Virtual EMDR Therapy in Orlando & Across Florida: 8 Common Questions Answered
- Tiffany Lowther
- 18 hours ago
- 6 min read
As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MH13737) in Florida, certified in both EMDR and Perinatal Mental Health, I often hear the same questions from those interested in virtual counseling, especially those wanting to do virtual EMDR in Orlando and all across the state of Florida. Many clients want to know if virtual EMDR is safe, confidential and as effective as in-person or in-office EMDR. I do my best to list and answer 8 of the most common questions I receive below. Feel free to reach out if there's anything left unanswered.
8 Common Virtual EMDR Questions and Answers
1) Does EMDR really work if it’s done virtually?
The short answer: Yes.
The longer answer: Yes. The majority of the time, with a few important caveats that a qualified EMDR therapist will assess.
Research has shown that EMDR delivered via telehealth produces outcomes comparable to in-person EMDR when sessions are conducted appropriately and with proper screening. Studies comparing in-person and virtual trauma therapy have found no significant differences in treatment effectiveness when clients feel safe, supported, and minimally distracted.
2) Do I need to purchase anything?
The short answer: Nope! As long as you have a phone or laptop, you're good to go.
The longer answer: You may have heard of lightbars, buzzers, tappers in offices. These are great tools and I have them in my office for in-person sessions but, virtually you don't need any of these devices. When doing EMDR virtually there are many other free and effective tools in the toolbox to make EMDR effective.
3) What Does EMDR look like on my laptop or phone?
The longer answer: Virtual EMDR can be done a few different ways. I work with clients to figure out the best tool and way(s) work for them. You can tap back and forth with your hands fast on your knees, shoulders, chest, feet. I'll share my screen and you can follow a ball (watch video below) back and forth on your laptop or phone. You can also follow my fingers on the screen to the left and right or I can guide you for simple left to right movements to create effective bilateral stimulation, which is the foundation of EMDR, self-soothing and treating trauma.
Here's an example of what I use often for virtual EMDR. Want to learn more about bilateral stimulation and what that means? Click here to read about the benefits of BLS (bilateral stimulation) and EMDR.
4) What are the benefits to Virtual EMDR?
Over the years I've witnessed and heard from my clients many benefits to being able to do EMDR virtually from their home. There's also research that shows the benefit of virtual EMDR.
Some of these benefits include:
Saves time! doing EMDR during their lunch break, end of the day, morning. Ultimately, it saves you a commute to and from my office.
Saves P.T.O. and money. If you're taking off less time at work, you are saving money.
Doing EMDR from the comfort of the home or office
Seeing a highly skilled and trained EMDR therapists from anywhere in the state of Florida. If you live in a rural area or just want to drive that far- you can do EMDR with me, certified EMDR therapist from anywhere in the state of Florida.
Practice skills in the same place where you might struggle in your day to day life. This can improve how you feel in those spaces and places, in real time.
Introduction of EMDR Therapy- Understanding EMDR
5) What Makes Virtual EMDR the MOST Effective?
Make sure you have a private, secure environment (kids are being watched, friends and family aren't walking into the room)
Limit external distractions. Turn off or silence phones, music, television.
Have a strong internet connection and check the connection before the session. If possible, have the session closest to the modem and router.
You're working with a skilled and certified EMDR therapist, such as me, that is going through the 8 phases of EMDR properly, completes a thorough safety and readiness assessment prior to trauma processing. They should answer any questions and explain every step along the way.
The therapist should make sure that no mystery or surprise to what you are doing and why you are doing it.
Proper prepping by the therapist for session, grounding tools and healthy rituals to separate the space after end of session.
There should be a reminder that you can stop EMDR at anytime with a signal, stopping eye movement or tapping and the therapist should have discussed and observed non-verbals of signs when you are outside of the "window of tolerance" and need a break.
If following virtual bilateral stimulation with your eyes, a laptop or computer is best. If doing self-tapping, you can use your phone or laptop.
6) What Makes Virtual EMDR the LEAST Effective?
