Online EMDR Therapy in Alberta

You can do EMDR therapy from home, by secure video, wherever you are in Alberta. KP Psychological offers online EMDR and trauma-focused therapy for adults across the province.

Our practice is led by Kyle Poon, M.Ed., R.Psych, an EMDRIA Approved Trainer and Consultant who has delivered EMDR online for over 6 years. On this page, we explain how online sessions work, what you will need, and how we plan for privacy and safety.

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A client at home in an online therapy session, with her psychologist smiling on the laptop screen

Does online EMDR work?

EMDR is an established psychotherapy for PTSD. Research on delivery by video is newer and encouraging. A 2024 review identified promising results across varied remote protocols but also important study limitations. A 2026 randomized trial supported remote EMDR and CBT for earthquake-related PTSD; it did not compare online with in-person EMDR.

We assess your needs and discuss whether online EMDR is a suitable option. Results vary, and we review progress with you rather than promise a particular outcome or number of sessions.

Read the evidence for online EMDR · Explore the benefits and limitations.

How eye movements, tapping and sounds work over video

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation. That simply means something that alternates between your left and right sides while you briefly bring a memory to mind. Over video, you can use any of these:

  • Eye movements. You follow a dot moving across your screen, or your psychologist's fingers moving side to side on camera.
  • Tapping. You tap gently on your own body, left then right. In the butterfly hug, for example, you cross your arms over your chest and tap your shoulders.
  • Sounds. You listen through headphones to tones that alternate between your left and right ears.

We'll try the options together and use whichever feels right. You're the one who knows your body, so you can switch at any point.

In this video, Kyle walks you through the butterfly hug, a tapping exercise you can also try at home between sessions.

What you'll need

A little set-up helps sessions run smoothly. Based on tips from the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), you'll want:

  • A quiet, private space where you won't be interrupted or overheard
  • A stable internet connection
  • A computer or tablet rather than a phone, so eye movements are easier to follow
  • Headphones, for privacy and for alternating tones
  • A few minutes beforehand to ground yourself, which means gently bringing your attention to the present
  • Buffer time afterwards, before you go back to work, driving or family life

It can also help to keep water, tissues or a blanket nearby. If you don't have a private space at home, mention it during your consult and we'll think it through together.

Privacy and security

We use secure platforms to protect your confidential information, in line with provincial and federal laws. We'll talk with you about the steps we take and how we keep your sessions secure.

You can help protect your privacy too. Wear headphones, choose a room with a door that closes, and avoid public Wi-Fi if you can.

What you share in therapy is confidential, with some legal limits. We explain those limits at the start, so there are no surprises. You can read more in our client FAQ and our privacy policy.

Safety planning, and what happens if the call drops

Doing EMDR from home means planning for safety a little differently. Before we begin, we agree on a plan together, including how we'll reconnect if the call drops.

At the start of each session, we confirm:

  • where you are for this session
  • an emergency contact
  • a phone number we can call as a backup

If the video drops, stay where you are and use a grounding skill you've practised, like slow breathing or the butterfly hug. We'll try to reconnect by video first. If that doesn't work, we'll call you by phone.

Either way, we'll take time to help you settle before the session ends. Between sessions, 9-8-8 and the other lines on our crisis support page are available any time.

Who online EMDR suits, and when we'd suggest in-person care

Online EMDR may suit you if you:

  • want therapy from the privacy and comfort of your own space
  • live in a smaller or remote community without EMDR close by
  • find travel hard because of work, health, family or winter roads
  • would rather not sit in a waiting room

Online therapy isn't right for everyone, or for every moment. We might suggest in-person or more intensive care if:

  • you're in crisis, or your safety is often at risk
  • you don't have a private, safe place to join from
  • you often "zone out" or lose time during sessions (dissociation) in a way that's hard to manage on screen
  • you try online sessions and they just don't feel right

All our sessions are online. If you start virtual therapy and decide it's not for you, we will work with you to find the appropriate referral.

Anywhere in Alberta

Online sessions are open to adults anywhere in the province, from Edmonton to Calgary and everywhere in between. That includes Red Deer, Lethbridge, St. Albert, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, Airdrie, Spruce Grove, Fort McMurray, Leduc, Okotoks, Cochrane and Canmore.

Online sessions are also an option in rural and remote communities, where finding EMDR close to home can be hard. There's no commute, no parking and no long drive home after a heavy session.

You need to be in Alberta during sessions

Our psychologists are registered in Alberta, and our sessions are for people who are physically in Alberta at the time of each session. This applies even if Alberta is home and you're only away for a few days.

If you'll be travelling outside the province, please let us know at least 24 hours ahead so we can reschedule, in line with our cancellation policy. Confirming your location at every session also helps us keep you safe.

Our experience: over 6 years of online EMDR

Kyle Poon, M.Ed., R.Psych, founded and leads KP Psychological. He has used EMDR for over 10 years and has delivered it online for over 6 years.

Kyle is an EMDRIA Approved Trainer and Consultant, and he trains other clinicians in EMDR through EMDR Consulting. Read Kyle's profile or learn about EMDR training for clinicians.

Marissa Whalley, MC, R.Psych, is an EMDR Therapist and offers online sessions across Alberta on Mondays and Thursdays. Request a free Thursday consultation with Marissa, or compare our psychologists.

Our style is calm, collaborative, and direct when needed. We explain each step, and you stay in control. If you want to stop, we stop.

Common questions

Can I do online EMDR on my phone?

We suggest a computer or tablet if you have one, in line with EMDRIA's tips for online clients. A bigger screen makes eye movements easier to follow. If a phone is all you have, tell us, and we can talk about options like tapping or tones through headphones.

What if I feel overwhelmed during a session at home?

That's an understandable worry. Before any memory work, we spend time on preparation, learning ways to calm your body and bring yourself back to the present.

During processing, you can pause or stop at any time. If you want to stop, we stop. We also leave time at the end of each session to help you settle.

What if my internet connection isn't reliable?

A stable connection helps, but it doesn't need to be perfect. Test your camera and sound before your first session, and sit close to your router if you can.

If the video drops, we'll switch to our phone backup. If video isn't workable where you live, let's talk about it during your consult.

Will my benefits cover online sessions?

Alberta Health Care (AHCIP) does not cover psychologists. Many extended health plans cover Registered Psychologists, but plans vary, so check your coverage, your annual maximum and whether you need a doctor's referral.

Veterans Affairs Canada, the RCMP, Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) and WCB-Alberta each have their own rules. See Fees and insurance for details.

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Written by Kyle Poon, M.Ed., R.Psych, EMDRIA Approved Trainer and Consultant · Reviewed October 2026

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