“Yes! We can do EMDR online. Not only is it helpful, for many people it is an excellent choice!”
EMDR AND BILATERAL STIMULATION (BLS)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic technique that helps decrease distress associated with memories, emotions, and body sensations related to traumatic or hurtful experiences. EMDR is widely used around the world to help people heal from psychological and physical symptoms related to trauma, accidents, natural disasters, addiction, distressing intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, anxiety, and depression.
A recent study in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology indicates that online EMDR is “a safe and effective alternative to in-person EMDR therapy” (Streichuk, D. et al., 2023). EMDR therapy has eight distinct phases. One of the phases, Phase 4, involves Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) of the brain. People often wonder how BLS is done online because it involves activating one side of the brain and then the other. BLS online is simple and easily accessible. There is a website that clients and therapists use that provides excellent and effective visual, tactile, and auditory BLS. Your online EMDR therapist will demonstrate how this works and help you find the BLS that works best for you!
WHY CHOOSE EMDR ONLINE
If you are considering EMDR for yourself or a loved one, chances are you want to feel better or you want something to change. Perhaps something from the past is stealing hours of well-being from your present. When you choose virtual EMDR, you can reduce the time and resources needed to heal.
Consider some of the many benefits of EMDR online:
- It saves time. EMDR online takes place through a Zoom meeting or a telehealth platform. There is no need to drive to a therapist’s office or wait in a waiting room.
- It saves money. Clients who choose EMDR online save money they would otherwise spend on fuel or vehicle wear and tear.
- It provides clients with more control over their comfort and environment. Clients can meet in a location that is most comfortable for them. Some people meet in their kitchen, basement, bedroom, closet, boat, or car.
- It fits into the client’s life. Clients are able to fulfill work and home responsibilities, pivot to EMDR therapy, and then pivot back to resuming life quickly.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?
EMDR online therapy is easily accessible, efficient, and effective. If you are interested in learning if EMDR online therapy is a good fit for you, reach out! I am happy to schedule a free consultation and answer any questions that you may have!
Streichuk, D. et al. (2023) Provision of online eye movement and desensitization therapy (EMDR) for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a multi-method service evaluation. Retrieved from: Full article: Provision of online eye movement and desensitisation therapy (EMDR) for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a multi-method service evaluation
Written by Andrea Brandt, NCC, LPC
andrea@restorationcounselingatl.com, ext. 154
Online Counseling
Andrea Brandt works with adults who desire freedom and healing from the impact of addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depression. She uses EMDR to help clients reduce the urge to engage in behaviors that they want to stop, and she treats the underlying trauma and beliefs that fuel unhealthy behaviors and thinking. On the journey toward healing, Andrea guides clients in understanding and managing emotions, creating, communicating, and maintaining healthy boundaries, and growing in healthy relationships. Andrea has specialized training EMDR, Addictions, and Exposure and Response Prevention. She sees clients via telemental health from her boat-office, Knot 2 Late. She believes that it is never too late to embrace change, heal, and grow.