Is online EMDR effective?
This has been a frequent question among my clients as the Covid-19 virus has moved our counseling services from face to face to online video sessions.
The short answer is yes, with the right environment and privacy. Our EMDR therapists are all offering EMDR through a video telehealth platform. While our office is located in Branford, CT, using telehealth, you can sit on your couch at home and receive treatment.
Understanding EMDR
EMDR is a comprehensive psychotherapy with 8 phases and relies on the use of bilateral stimulation (BLS), oftentimes using eye movements or tappers. These options aren’t available with online EMDR. However, the good news is there are several other types of BLS which can be easily used during online EMDR sessions.
Other types of bilateral stimulation which can be easily used online include:
- Butterfly Tapping
- Alternate leg tapping
- Hand tapping on a table
- Marching in place
- Bilateral snapping
- Listening to bilateral music – music which alternates between your ears.
There are also apps that simulate the eye movements used in EMDR which can be used in session.
More about Online EMDR
The early phases of EMDR treatment focus on leaning about your history and providing coping skills and resources followed by memory reprocessing. It is a treatment which focuses on the way your past is present in an upsetting, intrusive way.
All of this can be accomplished online!
Our EMDR therapists will guide you in using the various forms of bilateral stimulation until you find the one you like best. I often have clients listen to bilateral music and use tapping at the same time. While others prefer tapping or listening to music alone. Both ways have gotten really good results helping them to feel better. The question isn’t whether online EMDR is effective but how soon can I get started?!
