EMDR online: how it works over video
If the thought of EMDR appeals but the thought of a 50 minute drive, a hunt for parking and sitting in a waiting room afterwards with mascara halfway down your face does not, you might be wondering whether you can do it from home instead.
You can. I'm Charlotte, an EMDR practitioner and BABCP-accredited CBT therapist, and I offer EMDR online to adults across the UK. Here's how it works, what you'll need, and when I might suggest something different.
Can EMDR really be done online?
Yes. EMDR started as an in-person therapy, but since 2020 a lot of EMDR therapists have worked online, and the same eight phases, the same preparation and the same care all carry over.
Research into online EMDR is newer and smaller than the research for in-person EMDR, and I want to be honest about that. One of the most useful studies so far comes from an NHS trauma service in Cardiff (Strelchuk et al., 2023). It compared people who had EMDR online with people who had it in person the year before, and found no difference in how many finished therapy, dropped out or had difficult reactions. The people who had it online said they liked feeling more in control and not having to travel. Their main worries were privacy at home, and not having that bit of "in-between" time after a session before getting back to daily life, which is why both have their own section below.
The study wasn't randomised, so it can't tell us whether one way is better than the other. A 2023 review of 16 online EMDR studies (Kaptan et al.) found promising results too, while noting that most studies were small. So: encouraging, still growing, and worth talking through together.
How does the eye movement part work over video?
In person, you might follow my fingers or a light bar. Online, there are a few options, and we'll find the one that suits you:
A moving dot on your screen. You follow a dot that moves from side to side, and I control the speed. This is the one I use most.
Sounds through headphones. A gentle tone that moves from one ear to the other.
Tapping. You tap your own knees or shoulders, left and right, or use the butterfly hug, at a pace we agree.
We'll try them out during preparation, often on something pleasant, before we use them on anything difficult.
What you'll need at home
A private space where you won't be overheard or interrupted. A note on the door helps.
A laptop or tablet rather than a phone if you can, so the screen is big enough to follow the dot.
Headphones, if we use sounds.
A steady internet connection.
Something comforting nearby, like a blanket, a glass of water, or a pet who's allowed to stay.
Time afterwards. Try not to book a meeting straight after a session. A walk, a cup of tea or a quiet half hour helps.
Keeping you safe online
There are a few extra things I'll do because we're not in the same room:
At the start, I'll check where you are, in case we ever need it.
We'll agree what happens if the connection drops: I'll call you, and we'll take a minute to settle before carrying on or finishing the session gently.
We'll make a plan for looking after yourself after sessions, because you won't have the journey home to come back to yourself.
As with any EMDR, we always leave time at the end of a session to settle.
Is online EMDR right for everyone?
Not always, and that's okay. I might suggest in-person EMDR, or more time on preparation first, if:
you don't have anywhere private to have sessions
you often feel very disconnected from yourself or your surroundings, and it's hard to come back
you're not feeling safe at the moment
We'll talk about this together at the start. It's not a test you can fail, it's just about finding the right way in for you.
Online or in person: which is better?
Neither is better for everyone. Some people love being at home, with no journey and their own things around them. Others prefer the separation of going somewhere else and leaving it there. If you're not sure, it's a great question to bring to a first conversation.
One small thing to try
Before your first online session, find your spot. Sit where you'd have the session, notice what you can see, hear and feel, and pick one thing in the room that makes you feel a little calmer. It might be a plant, a photo or the view from the window. That can become part of how we help you settle at the end of each session.
Quick answers
Tap a question to see the answer.
Can EMDR be done over Zoom?
Yes, using a moving dot on screen, sounds through headphones, or tapping.
Is online EMDR as good as in person?
The research for online EMDR is newer and smaller, and so far it's been encouraging. Some people prefer one, some the other.
What do I need for online EMDR?
A private space, a laptop or tablet, headphones and a steady connection.
Do you offer EMDR across the UK?
Yes, I work online with adults anywhere in the UK.
When you're ready
I'm an EMDR practitioner and a member of EMDR UK, trained with Dr Michael Paterson OBE and working under the supervision of an EMDR consultant. I'm also a BABCP-accredited CBT therapist with 12 years in NHS and community mental health services. I offer EMDR online to adults across the UK, in 50 minute sessions (£120) or extended 80 minute sessions (£180).
For bite-sized OCD support most days, come and find me on Instagram at @the_floral_therapist.
Charlotte
If you're struggling to stay safe right now, call 999 or go to A&E, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option, or call Samaritans free, any time, on 116 123.
This post is educational and isn't a replacement for therapy. Please speak to a qualified therapist or contact your GP for further support.
Research mentioned
NICE (2018, reviewed 2025), Post-traumatic stress disorder, NG116.
Strelchuk, D. et al. (2023). Provision of online EMDR for people with PTSD: a multi-method service evaluation. European Journal of Psychotraumatology
Kaptan, S. K. et al. (2023). A systematic review of remote EMDR therapy studies. Frontiers in Psychiatry.
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