Can EMDR Really Work Online? What We’ve Learned Since the Pandemic
In 2020, the world experienced one of the most unprecedented paradigm shifts in history. It was a time to reshape, reframe, and redesign systems and foundations that had been in place for decades - a time when we were required to do things we never thought possible. Almost overnight, our primary interactions shifted to virtual spaces, both personally and professionally. Words and phrases such as lockdown, social distancing, face masks, telehealth, and coronavirus became common household terms. Looking back on the year 2020 can feel like a blur for some and deeply traumatic for others. Even in 2026, there is no doubt that we are still grappling with the sociopolitical effects of the COVID-19 pandemic across many areas of life, including school, work, family, friendships, and dating.
Within the world of therapy, one significant outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic was the rapid rise of virtual therapy, also known as telehealth. As therapists, many questions quickly emerged about how to effectively transition services online and whether certain modalities could even be offered ethically through a screen. While there are many therapeutic approaches worth exploring, I want to focus on one in particular - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
To offer some brief background, EMDR is defined as a structured therapy that encourages clients to briefly focus on traumatic memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, most commonly through eye movements or tapping. This process has been shown to reduce the vividness and emotional intensity associated with trauma memories (Shapiro & Forrest, 2016). EMDR is an extensively researched and effective psychotherapy method that has been proven to help individuals recover from trauma and symptoms of PTSD. It may also be beneficial for individuals experiencing complex trauma, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, grief, and related concerns.
For many trauma therapists, the sudden shift to telehealth prompted a shared question: How in the world are we going to deliver this therapy through a screen? In response to these concerns, the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) quickly created a task force to explore best practices for delivering EMDR virtually. This group examined ethical guidelines, professional codes of conduct, and the technological needs required to provide effective therapy services online (Rollins & Cohen-Peck, 2020). As a result, various apps, websites, and tools were developed to support bilateral stimulation and make virtual EMDR more accessible and sustainable.
Six years later, virtual EMDR has continued to show promising results. Research suggests that EMDR delivered through telehealth is both effective and sustainable (Sedaghat Pour Haghighi et al., 2025). Studies comparing in-person and virtual EMDR have found no significant differences in treatment outcomes between the two formats (Sheikhi et al., 2024). As Chui et al. (2020) note, effective therapy often comes down to core elements such as self-acceptance, meaningful relationships, self-awareness, and consideration of others. In trauma-focused work, the strength of the therapeutic relationship may play an especially important role in supporting positive outcomes, regardless of whether sessions take place in person or virtually.
Ultimately, I believe this comes down to both therapist and client preferences regarding telehealth versus in-person sessions. For some individuals, forming a strong bond or sense of trust with a therapist may feel more challenging through a screen. For others, participating in therapy from the comfort of their own home can increase feelings of safety and confidence, and the opposite may also be true. As individuals research different therapeutic modalities and therapists, it is important to first consider which setting—virtual or in person—is most likely to support a sense of comfort, connection, and overall success in the therapeutic process. With EMDR, clients can rest assured that no matter which therapy format they choose, it is more than possible to see the results they are looking for.
Zoe Kinsey, LMHC
Zoe is passionate about helping her clients re-discover their zest for life and develop the confidence to change and grow. She works with adults and adolescents who are experiencing depression, anxiety, life transitions, and symptoms of trauma/PTSD. She also offers parent coaching to families who have children with severe mental health struggles.
References
Chui, H., Chong, E. S. K., Atzil-Slonim, D., Sahin, Z., Solomonov, N., Minges, M. V., Kuprian, N., & Barber, J. P. (2020). Beyond symptom reduction: Development and validation of the Complementary Measure of Psychotherapy Outcome (COMPO). Journal of Counseling Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000536
Rollins, S., & Cohen-Peck, M. (2020). Guidelines for virtual EMDR therapy: A report of the virtual training and therapy task group. EMDR International Association.
Sedaghat Pour Haghighi, M. M., Kazemi, F., Saeidmanesh, M., Dolatabadi, S., & Demehri, F. (2025). Evaluating the effectiveness of a virtual EMDR therapy platform on reducing PTSD symptoms. Journal of Health and Biomedical Informatics, 12(1), 52–63.
Shapiro, F., & Forrest, M. S. (2016). EMDR: The breakthrough therapy for overcoming anxiety, stress, and trauma. Hachette UK.
Sheikhi, M., Mousavi, S. M., Moradi Baglooei, M., Griffiths, M. D., & Alimoradi, Z. (2024). Comparative effect of in-person and virtual methods of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing on fear of COVID-19 among nurses: A three-armed randomized controlled trial. Cogent Psychology, 11(1), Article 2430862. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2024.2430862