Can I Do EMDR via Telehealth?
Short answer: Yes.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is just as effective online as it is in person. Thanks to advances in telehealth technology, EMDR therapy can now be accessed from the comfort of their own home, using secure platforms and specialised tools.

How Does EMDR Work Online?
The key part of EMDR is something called bilateral stimulation (BLS), a technique that helps the brain process distressing memories. When you attend therapy in person, this may involve the therapist guiding your eye movements or holding smaller buzzers that gently vibrate from left to right, and/or listening to sounds that alternate from your left to right ear hrough headphones.

In telehealth sessions, we use a program called Bilateral Base. It’s a simple tool designed for remote EMDR sessions. You’ll receive a secure link during your session, and with a few clicks, you’re connected.

You can choose from two main options:

• Auditory BLS – You’ll hear gentle tones that alternate between your left and right ear (headphones are helpful here).

• Visual BLS – You’ll follow a moving dot across your screen, left to right, replicating the same eye movements we’d use in person.

The therapist can adjust the rhythm and type of stimulation, just like they would in the room with you.

What Do I Need for Online EMDR?

• A quiet, private space 

• A stable internet connection

• Headphones (for the auditory option)

• A computer or tablet

Does It Feel the Same?
While it’s a different format, online EMDR can be just as engaging and effective as in-person treatment. It allows you to work at your own pace, in a familiar environment, with the same level of attunement and support from your therapist.

If you’re interested in EMDR but prefer or require online sessions, know that it’s absolutely possible – and it works.