With the increasing popularity of telehealth, many clients are wondering if EMDR can be performed virtually. The answer is yes. Virtual EMDR offers the same structured protocol as in-person sessions, helping clients safely process trauma, anxiety, and stress from the comfort of their own home.
However, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can be very effective online when performed by a qualified therapist. If you’re considering EMDR therapy in New York City or online, be sure to consult with a licensed therapist.
Request an appointment with Daniel Criado and learn how online EMDR works, what to expect, and how it differs from traditional in-person therapy.
What Is Virtual EMDR Therapy?
Virtual EMDR therapy is a form of trauma-focused psychotherapy delivered through secure video sessions. It follows the same eight-phase structure as traditional EMDR but adapts the bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds) for remote use.
Therapists use specialized tools—like on-screen visual cues, audio tones, or tapping techniques—to replicate the alternating left-right stimulation that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories.
The goal remains the same: to reduce the emotional charge of traumatic experiences, allowing the mind to heal naturally and create healthier associations.
To many, find virtual EMDR just as personal and engaging as in-person therapy. The sense of privacy and being in a familiar space can even enhance feelings of safety and openness.
Ready to experience the benefits of trauma healing from home? Schedule your personalized EMDR therapy in New York with Daniel Criado, a licensed bilingual therapist experienced in both in-person and virtual EMDR treatment.
How Does Online EMDR Work Compared to In-Person Sessions?
The truth is that the basic principles of EMDR remain the same. The only difference is how the therapist delivers bilateral stimulation and how clients experience the process. In person, clients typically follow the therapist’s hand movements or hold tactile devices that alternate vibrations between their left and right hands.
Online, this process can be recreated using:
- On-screen eye-movement tools where a light or dot moves back and forth.
- Auditory tones alternating in each ear through headphones.
- Self-tapping techniques, guided by the therapist, to maintain rhythm and focus.
The rest of the session (identifying specific memories, processing emotions, and reinforcing positive beliefs) unfolds exactly as it would in a consultation. In fact, most clients report feeling just as supported online, especially when the therapist ensures a calm environment and clear communication throughout the session.
What Happens During a Virtual EMDR Session
A virtual EMDR session typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes and begins with stabilization exercises to ensure emotional stability. Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect:
- Preparation: The therapist checks your comfort level, explains the process, and ensures your internet connection and camera setup are ready.
- Target identification: You and your therapist identify a distressing memory or situation to process.
- Bilateral stimulation: You’ll follow visual or auditory cues, or use self-tapping guided by your therapist, while focusing on the target memory.
- Processing: The therapist helps you notice thoughts, emotions, or sensations that arise as your brain reprocesses the memory.
- Integration: Once the distress fades, you’ll reinforce a positive belief (e.g., “I am safe now” or “I can move forward”).
- Closure: Each session ends with grounding and relaxation techniques to help you return to a calm state.
Clients often feel lighter, calmer, and more emotionally balanced even after the first few sessions.
Does EMDR Work Effectively Online?
Multiple studies and clinical reports have shown that virtual EMDR is as effective as in-person therapy. Research published in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research (2021) found no significant differences in outcomes between clients who received EMDR online and those who received it in person.
Both groups experienced substantial reductions in trauma-related symptoms, anxiety, and emotional distress. The key factor is not the setting, but the therapeutic relationship and adherence to the evidence-based EMDR protocol.
When these factors are maintained, clients report the same level of connection, safety, and progress online. Of course, provided the sessions are conducted by a qualified practitioner like Daniel Criado.
Online EMDR also allows for continuity of care when life circumstances, such as a move, health issues, or time constraints, make in-person visits difficult.
Benefits of Doing EMDR Online
Virtual EMDR isn’t just convenient—it can also enhance certain aspects of the healing process. Let’s see some main advantages:
- Accessibility and Comfort: You can attend therapy from your own home or any private space, reducing stress and travel time. For many clients, being in a familiar environment increases their sense of safety, which is essential for trauma processing.
- Consistency and Flexibility: Online therapy makes it easier to maintain regular sessions, even with a busy schedule or mobility challenges. This consistency often leads to faster progress and better emotional regulation.
- Continuity During Life Changes: If you move, travel, or face unexpected events, virtual EMDR ensures that therapy continues seamlessly without interruption.
- Privacy and Emotional Safety: Some clients find it easier to open up from their own space, which can lead to deeper emotional work and greater self-awareness.
- Equal Effectiveness: According to recent research, virtual EMDR achieves comparable results to in-person sessions in treating trauma, anxiety, and stress-related conditions. The structure, outcomes, and success rates remain the same.
The Future of EMDR: Accessible Healing for Everyone
So, can EMDR be performed virtually? Of course it can, and the results speak for themselves. Virtual EMDR has opened the door for people around the world to access professional trauma therapy, breaking down the barriers of distance, mobility, and time.
For many, EMDR represents the future of mental healthcare, an effective, evidence-based treatment that adapts to modern life. At Daniel Criado Mental Health, therapy is grounded in science, compassion, and cultural awareness. Whether online or in person, each EMDR session is designed to help you process the past, find emotional stability, and build a more peaceful present.
No matter where you are, virtual sessions with Daniel Criado offer flexible access to professional EMDR therapy in New York, designed around your needs and schedule.
Take the first step toward healing. Contact Daniel Criado today to learn more about virtual or in-person EMDR therapy and begin your recovery journey wherever you are.
