Can EMDR therapy actually be done over a video call? The short answer is yes, and for many people it works just as well as sitting in a therapist’s office. Virtual EMDR therapy follows the same structured protocol as in-person treatment, uses the same phases, and requires the same level of clinical skill from your therapist. What changes is the setting, and with that change come a few practical things worth understanding before you book your first session. Whether you’re weighing the option because you live outside a major centre, have a demanding schedule, or simply feel more comfortable at home, knowing how the process actually works will help you make a confident decision.
What virtual EMDR therapy actually involves
Online EMDR is not a watered-down version of the original. The full eight-phase protocol developed by Francine Shapiro is delivered intact: history-taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and re-evaluation. What shifts is how bilateral stimulation, the rhythmic left-right sensory input that is central to EMDR therapy, is delivered.
In a physical office, a therapist might move their fingers back and forth in front of your eyes, use handheld tappers that alternate vibration between your palms, or use audio tones through headphones. Online, the options adapt:
- Eye movements: Your therapist can use a finger on screen, a moving dot on a shared screen, or a dedicated EMDR software tool that generates a moving stimulus.
- Tactile tapping: You tap your own knees, shoulders, or hands in an alternating pattern while your therapist guides the pace. This is called self-administered bilateral stimulation and is widely used in virtual sessions.
- Audio tones: Alternating tones delivered through headphones work well over video and require no special software beyond a reliable connection.
A common misconception is that bilateral stimulation must be administered by the therapist physically. It does not. Research on EMDR has consistently examined the role of dual attention, holding a distressing memory in mind while receiving bilateral input, and the source of that input matters less than the rhythm and consistency of it. Your therapist will help you find the method that feels most natural for you.
How virtual EMDR therapy sessions are structured differently from in-person
The session structure itself stays the same, but a skilled therapist doing virtual work builds in a few additional layers that in-person sessions don’t require.
Before your first processing session, your therapist will spend time on what is called the preparation phase, which is true of in-person EMDR as well, but online it gets extra attention. You’ll establish a clear signal for “stop,” agree on what to do if your connection drops mid-session, and confirm that your space is private and that you won’t be interrupted. These aren’t bureaucratic formalities. EMDR can bring up intense material quickly, and your therapist needs to know you’re in a safe, contained environment before opening that door.
Consider what it would mean to be mid-way through processing a difficult memory when a family member walks in, or when your internet cuts out. A good virtual EMDR therapist will have a plan for both scenarios before the session begins, not after.
What to prepare in your physical space
Your environment matters more in virtual EMDR than in a standard talk therapy session. Before each appointment, it helps to:
- Choose a room where you won’t be overheard or interrupted
- Use headphones if possible, both for audio quality and for the bilateral tone option
- Have a blanket or something grounding nearby, since EMDR can bring up physical sensations
- Test your connection and camera angle so your therapist can see your face clearly
- Keep a glass of water close, and know where your tissues are
None of this is complicated, but clients who set up their space intentionally tend to settle into sessions faster.
Who virtual EMDR therapy works well for, and who should think carefully
Virtual EMDR is genuinely well-suited to a wide range of people. Someone living in a rural area of Nova Scotia who would otherwise drive two hours each way for a session gains something real from online access. A parent who can only attend appointments during a narrow window in the afternoon benefits from not losing that window to travel. Someone with a physical disability, chronic illness, or social anxiety that makes leaving the house difficult may actually engage more fully from home.
That said, virtual EMDR is not the right fit for everyone, and a good therapist will tell you that honestly.
If you are currently in crisis, experiencing active suicidal ideation, or have a trauma history that involves severe dissociation, in-person care is generally the safer starting point. Dissociation, the experience of feeling disconnected from your body or surroundings, can be harder to assess and manage over a screen. A therapist working with you in person can notice subtle physical cues, offer grounding through their physical presence, and respond more immediately if a session becomes destabilizing.
This is not a reason to avoid virtual EMDR entirely if dissociation is part of your history. It is a reason to have an honest conversation with your therapist about it before you begin. Some people with dissociative histories do very well with virtual EMDR once adequate preparation work is in place. Others need a period of in-person stabilization first. There is no single answer.
What Nova Scotia regulations say about virtual therapy
If your therapist is a registered social worker in Nova Scotia, their virtual practice is governed by the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. NSCSW Standard 9 specifically addresses technology-based practice and requires that social workers providing services via telephone or other electronic means act ethically, ensure personal professional competence, protect clients, and uphold the values of the profession.
This means your therapist is not operating in a regulatory grey zone when they see you online. They are held to the same professional and ethical standards as they would be in an office. The NSCSW Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, updated in August 2025, applies regardless of whether the session happens in person or over video.
One practical implication: your therapist should be licensed in the province where you are located at the time of the session. If you are a Nova Scotia resident seeing a Nova Scotia-registered therapist, this is straightforward. If you travel frequently or are considering seeing a therapist registered in another province, it is worth asking about their licensing situation directly. You can find answers to common questions like this on Wholetherapy’s FAQ page.
