Dr. Antonio D'Costa

MBBS, MD (Pediatrics) | EMDR Consultant

EMDR Certificate EMDRIA-Approved Training APA Logo Member (APA, USA) EMDRIA Logo Member (EMDRIA, USA)

Clinical Transparency & Community

As Head Moderator of the 50,000+ member r/EMDR community, my approach to trauma therapy is completely public. I integrate medical precision with deep protocol knowledge to provide transparent, evidence-based care.

You shouldn't have to waste time to find out if a therapist is a good fit. Read my clinical blog or browse my public Reddit profile to know exactly who you're working with before you book.

Schedule Appointment View Pricing & Rates

Online Teletherapy • Available in India, UK, Canada, UAE & EU • Reduced Rates Available

About EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a proven therapy recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and many international health authorities. EMDR helps you process difficult memories and experiences, allowing your natural healing to happen. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR works directly with how your brain stores memories, reducing their emotional impact.

How Does EMDR Work?

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation through guided eye movements to help your brain reprocess difficult memories. This allows distressing experiences to lose their emotional intensity while the factual memory remains. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require you to describe traumatic events in detail, making it more comfortable and less overwhelming for many people.

Parts, Attachment & Somatic-Informed EMDR

Some people notice confusing patterns: blocking of memories, sudden reactions you can't explain, feeling like you're watching yourself do things, or sabotaging your own progress. You might also notice unexplained physical sensations, chronic tension, or a sense that trauma lives somewhere in your body.

These patterns often stem from protective parts of yourself. My approach combines Parts-Informed and Attachment-Focused EMDR with somatic therapy principles. We work with these patterns instead of fighting them—collaborating with your internal parts and integrating somatic awareness. This is especially helpful for complex trauma, childhood abuse, or when standard therapy hasn't worked.

The 8 Phases of EMDR

A structured, evidence-based protocol designed to safely guide you from preparation to permanent resolution.

1
History & Planning We map your history, identify targets, and build a clear roadmap for processing.
2
Preparation You are equipped with stabilization tools before any trauma processing begins.
3
Assessment The target memory is identified along with its associated image, belief, and body sensation.
4
Desensitization Bilateral stimulation is used to process the memory until its emotional charge is fully cleared.
5
Installation A new, adaptive positive belief is strengthened and linked to the processed memory.
6
Body Scan Any remaining physical tension or disturbance held in the body is identified and cleared.
7
Closure Each session ends with stabilization so you leave grounded, regardless of where processing stands.
8
Reevaluation Progress is reviewed at the next session; the treatment plan is refined as targets are cleared.
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What Clients Are Saying

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"I was skeptical about online therapy, but Dr. D'Costa made me feel safe from the first session. After years of nightmares from a childhood accident, I finally feel like I can breathe again. The EMDR process was intense but gentle. I'm sleeping through the night now."

P
Priya S.
Margao, Goa
Trauma • Sleep Disorders

"I tried talk therapy for years with no progress. EMDR with Dr. D'Costa changed everything in just 8 sessions. He explained the science clearly, which helped me trust the process. The panic attacks that controlled my life for a decade are gone. I can travel alone now."

R
Rohan K.
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Panic Disorder • Agoraphobia

"As an Indian living in Canada, I struggled to find a therapist who understood both my cultural background and trauma. Dr. D'Costa's combination of medical knowledge and EMDR expertise was exactly what I needed. After 12 sessions, I've processed workplace trauma that was affecting my sleep."

K
Kiran S.
Toronto, Canada
Workplace Trauma

"Finding LGBTQ-affirming mental healthcare in India is hard. Dr. D'Costa created a space where I could be myself without explanation or shame. He understood the layers of trauma that come with identity struggles. EMDR helped me process years of family rejection, and I finally feel at peace with who I am."

A
Aditya M.
Bangalore, Karnataka
Identity Trauma • Depression

"Living in the UK made it difficult to find culturally appropriate trauma care. Dr. D'Costa understood my Indian background without me having to explain cultural nuances. The teletherapy worked brilliantly despite the time difference. After 10 sessions, I've processed childhood abuse I'd buried for 30 years. I'm finally free."

S
Sunita P.
London, UK
Childhood Trauma • PTSD

Client names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy. All testimonials represent real therapeutic outcomes.

