Online & Telehealth
Online Bilateral Stimulation
Online bilateral stimulation delivers visual, auditory and combined BLS through a browser so therapists can run remote EMDR alongside any video platform.
BilateralSync · Updated · 6 min read
Overview
Online bilateral stimulation is BLS delivered through a browser — typically as a moving visual target and/or stereo-panned tones — so a therapist and client in different locations can complete the reprocessing phases of EMDR together. It is the technical piece that makes online EMDR practical without asking clients to install anything.
What the evidence says
Online BLS relies on the same evidence base as in-room BLS: the working-memory account of EMDR predicts that any well-delivered alternating stimulation that taxes working memory during recall will contribute to reprocessing. Small comparative studies of online vs in-person EMDR report comparable outcomes when BLS is delivered reliably and synchronously.
In practice
The key requirements for clinically useful online BLS are: responsive real-time therapist control of the client display, reliable stereo audio panning, a distraction-free client view, and instant modality switching. BilateralSync uses a real-time channel between therapist and client so speed changes, pauses and pattern switches happen without perceptible delay, and the client's screen shows only the moving target — no chat, no controls, no branding.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the client need to install anything for online BLS?
- With BilateralSync, no. The client opens a link in any modern browser on desktop, tablet or phone.
- Can I use both visual and auditory BLS online?
- Yes. Modern browsers support real-time stereo audio, so visual and auditory BLS can run together in sync on the client's device.
References
- Lenferink, L. I. M. et al. (2020). Online EMDR: a systematic review.
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.