Online EMDR Therapy: What to Expect and How It Helps
During the pandemic, so much of your life shifted online — work, connection, even healthcare. You may have discovered that you actually prefer the flexibility and comfort of virtual services. Fortunately, online therapy has been shown to be just as effective as face to face therapy for most mental health concerns.
You’re interested in EMDR therapy, but can it really be done online?
online emdr therapy in california, Nevada & Idaho
Yes! EMDR therapy can absolutely be done online.
I’ll be honest — when telehealth first became the norm, I was skeptical too. I couldn’t quite imagine how EMDR, which relies on eye movements and other bilateral stimulation, could translate to an online format. But as technology evolved, it quickly became clear that virtual EMDR can be both effective and deeply healing.
How EMDR Therapy Works Online
First, there are several EMDR websites that have emerged to assist with online EMDR. I use Bilateral Base for my online therapy sessions. This technology offers eye movements in the form of a ball that moves across your computer screen. Another option available is auditory stimulation via your headphones. Some of my clients like to use one or the other - or both!
Some people prefer to use tactile stimulation, rather than eye movements or auditory tones. There are two solutions to this! First, you can do your own tapping on your shoulders or your knees during the EMDR sets. Some people like to use the butterfly hug. I’ve also had a handful of clients purchase their own EMDR buzzers, which they turn off and on during our sessions at my direction. If you have specific questions about why we use eye movements (and other stimuli) in EMDR, you can check out this blog.
And if you happen to be a licensed clinician interested in learning more about ethical and evidence-based telehealth practices, I also offer continuing education as an APA-Approved Sponsor. You can learn more about my course, Telehealth: Efficacy, Laws, and Ethics, which explores the laws, ethics, and best practices that make virtual care both effective and compliant.
I hope this blog helped you understand how online EMDR therapy can work for you. If you have questions about the effectiveness of online EMDR therapy, you can review the ongoing research here!
If you’d like to try online EMDR therapy, click here to book a free 15 minute video consultation for online EMDR Therapy and PTSD treatment in California, Nevada & Idaho.