When You Need EMDR (Not Just Talk Therapy)

Talk therapy helps you understand your problems. EMDR helps you resolve them.

How EMDR Is Different (and Faster):

  • Works with memory storage: Changes how traumatic memories are stored in your brain, reducing their emotional intensity permanently.
  • No need to describe details: You don't have to verbally recount traumatic events, making it less distressing.
  • Faster results: Research shows 84-90% of single-trauma clients no longer meet PTSD criteria after just 3 EMDR sessions.
  • Addresses body and brain: Processes both the cognitive and somatic (body-based) aspects of trauma simultaneously.

Conditions Treated with EMDR

About Dr. D'Costa

Dr. Antonio D'Costa

Dr. Antonio D'Costa

MBBS, MD (Pediatrics)
EMDR Consultant

Medical Education MD (Pediatrics) - KEM Hospital Mumbai
MBBS - Goa Medical College
EMDR Certification EMDRIA-Approved (USA)
Institute for Creative Mindfulness
Registrations Goa Medical Council: 3764
Member, APA (USA)
Member, EMDRIA (USA)

Dr. Antonio D'Costa works in a rural medical practice, where he saw that mental health concerns often went unrecognized. He met children with recurring nightmares, unexplained somatic pain, and social withdrawal. He also noticed parents carrying the weight of painful childhood experiences—physical punishment, verbal abuse, or family conflict—while trying to support their children despite their own unhealed wounds.

Other therapists were available, but specialized trauma therapy using EMDR was either unavailable or too expensive. Knowing his community finds traditional Western talk therapy uncomfortable, he chose EMDRIA-approved training with the Institute for Creative Mindfulness, whose approach uses methods that are more culturally appropriate.

Dr. D'Costa now provides EMDR therapy alongside his pediatric practice, offering medical care and trauma-focused therapy to address the connected physical and emotional health needs of families. He is committed to making proven mental healthcare accessible to those who would otherwise have no access.

🔒 Scope & Delivery

EMDR is a specialized trauma therapy. Services are available for ages 12+ globally, delivered exclusively via secure teletherapy video sessions.

🧠 Neurodivergent-Affirming

Welcoming autism, ADHD, and neurological differences. Sessions adapt to your sensory needs and processing style. No masking required.

🏳️‍🌈 Safe Space for All

Welcoming all gender identities, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds. You will receive judgment-free, competent care.

❤️ Emotional Intensity

A stable environment for navigating rejection sensitivity (RSD), borderline traits, and chronic emotional dysregulation without fear of abandonment.

Session Fees & Structure

Better Results, Less Time, Lower Total Cost

Talk Therapy: ~20 sessions over 1 year = ₹24,000
EMDR Therapy: ~8 sessions over 2 months = ₹24,000

Same total cost, but EMDR gets you results in months vs. a year. You get back to your life faster, and your total cost is often lower despite higher per-session rates.

Session Type
Investment
First Consult / Brief Check-in (15 min)
₹400 ($10 USD)
Standard EMDR Processing (60 min)
₹3,000 ($50 USD)
Complex EMDR Processing (90 min)
₹4,000 ($75 USD)
Reduced Fee / Sliding Scale (60 min)
₹2,500 ($40 USD)

🫂 Low-Barrier Access to Care

We dedicate time each week for those facing financial hardship, offering 50% subsidized and 100% free sessions. When booking any session, you are not required to provide explanations or justify your need. All slots open automatically exactly 15 days in advance on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is EMDR safe?

Yes, EMDR is a safe, evidence-based therapy recognized by the WHO. It has been extensively researched for over 30 years. You are always in control and can pause or stop at any time. We establish safety protocols before beginning any trauma processing.

Are you a psychiatrist?

No, I am a pediatrician (MD Pediatrics). Besides my pediatric practice, I specialize exclusively in EMDR therapy for trauma treatment. I do not diagnose psychiatric conditions or prescribe psychiatric medications.

Why are some sessions showing as unavailable?

All sessions open exactly 15 days in advance. If you see "unavailable" for dates more than 15 days out, that session hasn't opened yet—check back tomorrow. If it's within 15 days and unavailable, it is already booked. There is no gatekeeping; everything is automated.

Get in Touch

WhatsApp

+91 8806965342

Message

Email

support@drantoniodcosta.com

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