What to Expect from EMDR Therapy Online: A Guide to Virtual EMDR in Pennsylvania

One of the most common questions I hear is whether EMDR can work through a screen. If you have been considering EMDR but assumed you needed to be in the same room as your therapist, I want to put that concern to rest. I provide all of my EMDR therapy via secure telehealth throughout Pennsylvania, and the results I see with my clients are consistent with what the research confirms: online EMDR works.

Does Online EMDR Really Work?

Multiple research studies have confirmed that EMDR delivered via telehealth produces outcomes comparable to in-person treatment. A 2020 study published in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research found no significant difference in treatment outcomes between in-person and online EMDR sessions. The European EMDR Association has also endorsed telehealth delivery as an appropriate format for EMDR.

The mechanism that makes EMDR effective is bilateral stimulation during focused attention on a target memory. That mechanism works regardless of whether you are in the same room as your therapist or connecting through a secure video session. The eight-phase protocol does not change. The depth of the work does not change.

How Bilateral Stimulation Works in Virtual Sessions

In traditional in-person EMDR, bilateral stimulation often involves following the therapist's finger movements with your eyes. In telehealth sessions, I adapt this using several alternatives that are well-supported by research:

• The butterfly hug: You cross your arms over your chest and alternately tap your shoulders. This is one of the most widely used bilateral stimulation methods for telehealth EMDR, and many clients find it grounding in addition to being effective.
• Self-tapping: Alternating taps on your knees, thighs, or the sides of your chair
• Visual tracking: Following a moving dot or object on your screen
• Auditory bilateral stimulation: Using headphones with alternating tones through specialized apps

During our preparation phase, we practice these techniques together so you feel comfortable and confident before any processing begins. Most clients settle into a preferred method quickly.

Setting Up Your Space for Online EMDR

One advantage of telehealth EMDR is that you can participate from a space that already feels safe and comfortable to you. To get the most out of your sessions:

• Choose a private, quiet room where you will not be interrupted
• Use a stable internet connection. Wired is ideal, but strong Wi-Fi works well.
• Use a device with a camera. A laptop or tablet is preferable to a phone for the larger screen.
• Have tissues and water nearby. Processing can bring up emotions, and that is a normal part of the work.
• Give yourself 15 to 20 minutes after the session to decompress before jumping back into your day

What a Typical Online EMDR Session Looks Like

A telehealth EMDR session follows the same structured protocol as in-person sessions. We start with a check-in, reviewing how you have been since the last session and identifying the target for today's work. From there, we set up the target memory along with its associated negative belief, the positive belief you want to hold instead, and any emotions or body sensations that are present.

The processing phase is where you focus on the target while engaging in bilateral stimulation. I guide you through sets of stimulation, pausing to check in between each set. You stay in control of the pace throughout. Once the distress has decreased, we strengthen the positive belief, and then we close the session with grounding and stabilization.

The entire session typically lasts 45 to 50 minutes, with the processing portion adapted to your comfort level.

Why Many Clients Prefer Online EMDR

I have found that telehealth offers benefits that go beyond scheduling convenience. Processing difficult material in your own safe space can enhance the therapeutic experience. After an emotionally intense session, you do not have to get in your car and navigate traffic. You are already home, already in a space where you can take the time you need.

Telehealth also removes geographic barriers. Whether you are in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, the Lehigh Valley, or a rural part of Pennsylvania, you have access to EMDRIA-Certified EMDR therapy. Clients tell me they miss fewer sessions because weather, traffic, and commute time are no longer factors. And there is no waiting room, which for many people feels like its own form of privacy and relief.

Who Is Online EMDR Right For?

Telehealth EMDR is appropriate for most clients, including those working through PTSD and C-PTSD, narcissistic abuse recovery, anxiety and panic, depression rooted in past experiences, chronic illness and health-related distress, and grief. In rare cases, clients with severe dissociation or active crisis may benefit from in-person treatment. This is something I assess with you during the initial consultation.

Getting Started

Starting online EMDR therapy is straightforward. Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation and we will discuss your concerns, answer your questions, and determine if EMDR is a good fit. All you need is a private space and a device with a camera. I will guide you through everything else.

If you want a deeper understanding of EMDR itself, read my comprehensive EMDR guide covering the 8 phases, the research, and what conditions it treats. You can also visit my FAQ page for answers to other common questions about therapy.