Is closure different in online EMDR?

The clinical aims are the same. What changes is planning for the client's environment, timing and the possibility of losing the connection.

Which grounding technique should I use online?

There is no single required method. The choice depends on the client and is a clinical decision, ideally using resources already practised in earlier sessions.

Clinical Practice

Remote EMDR: Grounding, Affect Regulation and Session Closure

Practical considerations for grounding, affect regulation and closing a remote EMDR session: planning ahead, the client's environment, lost connections and individual clinical judgment.

BilateralSync · Updated October 2, 2026 · 7 min read

Overview

Closure (Phase 7 of the standard EMDR protocol) aims to return the client to a stable state before the session ends, whether or not the target has been fully processed (Shapiro, 2018). Online, the clinical aims are the same, but the therapist is not in the room. This article discusses general considerations for remote work. It does not prescribe specific techniques; the choice of grounding and regulation strategies is individual and belongs to the treating clinician.

What the evidence says

What is established: the standard protocol includes preparation and stabilisation before reprocessing and closure at the end of every session (Shapiro, 2018; Leeds, 2016).

What general telehealth guidance adds: clinicians are asked to know the client's physical location, have emergency procedures for that location, and plan for technology failure (APA, 2013).

What is uncertain: there is little research specifically comparing closure methods in online versus in-room EMDR.

In practice

The considerations below are prompts for planning, not a protocol.

Plan before reprocessing

Rehearse the client's own grounding and containment resources in earlier sessions, ideally online, so they are familiar in the same setting.
Agree a stop signal that works on video.
Confirm where the client is and what support is available after the session.
Agree in advance what will happen if the connection drops.

The client's environment

At home the client may return straight to family, work or being alone. Some clinicians build in a short buffer at the end of the session and ask the client what they will do immediately afterwards. Objects in the client's room can sometimes be used as orienting anchors; whether that suits a particular client is a clinical judgment.

Allowing time for closure

Remote sessions can run late because of technical delays at the start. Watching the clock and stopping reprocessing early enough to close properly is especially important online. Stop the BLS from your side before moving into closure so the client has no moving stimulus on screen.

If the connection drops

Follow the plan agreed beforehand, for example: the client uses their grounding resource, the therapist reconnects by video or phone, and the session moves to closure rather than resuming reprocessing. Practical setup is covered in how to set up an online EMDR session.

Where clinical judgment is required

Whether a client is stable enough for remote reprocessing, which regulation strategies to use and when to seek additional support are individual decisions. If you are concerned about a client's immediate safety, follow your local emergency procedures and professional guidance. Wider context is on the online EMDR and EMDR telehealth pages, and more articles are in the resources library.

Frequently asked questions

Is closure different in online EMDR?: The clinical aims are the same. What changes is planning for the client's environment, timing and the possibility of losing the connection.
Which grounding technique should I use online?: There is no single required method. The choice depends on the client and is a clinical decision, ideally using resources already practised in earlier sessions.

References

Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, 3rd ed. Guilford Press.
Leeds, A. M. (2016). A Guide to the Standard EMDR Therapy Protocols for Clinicians, Supervisors, and Consultants, 2nd ed. Springer.
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.