Online & Telehealth
Choosing EMDR Software: An Evaluation Checklist for Therapists
An objective checklist for evaluating EMDR software: therapist control, client setup, visual and auditory BLS, synchronisation, privacy, compatibility, accessibility, pricing and support.
BilateralSync · Updated · 8 min read
Overview
There are several EMDR software tools for therapists, and the right one depends on how you work. This checklist is designed to be useful whichever product you choose, including if it is not BilateralSync. Use it during a free trial: run a test session with a colleague acting as client and score each item.
What the evidence says
There is no research showing that one EMDR software product produces better clinical outcomes than another. Evaluation is therefore about reliability, control, privacy and fit with your practice, not about clinical efficacy claims. Be cautious of any vendor that claims otherwise.
In practice
Your professional and regulatory obligations (for example data protection law in your jurisdiction and your licensing body's telehealth guidance) take precedence over any software feature list.
The checklist
| Area | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Therapist control | Can you start, stop and change speed, pattern and sound instantly during a set? |
| Client setup | What must the client install, create or configure? How many steps from link to stimulus? |
| Visual BLS | Is movement smooth on ordinary laptops and tablets? Are patterns, colours and sizes adjustable? |
| Auditory BLS | Are tones clearly left/right on headphones? Is volume adjustable? |
| Synchronisation | How quickly do your changes appear on the client's screen? Test it on a real remote connection. |
| Privacy | What data is collected about the client? Is a client account required? Where is data stored? |
| Data handling | Is there a data processing agreement if you need one? Can data be deleted? |
| Browser/device compatibility | Which browsers, operating systems and devices are supported? |
| Accessibility | Can the client use it with light sensitivity, low vision or hearing differences? Is there a non-visual option? |
| Pricing model | Monthly or annual? Per therapist or per session? What happens if you cancel? |
| Session workflow | How does it fit with your existing video platform? Can you save presets? |
| Fullscreen | Can the client go fullscreen easily, including on tablets? |
| Support | How do you get help, and how fast? Is documentation clear? |
How to run a fair test
- Use the same remote connection and devices for every tool you compare.
- Ask a colleague to join as client on an unfamiliar device.
- Time the steps from sending the link to seeing the stimulus.
- Change settings mid-set and watch the client view.
- Read the privacy policy and security documentation, not just the marketing page.
Questions specific to your practice
- Do you work only online, only in-room or both? (See EMDR app vs. browser-based EMDR.)
- Do clients join from work or borrowed devices where installation is impossible?
- Do you need tactile BLS hardware, which browser tools cannot provide?
Applying the checklist to BilateralSync
If you want to evaluate BilateralSync with this checklist, the relevant information is on EMDR software, the EMDR platform overview, pricing and security. It is browser-based, offers visual and auditory BLS and does not provide tactile hardware.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the most important feature in EMDR software?
- It depends on your practice, but reliable real-time therapist control and minimal client setup are usually decisive for online work.
- Does EMDR software affect treatment outcomes?
- There is no research showing one software product produces better outcomes than another. Evaluate reliability, control, privacy and fit.
References
- American Psychological Association (2013). Guidelines for the practice of telepsychology.
This article is general professional information for clinicians. It is not clinical advice and does not replace EMDR training, consultation or individual clinical judgment. BilateralSync is a tool for delivering bilateral stimulation; it is not a treatment or a medical device.