Benefits of online EMDR—and when another setting may help

Access a psychologist from across Alberta

You can meet by secure video from Edmonton, Calgary, a smaller community or a rural area. This can widen your choice when local EMDR services are limited. You still need to check the psychologist’s training, areas of practice, fees and availability.

At KP Psychological, Kyle Poon works with adults and focuses on EMDR and trauma, including complex trauma and dissociation. Marissa Whalley sees individuals aged 16 and older and couples, with a main focus on anxiety, relationships and stress, and also works with trauma and PTSD.

Reduce travel and make appointments easier to fit in

There is no trip to an office, parking or drive home after a session. That may help when distance, mobility, caregiving, work schedules or Alberta winter conditions make travel difficult. Online appointments still require uninterrupted time; they are not designed to happen while driving, working or caring for someone else.

Allow some time after a session before returning to demanding tasks. Without a commute, you may need to create your own transition back into the day.

Work from a familiar space

Some people prefer their own room and the ability to choose a comfortable chair, lighting and nearby grounding objects. Others feel safer or more focused in a therapist’s office. Familiar surroundings are helpful only if you can speak freely without being overheard or interrupted.

In interviews from a UK service evaluation, clients described advantages such as avoiding travel and feeling more in control. Privacy and the transition back to daily life were also concerns. Experiences varied. Read Strelchuk et al. (2023).

Keep the work collaborative

Online EMDR is live psychotherapy. Your psychologist discusses your history, goals, readiness and treatment options with you. Preparation and pacing remain part of treatment. You can ask questions, request a pause or say that the format is not working for you.

Alternating eye movements, self-tapping or sounds can be adapted for video sessions with your psychologist. A website exercise or app is not a replacement for assessment and an individual treatment plan. Learn what to expect in EMDR.

What the benefits do not tell us

Convenience does not guarantee a better clinical outcome. Online EMDR is not necessarily faster, cheaper or more effective than in-person care. Research is encouraging, but the strength of the evidence varies by study and population. Read our guide to the evidence for online EMDR.

When online sessions may not be the best fit

• You do not have a private, safe place to talk.
• Your connection, device or accessibility needs make it difficult to participate.
• You need immediate crisis support or a level of care that cannot be provided through scheduled online appointments.
• You find it hard to stay connected and grounded during video sessions, or prefer in-person care.

Dissociation and complex trauma call for careful assessment and pacing; they are not automatic exclusions from online care. Talk about your experience and support needs before starting. KP Psychological is an online practice. If another setting would better meet your needs, we can discuss an appropriate referral.

A practical checklist before starting

• A private room where you can speak without being overheard.
• A stable connection, working camera and sound, and a device you can use comfortably.
• Your current location and a plan with your psychologist if the connection drops.
• Time to prepare beforehand and settle afterwards.
• A discussion of fees, coverage, current availability and what you hope to change.

How online EMDR sessions work at KP Psychological · Fees and insurance.

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