How EMDR Works in Virtual Therapy

hello811033
Apr 3
3 min read

Updated: 4 hours ago

Online therapy has expanded access to powerful trauma treatments - including EMDR. Here's everything you need to know before your first virtual session.

April 2026 • 8 min read

What is EMDR therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - more commonly known as EMDR - is a structured, evidence-based therapy designed to help people recover from trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and other distressing experiences. Developed by psychologist Dr Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, it has since become one of the most rigorously studied and widely recommended trauma therapies in the world.

EMDR doesn't require you to describe your traumatic experience in detail. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation - most commonly guided eye movements, to help your brain reprocess distressing memories so they lose their emotional charge. The World Health Organization recognizes EMDR as an effective treatment for PTSD.

Can EMDR really be done virtually?

As it turns out - largely, yes. A growing body of research suggests that virtual EMDR produces outcomes comparable to in-person sessions for many clients. A 2021 study published in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research found that remote EMDR was effective and well-tolerated, with clients reporting high levels of therapeutic alliance - the trust and connection between client and therapist.

Core techniques in EMDR

The most well-known element of EMDR - the therapist moving their fingers back and forth while the client tracks them looks different online. But that doesn't mean the therapy is compromised, because our practitioners have adapted well.

In Virtual EMDR, therapists may use:

On-screen visual tools for guided eye movements
Structured tapping techniques (alternating left and right)
Audio tones delivered through headphones

What to expect in a your EMDR session

Once you're ready, you'll identify a specific memory to work on - not just the event itself, but the negative belief attached to it and where you feel it in your body. That's the starting point for the processing work.

The core sessions involve holding that memory in mind while bilateral stimulation runs - your therapist guides you through sets, pausing regularly to check in. You're not narrating what happened. You're noticing what comes up: images, feelings, thoughts, physical sensations.

Every session ends with a closing phase - your therapist will make sure you're grounded before you leave. The following session begins by reviewing what shifted in between, because the brain keeps working after you close the laptop.

Benefits of EMDR in online therapy

Beyond the clinical outcomes, there are some real practical advantages to doing this work online. For a lot of people, removing the commute and sitting somewhere familiar actually lowers the barrier to showing up consistently.

Signs that EMDR is working

Progress in EMDR isn't always linear, and it can sometimes feel like things get harder before they get easier. However, over time, most people notice clear signs that the therapy is having an effect. Here are some signs that EMDR is working:

Frequently asked questions:

How many EMDR sessions does it typically take?

It varies greatly. Single-incident trauma may resolve in as few as 3-6 sessions. Complex or childhood trauma often requires 12-20 or more sessions.

Can EMDR be done over Zoom or Teams?

Yes. Most video conferencing platforms work well for virtual EMDR, provided you have a stable internet connection and a private space.

Will I have to talk about my trauma in detail?

No - and this is one of the things people find most surprising and reassuring about EMDR. You identify the memory and hold it in mind, but you do not need to narrate it in detail. The processing happens internally, guided by the bilateral stimulation.

What if I feel worse after a session?

It's not uncommon to feel emotionally tired or unsettled after EMDR processing - the brain continues working between sessions. Your therapist will provide grounding techniques to help, and will always close the session safely. Contact your therapist if distress feels unmanageable.