Online or Teletherapy EMDR: Does It Work

Since the 80s, EMDR has been successfully and consistently used to help clients resolve past trauma, including PTSD.  Traditionally conducted in a face-to-face format, EMDR therapy adapted itself to virtual platforms, which raises questions about its effectiveness and possible benefits online. Let’s chat about the efficacy of virtual EMDR and outline the advantages of conducting this kind of therapeutic practice virtually.

The Rise of Virtual Therapy

The therapy world, as well as the world generally, has experienced a virtual shift over the past few years, greatly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. With mental health professionals looking for ways in which to keep their services available, telehealth assumed a central place in becoming the essential solution while the world was locking down and implementing distancing measures. This was a hectic time with a lot of uncertainty. This change does not only guarantee the care continuum but also puts flexibility and adaptability at the core of therapeutic practices such as EMDR.

Virtual therapy platforms have become very popular, with secure video conferencing tools being the new norm. Our therapists use Zoom, Doxy.me, and Microsoft Teams, depending on the therapist and the client.  These easily allows access to clients for therapy outside the boundaries of a physical location. This shift has drawn examination into how various therapeutic modalities can be conducted effectively online, including EMDR.

Can EMDR Work Virtually?

The short answer is YES! The pandemic really accelerated telehealth services, and this included virtual EMDR. Although our experience at EMDR Therapy Nashville shows consistent and similar improvement as in person sessions, research has also proven that EMDR is safe and effective when done telehealth.

Research Results

Studies have been published to prove that EMDR done on a computer is indeed as potent as the in-office sessions. In this regard, one study published in Journal of Anxiety Disorders reported that virtual EMDR significantly alleviated symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression among participants to the effect of face-to-face sessions. Another article published in European Journal of Psychotraumatology showed that online delivery of EMDR retained both the integrity and the outcomes of the therapy, hence setting precedence for it as a plausible and effective alternative to the traditional face-to-face sessions.

Success Factors

1. Technological Set-up: Stable internet connectivity, a comfortable and confidential space, and suitable videoconferencing software form the prerequisites for any successful EMDR session via virtual mode.

2. Therapist Training: Therapists would need to be competent at working on virtual platforms and trained to cope with problems unique to EMDR conducted online. Along with this, therapists of course need thorough training and experience with EMDR.

3. Client Readiness: Clients would need to be comfortable with the use of technology and the environment they are in should be conducive for the therapy sessions.

4. Adaptation Techniques: Some adaptations, such as hand-held devices for bilateral stimulation or tapping, may be needed for the virtual sessions.  We have also used headphones that play tones back and forth for clients, as well as has a light that moves on your screen.

Virtual EMDR Benefits

There are numerous benefits for conducting EMDR therapy virtually that make this a very attractive option for many clients and therapists.

•  Greater Accessibility

  • Virtual EMDR can transcend geographical boundaries and help clients access therapy from any location in the world. This proves most helpful to those living in very remote areas, or generally to those in places that are usually short of specialized mental health services.

• Convenience and Flexibility

  • Through telemedicine, the ability to attend therapy sessions from the comfort of one's own home saves time and resources on transportation. This may also be the case for increased frequencies in attending sessions—something very important to the efficacy of the therapy.

• Comfort and Safety

  • This aids in optimizing feelings of comfort during therapy, especially for clients who have been traumatized and feel safest in familiar surroundings. A personal space minimizes anxiety, and thus in most cases makes a client open up more easily to the therapeutic process.

• Continuity of Care

  • The ability to continue virtually ensures that there are no breaks in treatment due to relocations, travel, or public health emergencies.

• Cost-Effective

  • Virtual sessions can be costlier for clients and therapists. The cost of travel and time off from work for the client is saved, while the therapist saves money on some of the overhead costs associated with maintaining a physical space for their office.

• Adaptability to Individual Needs

  • Virtual EMDR allows for more flexibility in treatment. More flexibility is given to the therapist during sessions; it caters more flexibly to the needs of individuals through online tools and other resources at their disposal in helping to enhance the therapeutic process.

Challenges and Considerations

There are challenges to be aware of as you begin your teletherapy trauma resolution journey.

•  Technological Barriers

  • Not all clients will have access to the required technology or a stable internet connection. Another challenge may be technical glitches during sessions, which disturb the flow of therapy, affecting progress.

• Privacy Issues

  • The privacy of the client cannot be assured in a virtual setting. The client needs a private and quiet space for sessions while the therapist needs to make use of secure and HIPAA compliant platforms to protect confidentiality.

• Therapeutic Alliance Builds

  • A therapeutic alliance or bonding between therapist and client can be more challenging to establish and maintain in a virtual setting. The therapist must fight harder to generate warmth and empathy online.

• Managing Intense Emotions

  • During a face-to-face session, a therapist can immediately respond with support if a client has an intense emotional reaction. In cases of such reactions in a virtual environment, therapists should find ways to effectively deal with them to ensure the safety and well-being of clients.

Conclusion: Telehealth EMDR Therapy is Effective

Virtual EMDR has proven to be both feasible and potent as compared to face-to-face sessions. Overall, EMDR's adaptability to the online platform increases access to mental health care. This has many advantages in terms of accessibility, convenience, comfort level, and continuity of care. Even with potential pitfalls, appropriately oriented and technologically supported, virtual EMDR can deliver a resilient and powerful therapeutic experience. As telehealth continues to evolve, so is virtual EMDR as an up-and-coming tool within trauma-focused therapies to help bring hope and healing to clients from all around the globe.