Can You Do EMDR Online? What the Research Actually Says
Yes. Online EMDR therapy is effective, and the research backs it up. If you've been told you need to be in the same room as your therapist for EMDR to work, or if you've wondered whether something gets lost through a screen, this post is for you.
The Short Research-based Answer
A 2024 systematic review published in Frontiers in Psychiatry analyzed 16 studies involving 1,231 participants and found that remote EMDR therapy shows "promising outcomes in reducing PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and depression" and is a "feasible and accessible therapeutic option" (Kaptan, Kaya & Akan, 2024, doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1336569).
More recently, researchers found that studies published between 2021 and 2023 "consistently showed that remote EMDR produces symptom reduction comparable to that of traditional in-person delivery," with therapeutic alliance scores remaining stable when the therapist is well-prepared and comfortable with the technology (Telehealth.org, 2025).
The Question I Hear Most Often
When I tell people I offer EMDR via telehealth throughout California, the most common response is some version of: "But doesn't EMDR require eye movements? How does that work on a screen?"
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain process stuck traumatic memories. In-person, this often looks like following a therapist's moving hand or using bilateral tactile tappers. Online it works just as well with:
A therapist-guided finger movement on screen
Eye movements guided through a shared screen, using tools like bilateral.io that are designed specifically for remote EMDR sessions
Audio tones alternating between ears through headphones
Self-tapping on your knees or shoulders while the therapist guides you
The bilateral stimulation is a delivery mechanism. The actual processing happens internally, in your nervous system, and that doesn't require physical proximity to a therapist.
What the Research Shows
EMDR has one of the strongest evidence bases of any trauma therapy. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense place it on the same clinical tier as Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy in their treatment guidelines, meaning it's among the most recommended approaches available.
The evidence for delivering it online has grown substantially in the past several years, accelerated by necessity and then validated by outcome data.
A few specific findings worth knowing:
Symptom reduction is comparable. A 2024 controlled study published in Brain Sciences compared 80 people receiving remote EMDR against 80 receiving in-person EMDR, measuring outcomes on the PCL-5 and Impact of Event Scale. They found no significant differences in symptom reduction between the two groups (Cite et al., 2024)
The therapeutic relationship holds. One concern people raise about telehealth is whether the connection between therapist and client suffers over video. The research on remote EMDR specifically found that therapeutic alliance scores remained stable online, which matters because the relational safety of the therapeutic relationship is part of what makes trauma processing possible.
It works for complex presentations. The 2024 systematic review included participants across varied age groups and clinical profiles, not just simple single-incident trauma. The outcomes were consistently positive.
What I've Seen in My Own Practice
I've been doing EMDR online for several years now, and some of the most meaningful trauma processing I've been privileged to witness has happened over video.
For many clients, being in their own home during EMDR is actually an advantage. When the nervous system learns new things, it helps to be in the environment where you'll need to access that learning. Doing deep work from your own couch, surrounded by familiar cues, can make the shifts more transferable to daily life.
Furthermore, reprocessing traumatic memories can be difficult and emotional, and so being in your own space allows for a feeling of comfort and safety that an office does not necessarily provide. Throughout my time as an online EMDR therapist, clients have shared with me their objects that bring them comfort, including pets, plants, pictures and cozy blankets. We bring all of those resources into the work in a way that helps the system more gently reprocess disturbances.
That said, not everyone finds online work easier. Some people really do prefer being in a room with another person, especially early in treatment when the relational foundation is still being built. But for the majority of clients I work with, an online EMDR setting doesn't limit the work.
Who Online EMDR Works Especially Well For
People with busy schedules who would otherwise delay starting treatment
Anyone in California outside of major metropolitan areas, where access to certified EMDR therapists is limited
People who experience significant anxiety about leaving home or entering new environments
Clients with chronic illness, mobility challenges, or unpredictable health symptoms
Parents of young children who need more scheduling flexibility
Anyone who has tried to find an EMDR therapist in their area and come up short
A Few Caveats
The research is promising, and my clinical experience supports it, but online therapy isn't the right fit for everyone.
If you are in active crisis, experiencing significant dissociation, or have a presentation that requires close clinical monitoring, in-person care may be more appropriate, at least initially. EMDR is a powerful intervention and the preparation phase matters. I take that seriously whether we're meeting in person or online.
If you're unsure whether telehealth EMDR is right for your specific situation, the free consultation is the right place to figure that out together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any special equipment for online EMDR? No special equipment is required. A reliable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone (phone, tablet, or computer), and a private space are the main things you need. If we use audio bilateral stimulation, a pair of headphones helps. I'll walk you through everything before we begin.
What platform do you use for telehealth sessions? I use a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. Before each session, I send a link you simply click to join. Most clients find it straightforward after the first time.
Can EMDR therapy be done completely online, start to finish? Yes. I have worked with clients through the entire arc of EMDR treatment online, from history-taking and preparation through active reprocessing and integration. The format does not limit what's therapeutically possible.
I live in a different city in California than you. Can I work with you? Yes. I offer telehealth to anyone located in California. Licensure requirements mean I can only see clients who are physically in the state during our sessions, but within California, location is not a barrier