What Happens in an EMDR Session
EMDR can sound mysterious until you know the shape of a session. Here is a plain walk-through of what online EMDR with our practice can include.
01
Before any memory work begins
EMDR does not usually start with the hardest memory. The first sessions focus on getting to know you, what brought you in, and what feels most pressing in daily life. Your therapist will ask about your history in a way you can manage, and you can pass on any question. Together you build ways to settle your body when things feel stirred up. This preparation time is part of EMDR, not a delay before the real work.
02
Building steadiness first
You will likely practice a few ways to come back to the present, like noticing your feet on the floor, picturing a place that feels calm, or using your breath. These are tools you can use outside sessions too. Your therapist will check how quickly you can return to steady ground. That matters because EMDR involves touching difficult material, and knowing how to find your way back makes the process feel safer and more in your control.
03
What a processing session can look like
When you and your therapist agree to work on a specific memory, you bring to mind a part of it, along with the thoughts and body sensations connected to it. Then you follow bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements tracking something on the screen or tapping, for short sets. Between sets, you share what you notice, briefly. You do not need to narrate the whole event out loud. Your therapist guides the pace and checks in often.
04
How it works online
Online EMDR uses the same structure. Bilateral stimulation can be done by following a moving point on your screen or by tapping your own shoulders or knees. You will want a private room, a stable connection, and a screen large enough to see clearly. Keep water nearby. Plan a few quiet minutes afterward instead of jumping straight into a meeting. If anything about the online format feels hard, say so and it can be adjusted.
05
After a session
Sessions close with time to settle before you log off. Afterward, some people feel tired, lighter, or more emotional for a day or two. Memories or dreams may surface. Write down anything you want to bring back next time, and use the grounding skills you practiced. You can always stop a set, slow down, or return to preparation. Ask during a consultation whether EMDR seems like a fit for what you are carrying.
Questions
Before You Begin
Do I have to talk about every detail?
No. EMDR does not require you to describe the full event out loud. You share brief notes on what you notice.
Can EMDR be done online?
Yes. Our sessions are online, and bilateral stimulation can be done with on-screen movement or tapping.
How many sessions will I need?
It varies from person to person. Your therapist will talk with you about pacing and check in as you go.
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