Virtual EMDR & Trauma Therapy in New York
I'm Heidi Esparrago Zeppelin, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and EMDRIA Certified Therapist licensed throughout New York State. My New York practice is entirely virtual, which means the question isn't how far you live from an office — it's whether you have a private hour and a door that closes.
Where in New York I Work
State licensure covers the whole state, so I see New York clients from:
- New York City & the five boroughs
- Long Island — Nassau & Suffolk
- Westchester & the Hudson Valley
- The Capital Region — Albany, Troy, Schenectady
- Central New York — Syracuse, Utica, Binghamton
- Western New York — Buffalo, Rochester, Niagara
- The Southern Tier & North Country
One practical note: because a therapist's license follows the client's physical location, you need to be within New York State during our sessions. If you split time between states or are planning a move, mention it early and we'll plan around it.
What EMDR Looks Like Over Video
EMDR depends on bilateral stimulation — a left-right rhythm that lets the brain reprocess a memory while you stay grounded in the present. That adapts to video more directly than people expect:
- • On-screen visual movement you follow with your eyes
- • Alternating audio tones through your headphones
- • Guided self-tapping, which many clients end up preferring
- • The same eight-phase EMDR protocol used in person, at the same pace
Setting Up for a Session
Sessions run on HIPAA-compliant video software that opens from a link — nothing to install, no account to create. What actually matters is the room: somewhere you will not be interrupted, headphones so the audio stays private, and a device you can prop up rather than hold. Trauma work asks a lot of you, and it goes better when you aren't also managing who might walk in.
Virtual-Only in New York
There is no in-person office in New York, and no New York waiting list for one. If you are able to travel, in-person EMDR Intensives run out of my North Carolina offices in Wilmington and Surf City — an option some New York clients use to do concentrated work in a few days rather than weekly sessions. The EMDR Intensives page covers how those are structured.
Insurance Accepted in New York
New York plans I am in network with:
- Aetna
- Anthem BCBS of New York
- Carelon
- Cigna
- Optum
- Oscar Health
- Oxford
- UHC
- UMR
- United Healthcare
Self-pay is also accepted, with a superbill available for out-of-network reimbursement. Out-of-network mental health benefits vary by plan, so it is worth asking your insurer what they reimburse. The FAQ page goes into cost and coverage in more detail.
Common Questions About Virtual Therapy in New York
- Do you accept insurance in New York?
- Yes. In New York I am in network with Aetna, Anthem BCBS of New York, Carelon, Cigna, Optum, Oscar Health, Oxford, UHC, UMR, United Healthcare. I also accept self pay and can provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement.
- Do I need to live in New York City to work with you?
- No. I am licensed throughout New York State, so I see clients from the five boroughs, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, the Capital Region, Central and Western New York, and everywhere between. Because sessions are virtual, your distance from any office is irrelevant.
- Does EMDR actually work over video?
- Yes. EMDR relies on bilateral stimulation, which adapts to a video session using on-screen visual movement, alternating audio tones, or guided self-tapping. Research into virtually delivered EMDR has found it effective for trauma and PTSD symptoms.
- Do I have to be physically in New York during our session?
- Yes. Therapist licensure follows the client's physical location, so New York clients need to be within New York State at the time of each session. If you are moving or travelling, tell me in advance and we can plan around it.
- What do I need for a virtual EMDR session?
- A private space where you will not be interrupted, a reliable internet connection, headphones, and a device with a camera. Sessions run on HIPAA-compliant video software that opens from a link — there is no account to create.
Start Virtual Therapy in New York
Call or text: (910) 541-1721
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