Unskilled or improperly trained EMDR therapist. Therapist pushing you too slow or fast, not letting you know and understanding the benefits and risks of EMDR.
The therapist rushes through the EMDR steps and client isn't safely set up for EMDR processing.
Therapist seems distracted or disinterested. The EMDR therapist is not paying attention to you and isn't monitoring you closely. It's vital that the therapist closely monitors what you are doing, saying and your non-verbal reactions, especially during a virtual session.
People at home and multiple distractions. People coming in and out of the room. Not being in a separate, confidential space where you are away from others.
Television, phone, loud noises or music on in the background
A weak, poor internet connection
Certain diagnoses like dissociation, severe depression and a few others where being in an office might be better suited for the client. The therapist should correctly assess and advise what might be best therapeutically.
The EMDR Therapist is responsible for setting up clients for success!
Research consistently shows that therapeutic rapport and clinician competence play a larger role in outcomes than the physical setting itself. What matters most is not where EMDR happens, but how it’s done. The clinical skill and EMDR-specific training of the therapist significantly impacts treatment effectiveness. When EMDR sessions aren't effective it's often the therapist who is responsible for the poor outcome, not the client!
7) Can you switch back and forth between virtual and in-person EMDR?
The short answer: Yes!
The longer answer: Yes. One week you can come in my office, the next you can do the session virtual, or do all the sessions virtually. Once you and I find it clinically appropriate to do virtual EMDR you can pick and choose whatever location works best for you. Keep it the same or change it up. It doesn't change the outcomes of EMDR.
Research supports a flexible, client-centered approach to trauma treatment delivery, including combining in-person and telehealth sessions when it enhances safety, accessibility, and continuity of care. I offer both in-person EMDR sessions and virtual EMDR, and we collaboratively determine the format that best supports your nervous system and treatment goals. It's important to have the option of doing emdr in office or at your home, whichever works best for you.
8) Is EMDR safe when I’m trying to get pregnant or while I’m pregnant?
The short answer: Yes.
The longer answer: Yes and EMDR is considered safe during pregnancy and can be recommended recommended for many situations!
I am certified in perinatal (pregnancy and postpartum) mental health and regularly provide EMDR for pregnant and postpartum clients. Multiple studies demonstrate that EMDR while pregnant and postpartum is a safe and effective treatment for trauma during pregnancy and does not increase maternal or fetal risk when conducted by a trained and certified clinician. It can also be extremely helpful when preparing for childbirth, navigating parenting or postpartum and helping the body feel more capable and stable for the transition of motherhood or fatherhood.
Research shows that pregnant clients who receive EMDR experience reduced distress, fewer intrusive symptoms, increased confidence, and greater emotional regulation—all of which contribute to improved preparation for childbirth and the postpartum period.
When done thoughtfully and by a trained and certified EMDR and Perinatal Mental Health clinician, such as Tiffany Lowther, whether virtual or in-person, can be a powerful, evidence-based tool for healing, empowerment, and nervous-system regulation during pregnancy and beyond.
As an EMDR therapist for over 14 years in Orlando, FL and a virtual EMDR provider for more than 5 years, I always focus on delivering quality EMDR safely, ethically, and in alignment with best-practice guidelines so clients receive meaningful, lasting results. I am passionate about this modality and have seen so many lives changed for the better. It's hard work, but good work and can lead to life transformative results. To learn more and to schedule, click here.
Next Steps: Reach Out Today to Schedule
Do you live in the Florida, Central Florida, Orlando, Winter Park area and would like to do EMDR? Take the first step towards rapid healing and achieving your goals by scheduling your virtual or in-person EMDR therapy session today or a 15 minute free consultation to see if EMDR or counseling would be a good fit for you. Certified provider, Tiffany Lowther, is available to guide you through the transformative process. Contact us now to secure your appointment and experience the powerful benefits of EMDR therapy. Visit www.EMDRIA.org, the official resource from the EMDR International Association, for in-depth information and research on the therapy.
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