Step 1: Choosing the right platform
As the Online EMDR will be delivered “face to face” over the internet, we need to first agree on a platform for doing this. Up until recently (and occasionally still) we have been using Zoom. Zoom is easy to use, secure and with very few problems – just what we need.
However, more recently we use bilateral base – a purpose built online EMDR platform, with visual and auditory forms of BLS for us to use in processing. When you decide to take up Online EMDR with us, we’ll send you a link to either bilateral base or Zoom (your choice!) and we’ll take it from there.
It goes without saying that, given the nature of the type of work we do in online EMDR (i.e., focusing upon significant traumatic life events), it is really important that the medium that we agree on is secure and that there is no potential for accidentally sharing any personal information over social media. Your confidentiality and security is paramount.
Step 2: Choosing how to do the Bilateral stimulation
A key feature of EMDR therapy is Bilateral Stimulation (BLS). Bilateral stimulation is applied in EMDR treatment to help with desensitisation and reprocessing of traumatic memories.
EMDR takes its name from one of these methods, “Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing.” Eye movements are typically administered from side to side however other
directions can be used also. Other methods can involve tapping or listening to sounds on alternate sides of the ear. This how we do this online:
· The Butterfly Hug/Technique – The butterfly technique is a way of us doing self-administered BLS and has gotten its name from the fact that we create a sort of “butterfly” with our hands. We cross one of our hands over the other and then place this “butterfly” on our chest, so that the fingers can “flutter” whilst we focus upon whatever material we are processing in EMDR at the time.
· Use the visual and audio functions of Bilateral Base, the purpose built EMDR Online platform.
· Using a downloadable app such as BSDR player or EMDR for clinicians – both of which are available for Android and IOS.
Once your preferred method has been agreed upon, then we are ready to go.
Step 3: The environment
As the session will be conducted remotely, the environment that you choose to access the online EMDR therapy is up to you. However, here are a few suggestions.
Firstly, try to choose somewhere where you won’t be interrupted for the duration of the session. This is your time and to get the best from treatment you deserve to be able to give it your full attention. Whilst a quiet room at home might be suitable for some people, for some it might not. If the latter is the case, then you may wish to use a room at a friend’s or family member’s house.
Secondly, as is the case with many types of therapeutic process, there will often be high levels of emotion involved in treatment. Try to choose an environment in which you can have the privacy and safety to express these emotions. If we feel tearful or anxious during treatment, then it’s helpful that we have the space and privacy to process this.
Third, EMDR involves Bilateral Stimulation and there are many different approaches that we can take to doing this (see above). However, some of these approaches go beyond the initial side to side eye movements and instead may use more tactile approaches such as “the butterfly technique” or leg tapping. It is important that you are in a place where you can freely use techniques such as these. Using the butterfly technique whilst sitting in your car may draw some attention.
Lastly – As this EMDR is online, we need to make sure that we can stay online. Of course, this may sometimes be down to technical problems beyond our control but we really want to aim for a steady online signal whilst we access the EMDR online session.
Once you are happy with the above then it is time to book your session. Sessions cost £75 for one session, with each session lasting between 50 mins to 1 hour.