Privacy and confidentiality in virtual sessions
Your therapist is required to use platforms and practices that protect your confidentiality. This means encrypted video software, not a standard consumer video call, and secure record-keeping practices consistent with the NSCSW Documentation Guidelines. Ask your therapist what platform they use and why. A therapist who can answer that question clearly is one who has thought carefully about your privacy.
The question of EMDR therapist credentials in a virtual context
One thing that does not change when EMDR moves online is the importance of your therapist’s training. EMDR is a specific, structured protocol that requires proper training to deliver safely, and the credential landscape can be confusing.
EMDRIA, the EMDR International Association, sets the international standard for EMDR training and certification. An EMDRIA Certified Therapist has completed at least 50 EMDR sessions with a minimum of 25 clients, received 20 hours of consultation from an EMDRIA Approved Consultant (at least 10 of those hours individually), completed 12 hours of EMDRIA continuing education credits, and has at least two years of post-licensure experience. That is a meaningful bar.
The highest credential is EMDRIA Approved Consultant, which represents advanced training and the ability to supervise other EMDR clinicians. It is worth knowing that letters of support from EMDRIA Approved Consultants-in-Training do not meet the certification requirement. Only full Approved Consultants count toward that credential.
When you are considering a virtual EMDR therapist, asking about their EMDR-specific training is entirely reasonable. A well-trained therapist will not be put off by the question.
Common concerns about virtual EMDR therapy, addressed honestly
Most people considering virtual EMDR have a version of the same worry: will it feel real? Will the connection through a screen be enough to do this kind of work?
The therapeutic relationship, the sense of being seen and understood by another person, does translate through video. It is not identical to being in the same room, and it would be dishonest to say otherwise. But for most people, it is sufficient. Clients regularly report feeling deeply supported in virtual sessions, including during difficult processing work.
A second common concern is technology failure. What happens if the call drops in the middle of a session? This is a real possibility, not a hypothetical, and your therapist should address it directly in your preparation phase. Most clinicians have a protocol: they’ll attempt to reconnect, and if they can’t, they’ll call you by phone to help you close the session safely before ending contact. You should know this plan before your first processing session begins.
A third concern, one people often don’t voice but do feel, is embarrassment about crying or becoming distressed on camera. This is worth naming because it stops some people from engaging fully. Your therapist has seen this before. The screen does not make your distress less valid or less visible to them.
How to get started with virtual EMDR therapy in Nova Scotia
If you’ve read this far and virtual EMDR sounds like something you want to try, the next step is simpler than it might feel. You don’t need to have your trauma history organized, your goals articulated perfectly, or certainty that this is the right approach. You need a therapist who can help you figure that out.
Wholetherapy offers virtual EMDR therapy to clients in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada. The first step is a consultation, not a commitment. In that conversation, you can ask about the therapist’s EMDR training, how they handle virtual sessions specifically, and whether your situation is a good fit for online work. If it isn’t, a good therapist will tell you that and help you think through alternatives.
To start that conversation, contact us directly. You can also learn more about how EMDR therapy works before reaching out, if you’d like more background first. There is no pressure to decide anything in that first contact. The goal is simply to get you the right information so you can make a decision that actually fits your life.
Frequently asked questions
Is virtual EMDR therapy as effective as in-person EMDR?
For many people, virtual EMDR therapy produces results comparable to in-person sessions. The core elements of the protocol, including bilateral stimulation, dual attention, and the therapeutic relationship, can all be maintained over video. That said, virtual delivery is not the right fit for every person or every presentation, particularly for those with significant dissociation or who are in acute crisis, and your therapist should assess this with you before beginning processing work.
What equipment do I need for virtual EMDR therapy?
You need a reliable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone (a laptop or tablet works well), and a private space where you won’t be interrupted. Headphones are strongly recommended, both for audio quality and because they allow your therapist to deliver bilateral audio tones directly to each ear. Some therapists use specialized EMDR software that generates a moving visual stimulus on your screen, which requires no additional hardware on your end.
Can virtual EMDR therapy be done in Nova Scotia?
Yes. Therapists registered with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers are permitted to provide services via electronic means under NSCSW Standard 9, which requires them to maintain the same ethical and professional standards as in-person practice. Wholetherapy offers virtual EMDR therapy to clients located in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada. Your therapist should be licensed in the province where you are physically located during sessions.
What happens if the internet connection drops during a virtual EMDR session?
A prepared virtual EMDR therapist will have a clear plan for this before your first processing session begins. Typically, the therapist will attempt to reconnect via video, and if that fails, will contact you by phone to help you close the session safely. This closure process is important because EMDR can leave material partially processed, and ending a session without proper closure can leave you feeling unsettled. Ask your therapist about their specific protocol before you start.
How do I know if a virtual EMDR therapist is properly trained?
Ask directly about their EMDR-specific training. A well-trained therapist will be able to tell you where they completed their EMDR training, how many hours of consultation they received, and whether they hold or are working toward EMDRIA certification. An EMDRIA Certified Therapist has completed at least 50 EMDR sessions with a minimum of 25 clients and 20 hours of consultation from an EMDRIA Approved Consultant. You can also visit Wholetherapy’s FAQ page for more information about therapist credentials.