Can EMDR Therapy be Done Online?

The short answer: Yes!

When the pandemic hit, many people began to work with their therapists online. But there were many skeptics who did not believe the benefits of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, also known as EMDR therapy, which is traditionally a hands-on therapy, could translate to online platforms. But as the pandemic unfolded and more and more therapists began using EMDR therapy online, it became clear that this protocol was just as effective used virtually as it was in-person.

While anecdotal evidence has its place (and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence for online EMDR therapy), scientific research is now emerging that proves the effectiveness of EMDR therapy practiced online. One such study from 2021 is cited in this article.

How is EMDR Therapy Conducted Online?

If you know anything about EMDR, you know that it requires bilateral stimulation. Generally an EMDR therapist would facilitate the movement of their client’s eyes by moving their finger from left to right in front of the client’s face. However, this is not the only means to achieve bilateral stimulation. The client can actually be led to tap their shoulders or knees in a rhythmic sequence.

Thanks to platforms like Zoom, a therapist and her client can conduct face-to-face sessions and bilateral stimulation can still easily be achieved.

Do You Need Help Overcoming Trauma?

EMDR is a highly effective tool for helping individuals heal from trauma. EMDR can also be used successfully to treat anxiety, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias and more.

Though the pandemic is over, many of my clients choose to continue our EMDR sessions online. They find doing this work from the comfort of their own home helps them feel safe. Online sessions are always secure and confidential.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule your first session, please give my office a call.

SOURCES:

https://www.emdria.org/research/online-emdr-therapy-recent-research-and-overview/

https://www.bythewellcounseling.com/can-you-do-emdr-therapy-online/

https://emdrhealing.com/online-emdr/

Ready to connect with a personal therapist who meets you where you are? We have options. Reach out today to find the right individual therapy provider for your needs! 

We’ll be happy to tell you about our practice and our approach to treatment, and if you feel that we’re a good match for your needs, we can schedule therapy in Middlebury, CT or therapy in Southbury, CT at a date and time that’s convenient for you. We also offer telehealth visits for clients all throughout Connecticut. Our providers are trained in CBT, DBT, IFS, EMDR, mindfulness based techniques, and somatic experiencing, all of which can help you gain skills to assist with stress. Our APRN's can explore any medical conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms, and evaluate vitamin levels, as well as thyroid hormone levels, to determine if there is a physical factor to issues your symptoms. Together, as a team, we can work with you to help you gain more peace in your life. You deserve to feel better!