMDR therapy can help teens process trauma to heal from their symptoms.
Contact us today to begin treatment at Beachside Teen Treatment Center.
At Beachside Teen Treatment Center, we use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help teenagers heal from the experiences that are keeping them stuck. It’s one of the most effective, evidence-based trauma treatments available, and it works.
Contact us today to learn more about teen therapy in Los Angeles.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is a structured psychotherapy approach designed to help people process and recover from traumatic memories and distressing life experiences.Â
It was developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro and has since become one of the most well-researched trauma treatments in the world. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require teens to narrate their trauma in detail. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation, typically guided eye movements, to help the brain process stuck memories in a new way.
How EMDR Works
When we experience something traumatic, the brain sometimes fails to process the memory normally. It gets stored in a raw, fragmented state. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (side-to-side eye movements, taps, or tones) to activate both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously, mimicking the natural processing that occurs during REM sleep.
The result is, eventually, traumatic memories lose their emotional charge. They don’t disappear, but they stop feeling like an emergency every time they surface.
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Why EMDR Works Well for Teenagers
Adolescents are often reluctant to talk about what they’ve been through. EMDR’s non-verbal, body-based approach removes much of that barrier. Teens don’t have to find the words; the brain does the work.
EMDR is also faster-acting than many traditional therapies, which matters for adolescents who need to see progress to stay engaged. And because it targets the root cause (the unprocessed memory itself) rather than just managing symptoms, the results tend to be deep and lasting.
What EMDR Can Help Teens With
EMDR therapy for teens is effective for a wide range of conditions, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression and persistent sadness
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Grief and loss
- Trauma from abuse, neglect, or bullying
- Trauma related to accidents or medical events
- Low self-esteem rooted in past experiences
- Substance use connected to unresolved trauma
The Eight Phases of EMDR
EMDR follows a standardized eight-phase protocol. Each phase has a specific purpose, and together they guide the teen safely through processing and resolution.
Phase 1 — History Taking
The therapist gets to know the teen, identifies target memories for processing, and develops a treatment plan. This phase is about building understanding, not diving into trauma.
Phase 2 — Preparation
The teen learns what EMDR involves and develops coping tools — grounding techniques and calming strategies — to use if distressing emotions arise between sessions. No processing happens yet.
Phase 3 — Assessment
The therapist and teen identify the specific memory to target, the negative belief associated with it (e.g., “I am not safe”), and the positive belief the teen would like to hold instead. Emotional distress and body sensations are also measured.
Phase 4 — Desensitization
This is the core of EMDR. The teen focuses on the target memory while following the therapist’s bilateral stimulation. Distressing feelings are processed in sets until the memory no longer carries the same emotional weight.
Phase 5 — Installation
The therapist helps strengthen the positive belief identified in Phase 3, pairing it with the now-processed memory until it feels fully true.
Phase 6 — Body Scan
The teen is guided to scan their body for any remaining tension or discomfort connected to the memory. If found, it is targeted and processed.
Phase 7 — Closure
Every session ends with a return to stability. The therapist uses calming techniques to ensure the teen feels grounded and safe before leaving, whether or not processing is complete.
Phase 8 — Reevaluation
At the start of each new session, the therapist checks in on previously processed memories and assesses progress. New targets may be identified as treatment continues.
Is EMDR Safe for Teenagers?
Yes. EMDR has been extensively studied in adolescent populations and has a strong safety record. The protocol is specifically designed to keep clients within a manageable range of emotional activation.
That said, EMDR does involve revisiting difficult memories, which is why it’s best done within a structured residential or clinical setting where support is always available. At Beachside, teens are never going through this process alone.
How Long Does EMDR Take?
The number of EMDR sessions needed varies depending on the teen’s history and the complexity of their trauma. Some teens experience meaningful relief in as few as 6 to 12 sessions. Others with more complex trauma histories may require longer treatment.
Within Beachside’s residential program, EMDR is integrated into the teen’s broader treatment plan, allowing progress to build week by week in a consistent, supportive environment.
EMDR as Part of Beachside's Trauma Treatment
EMDR is most powerful when it’s part of a comprehensive treatment plan. At Beachside, it works alongside therapies like CBT, DBT, and interpersonal therapy to address trauma from every angle.
Our Malibu campus provides the ideal setting for this work. Removed from the stress and triggers of daily life in Los Angeles, teens have the space and safety to go deep, process what’s been holding them back, and begin building a new relationship with their past.
Begin Trauma Treatment for Your Teen
Your teen’s trauma is real and it is treatable. EMDR therapy for teens has helped countless young people move from survival mode to genuine healing, and it can do the same for your child.
Beachside Teen Treatment Center serves families throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. Our admissions team is available now to answer your questions, walk you through what treatment looks like, and verify your insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Not in detail. EMDR targets memories through focused attention and bilateral stimulation, not extended verbal retelling. Many teens find this a significant relief.
Most teens follow a therapist’s moving finger or a light bar with their eyes. Some sessions use alternating taps on the hands or knees, or tones delivered through headphones. It’s gentle and non-invasive.
Yes. EMDR is compatible with psychiatric medication and is often used alongside it for teens with depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
Therapists are trained to recognize signs of overwhelm and have specific techniques to slow down or pause processing as needed. Phase 2 preparation ensures every teen has grounding tools before any processing begins.
Most major insurance plans cover EMDR as part of mental health treatment. Our admissions team will verify your benefits and explain your options at no cost.
Mark Paladini
Director of Education
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At Beachside, our programming meets the highest standards for quality adolescent healthcare.
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Meet Our Trusted, Compassionate Care Team
When left untreated, adolescent behavioral health issues can lead to lifelong struggles with mental health and addiction. We’re here to help your child discover healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress and mental health symptoms. Our team is a diverse group of professionals who are here to provide for your child’s needs throughout their treatment program.
Eli Wayne
Dr. Michael Louie
Dr. Shilpa Jindani
Physician
Mark Paladini
Eli Wayne
Dr. Michael Louie
Dr. Shilpa Jindani