Does EMDR Work Online?
Does EMDR Work Online?
Short answer: Absolutely, YES! I get this question a lot. And honestly, it makes total sense to wonder. EMDR has a reputation for being very in-the-room, very present, and people naturally assume you need to be sitting across from a therapist for it to work. I have been providing EMDR online for many years and it is just as profoundly effective as it is in person.
So, let me walk you through what EMDR actually is, how it translates online, and what you can do to set yourself up for a really good experience.
First, What Is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It was developed in the late 1980s by a psychologist named Dr. Francine Shapiro, and it was originally created to help people process traumatic memories.
The basic idea is that some memories get stuck. Not just emotionally, but neurologically. They stay raw and unprocessed, which is why something can happen years ago and still feel like it just happened yesterday. EMDR uses something called bilateral stimulation, usually side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or sounds, to help your brain actually finish processing those memories so they stop feeling so heavy.
It’s one of the most well-researched trauma treatments out there. The World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the VA all recognize it as effective for PTSD. It also helps with anxiety, depression, phobias, and a lot more.
How Does It Actually Work on a Screen?
This is where people get curious and ask all the questions! The therapy itself follows the same process whether we’re in the same room or on a video call. What changes is just how we do the bilateral stimulation.
A few options that work really well virtually:
• I use a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform that has a built-in light bar. You follow a light moving across your screen.
• Self-tapping is really common with online clients. You alternate tapping your knees or shoulders (we call that a butterfly tap!). A lot of people prefer this because it feels grounding.
• Alternating sounds through headphones are another option. The platform I use also has this option.
Something I’ve noticed is that some clients actually open up more at home than they do in an office. Being in your own space, in your own chair, with your own stuff around you can make the process feel a little less clinical and a little more like just... talking.
Does the Research Back This Up?
Absolutely, yes! This isn’t just therapists saying “I think this works okay online.” There is real research behind it.
Studies comparing virtual and in-person EMDR have found that outcomes are comparable. Studies have looked specifically at remote delivery and found it was effective and well-tolerated. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9559741/ ; https://spj.science.org/doi/10.1891/EMDR-D-20-00041 ). Researchers have noted that therapists were able to follow the protocol just as closely online as in person.
Virtual EMDR may not be the right fit for absolutely everyone. But for most people, the evidence is genuinely reassuring!
A Few Things That Help
If you decide to try virtual EMDR, here are some things I always tell clients beforehand:
• Find somewhere private. This is a must. You want to be able to talk freely without worrying about someone overhearing. Even just closing a door makes a difference.
• Use headphones if you can. The audio quality is better, and it helps with bilateral sound if we go that route.
• Test your connection before we start. A freezing screen mid-session is not great for anyone, so a quick check beforehand saves a lot of hassle. This certainly can happen and is something to note however I have never had this happen in session.
• Have something comforting nearby. A blanket, a glass of water, your pet if they like to hang around. EMDR can bring up some emotions and it’s nice to have things close that feel safe.
• Tell me what’s working and what isn’t. Seriously. Virtual sessions are something we figure out together and your feedback genuinely shapes how we work.
Ready to Give It a Try?
Virtual EMDR has made it possible for so many more people to access this kind of work. No commute, no waiting room, no rearranging your whole day. Just you, a private space, and a therapist who knows how to guide you through this.
If you’ve been on the fence, I’d encourage you to reach out. We can talk through whether it’s a good fit for you before committing to anything. That’s what the first conversation is for.
If you would like more information on EMDR:
https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr-therapy-layperson/