Online & Telehealth
Remote EMDR Therapy
Remote EMDR is the delivery of the standard EMDR protocol via video. A practical guide to setup, safety, protocol fidelity and BLS delivery online.
Reviewed by the BilateralSync clinical team · Updated · 7 min read
Introduction
Remote EMDR therapy is EMDR delivered through video conferencing. It gained widespread adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic and is now an established modality endorsed by EMDRIA and EMDR Europe. Delivered well, remote EMDR preserves the standard eight-phase protocol.
Evidence summary
Published outcome data — including case series, open trials and small RCTs — suggest remote EMDR produces clinically meaningful reductions in PTSD symptoms, with effects broadly comparable to in-person delivery when protocol fidelity is maintained.
Clinical use
A practical remote EMDR setup includes: a stable, encrypted video platform (Zoom, Teams, Doxy.me, Meet); a BLS delivery mechanism such as BilateralSync running in a second browser tab or on the client's device; a documented safety plan; and pre-session orientation to the setup. Special attention is given to grounding, dissociation risk and privacy in the client's physical environment.
Frequently asked questions
- Is remote EMDR safe for complex trauma?
- It can be, with careful preparation, stabilization and a robust safety plan. Some presentations remain better suited to in-person work; clinical judgement applies.
References
- EMDRIA (2020). Virtual EMDR therapy.
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