Does online EMDR work?
Yep! Research and UK clinical experience suggest online EMDR-can reduce PTSD and related symptoms in a way that’s pretty much the same as when it’s-done in person (of course, when it’s delivered – either way – by a trained clinician with-careful preparation and a clear safety plan). It’s also well known to help with a lot of other-difficulties, not just PTSD.
How are you kept safe online?
We screen thoughtfully to make sure EMDR is right for you,-then we build resources before any deeper processing even starts. We prepare you for the-processing, so that you know what to expect and can prepare. We also create a post-therapy-plan for every session, use secure/GDPR-compliant systems, and pace the work inside your-window of tolerance. Keeping you safe is a priority, and so it’s actually built into the standard-EMDR protocol. That’s partly why your EMDR therapist loves using this approach!
Why do people choose online EMDR?
You want effective trauma therapy that fits real life. Your EMDR therapist believes in-making therapy more practical. No commute, no waiting rooms, no transport delays, no-rushing out of the house to make a 50-minute slot only to rush home again. Online EMDR-offers the same structured approach to in-person EMDR, but it’s delivered through a secure-video platform at a time that suits you in a space you are comfortable in, with an emphasis on-safety and pacing.
What is EMDR? (in plain English)
EMDR helps the brain reprocess (store away) distressing experiences, so they stop hijacking-the present. EMDR is different from other therapies because it uses bilateral stimulation (left-to right body signals) such as eye movements on screen, alternating tones in headphones, or-gentle self-tapping of the hands on legs or chest. You do this at the same time as thinking-about the root memory related to your current problem. Holding the memory in mind and-using bilateral stimulation means you don’t have to retell every detail of your story. EMDR-believes in the link between past events, present triggers and the future, so we work across-those, at your nervous system’s pace.
What does an online EMDR session look like?
- Assessment & stabilisation – We map your story, strengths and stressors, then build grounding/regulation skills. If-we need more stability, we focus there first.
- Planning the work – We identify targets (memories, triggers, beliefs) and agree how we’ll measure change.
- Bilateral stimulation online – We choose eye movements, tones or taps and practise them before any deeper work-(processing).
- Processing in sets – The processing is done in short sets so that you are not only in the hard memories. The therapist checks in frequently and helps you to keep you within your window of-tolerance.
- Closure & aftercare – We return to baseline once you are no longer distressed, or we help you to reduce-distress if the processing hasn’t been completed in the session. We note any after effects, and plan gentle aftercare for the next 24–48 hours.
Safety first: how we protect your wellbeing (UK standards)
Clinical safeguards
- Suitability screening: Therapists will assess with you your stability, levels of dissociation,-risks and your support systems.
- Personalised safety plan: Therapists will need to know your live location each session,-emergency contacts, and what we’ll do if you feel overwhelmed (grounding steps, pause-signals, reconnection plan).
- Crisis routes: These are discussed early on in therapy – common suggestions to seek help-may include contacting your GP, NHS 111 or helplines like the Samaritans 116 123 who are-available 24/7. It is made clear that your therapist is not an out-of-hours contact.
Digital & ethical safeguards
- Confidentiality & GDPR: Therapists are responsible for using a secure platform, minimal-necessary data, encrypted storage, and gaining clear consent from you for the use of their-systems.
- Professional guidance: EMDR therapists are already trained therapists in their own-profession before becoming EMDR accredited, so they will need to follow their professional-bodies (HCPC/BPS/BACP) standards for remote work, plus EMDR-specific good practice-for online delivery.
- Environment check: The client is responsible for ensuring they have a private space,-headphones if needed, stable internet, and device security.
Who online EMDR suits (and when in-person may be wiser)
Online EMDR is often a good fit if you:
- can create a private, interruption-free space at home or work
- prefer not to travel or have mobility, caregiving or workload constraints-• feel safer processing in a familiar environment
- value culturally safer access (e.g., not wanting to be seen entering a clinic
We might recommend in-person or extra support if you:
- have frequent, uncontrolled dissociation or current high-risk self-harm/suicidality-• can’t secure a private space or a safe device
- have poor internet connection
- would benefit from in-room co-regulation and a contained clinical setting
What you need for online EMDR
- Private room (or a parked car “office”) with a steady camera position – the phone moving-makes therapists feel dizzy or disorientated, and it’s harder to focus.
- Headphones (ideally over-ear) and a charged device if you have other people in the house.
- Reliable internet; notifications off
- Comfort items (weighted throw, grounding scent, water, tissues)
- A gentle aftercare plan
Access in the UK: NHS and private options
- NHS: You can self-refer to local Talking Therapies services. Some teams offer EMDR-directly or refer onward. Waiting times vary by area.
- Private: Choose a clinician who is HCPC-registered (or equivalent) and trained/accredited-in EMDR (EMDR Europe/EMDR UK). Ask about their experience of working with people-with your concerns (e.g., complex trauma, grief), data protection, and their safety planning-process.
Choosing a therapist – a quick checklist
- Registration: HCPC, BACP, UKCP, BABCP, etc, for their mental health therapy-registration and then the EMDR UK/Europe status to check they have had good EMDR-training. It’s okay to ask for their registration and accreditation numbers to be able to check-yourself.
- EMDR training level: There are generally 3–4 parts in the training process. Ask which part-they are on or have completed. After the training they can become Accredited Practitioners or-Consultants (big green flags for both).
- Experience: Ask about this specific to what you’re experiencing (e.g., complex trauma,-grief, dissociation).
- Safety & reconnection: You can ask how they ensure this and check for safety planning-and resourcing.
- Platform security/GDPR: Ask your therapist about which GDPR-compliant platform they-use to conduct sessions, as well as data protection policies.
- Cultural fit & style: Decide what you want from your therapist and get a feel for them-before signing up to work with them if you can – you might want to think about-communication style, culture, approach, clear boundaries on fees, cancellations, and response-times, etc.
Common Questions
Safety rests on planning and pace, not postcode. With screening, resourcing, a live location/emergency plan, privacy measures and clear consent, online EMDR is an equally-safe option for many people.
We agree a reconnection plan in advance (phone call on standby), plus immediate grounding-steps and if processing, a contingency to pause processing until the connection is stable.
No. You have the option to, but if you would prefer not to, EMDR focuses on how the-memory is stored rather than a blow-by-blow retelling. Many people find this more-manageable. Other people want to share their story.
Sessions should be carefully closed down and aftercare planned, and you should know-beforehand exactly how to reach support (your safety plan, your friends or loved ones, NHS-111, Samaritans 116 123) if distress escalates.
This can happen, but your therapist should explain why it happens and how to manage it.
