When many people first hear about Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, they picture sitting in the same room as their therapist while holding buzzers, following hand movements, or using a light bar. It’s understandable, then, that one of the most common questions I get as an EMDR therapist is:
“Can EMDR really work over video?”
The short answer is yes.
Research conducted over the past several years suggests that EMDR delivered through secure telehealth platforms can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many clients. In fact, for some people, virtual EMDR offers unique advantages that can actually enhance the therapeutic process.
What the Research Shows
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, relatively little research had examined EMDR delivered remotely simply because few clinicians were offering it. As therapists rapidly transitioned to telehealth, researchers had the opportunity to evaluate whether EMDR remained effective in a virtual format.
The findings have been encouraging.
A 2021 service evaluation published in BMC Psychiatry found that clients receiving EMDR online experienced clinically meaningful reductions in symptoms, with outcomes comparable to those typically seen in face-to-face treatment. Improvements were observed across multiple standardised measures, and therapist experience with virtual EMDR did not significantly affect outcomes.
In addition, the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) now provides detailed guidelines for safely and effectively conducting EMDR via telehealth. While they emphasise that virtual EMDR requires thoughtful preparation, appropriate technology, and clinician training, they recognise that all eight phases of the EMDR protocol can be delivered remotely when done by a qualified therapist.
More broadly, research on telehealth psychotherapy consistently demonstrates that virtual mental health treatment produces outcomes similar to in-person care for many conditions, including anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders.
Why Virtual EMDR Can Actually Be Helpful
For some clients, being at home actually makes EMDR therapy easier.
You may feel safest in your own environment.
Trauma work requires your nervous system to feel secure enough to process difficult memories. Many people naturally feel calmer in familiar surroundings where they have access to their own blankets, pets, comforting objects, or favourite chair.
Rather than having to regulate themselves in an unfamiliar office, clients often begin sessions already feeling grounded, which helps the session feel smoother for them. Some of my own clients actually prefer doing EMDR virtually from home as their brain seems to be able to engage more easily with the process when it is done online.
There’s no stressful commute afterward.
EMDR sessions can leave people feeling emotionally tired, reflective, or deeply relaxed.
When therapy ends virtually, many clients appreciate being able to simply make a cup of tea, sit quietly, journal, or rest instead of driving through traffic or returning immediately to work.
This soft landing after the session can support continued processing and integration after the session, which is why I often suggest evening EMDR appointments online for my clients who work during the day.
Greater accessibility means more consistent therapy.
Virtual EMDR removes many barriers that prevent people from getting treatment, including:
● Busy work schedules
● Childcare responsibilities
● Transportation difficulties
● Physical disabilities or chronic illness
● Living in rural or underserved areas
Consistency is one of the strongest predictors of therapeutic progress. When attending sessions becomes easier, many people are able to engage in treatment more regularly.
You can choose the right therapist, not just the closest one.
One of the biggest benefits of telehealth is that geography becomes much less important.
Instead of limiting yourself to therapists within driving distance, you may be able to work with someone who has specialized training in complex trauma, childhood abuse, attachment injuries, grief, dissociation, or other areas that fit your needs. And most importantly, the relationship between therapist and client remains one of the strongest predictors of successful therapy, regardless of whether sessions occur in person or online. While there may be EMDR therapists in your area, the best fit might be an online therapist with whom you feel a strong rapport and connection.
Does Virtual EMDR Look Different?
Not really.
Your therapist will still guide you through the same eight-phase EMDR process. The primary difference is how bilateral stimulation is provided.
Depending on your needs and technology, your therapist may use:
● A moving object on your screen for eye movements
● Alternating audio tones through headphones
● Self-tapping (often called the “Butterfly Hug”)
● Tactile pulsers or other clinician-guided methods
The therapy itself—the preparation, processing, and integration—remains the same.
Is Virtual EMDR Right for Everyone?
Not always.
Some clients may benefit more from in-person sessions, particularly if they have significant safety concerns, severe dissociation that is difficult to manage remotely, unreliable internet access, or limited privacy at home.
A well-trained EMDR therapist will carefully assess whether telehealth is appropriate and discuss any concerns before beginning reprocessing.
The goal is not to force therapy into one format but to choose the setting that best supports your healing.
The Bottom Line
Virtual EMDR is much more than a temporary alternative; it has become an evidence-informed way of delivering trauma therapy.
For many people, it provides the same therapeutic benefits as in-person treatment while offering greater convenience, accessibility, and comfort. And for some of my own clients, I’ve even seen EMDR work more effectively online than in-person. If you’ve been wondering whether telehealth EMDR is a good option for you, then you can reach out to our qualified team to learn more.
By Brooke Hulsizer, NCPS, CSAT, SSSC
References
EMDR International Association. (2020). Guidelines for Virtual EMDR Therapy: A Report of the Virtual Training and Therapy Task Group.
McGowan, K., et al. (2021). Online EMDR Therapy in the Treatment of Mental Health Problems: A Service Evaluation. BMC Psychiatry.
Schiller, C. E., et al. (2023). Efficacy of Virtual Care for Depressive Disorders: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JMIR Mental Health.