EMDR Teletherapy Setup Guide.
The challenge of remote EMDR
In-person EMDR is operationally simple: the therapist controls the light bar or tappers, the client is in the room. Remote EMDR introduces a logistical layer that in-person doesn't have: the client needs their own bilateral stimulation source, and the therapist needs to be able to guide it in real time.
This guide covers the practical decisions — which BLS approach to use, how to set clients up, which video platform to run alongside, and what to do when something goes wrong mid-session.
Step 1: Choose your bilateral stimulation approach
Three options for remote BLS, in order of technical simplicity:
Option A — Visual only
The client watches a moving stimulus on-screen. Works on any video platform. No additional hardware or app needed. TheraJoy's visual light bar can be shared via screen share, or the client can run the app's visual mode independently.
Some clients find on-screen visual BLS harder to track than in-person — the screen distance and size can make the stimulus feel less immersive.
Option B — Client-side app, therapist-controlled (recommended)
Client installs TheraJoy (free), therapist shares a session code via the Pro plan, therapist controls BLS speed, intensity, and modality from their own device in real time. Client needs Joy-Con controllers for tactile BLS, or can use visual/auditory only.
Best balance of therapist control and client accessibility. No per-client cost; each client downloads the app free.
Option C — Client-owned hardware
Client purchases dedicated tappers (TheraTapper, NeuroTek, etc.) and operates them independently during sessions. Therapist guides verbally ("start tapping", "faster", "stop").
Higher upfront cost for clients ($100–$450). Therapist has no real-time control over speed or intensity. Harder to coordinate protocol adjustments mid-set.
Step 2: Client tech setup
Before the first remote EMDR session, walk the client through setup in a non-processing session — ideally at least one week before you plan to start trauma work:
- Install TheraJoy from the App Store (free, no account needed to join a session)
- If using tactile BLS, pair Joy-Con controllers via iPhone Bluetooth — the Joy-Con setup guide covers this in five steps
- Test the connection with you in a live session before doing any trauma processing
- Confirm Joy-Cons are charged and the phone is not in Silent mode (Silent mode disables haptics on some iOS versions)
Step 3: Video platform
Standard HIPAA-compliant video platforms all work alongside TheraJoy: SimplePractice, Doxy.me, Zoom for Healthcare, or Telehealth by SimplePractice. The key is keeping video and BLS separate — TheraJoy runs alongside the video call, not through it.
You don't need to share your screen. The therapist's TheraJoy session controls the client's app remotely — the client sees the BLS on their own device and holds the Joy-Cons while talking to you on video.
Step 4: Session flow for remote EMDR
- Open with a 2-minute tech check: confirm the client can feel the haptic alternation and the connection is stable before entering any trauma material
- Share session code: in TheraJoy Pro, share your code at the start of each session; the client enters it and you see them connected in real time
- Run the session as normal: adjust speed and intensity from your device — changes propagate to the client's controllers immediately
- Have a verbal backup: if tech fails mid-processing set, shift the client to self-tapping (alternately tapping knees) until the connection is restored. Don't leave an activated client waiting on hold with tech support
Common pitfalls
- Silent mode: iOS silences haptic feedback on some versions when the physical silent switch is on. Remind clients before every session.
- Low Joy-Con battery: Joy-Cons give no obvious low-battery warning before cutting out. 30% before sessions is a safe threshold.
- Bluetooth range: if a client's router is between them and their phone, Bluetooth can drop intermittently. Have them keep the iPhone within 3–4 feet.
- iOS update: occasionally an iOS update changes haptic behavior. If a client reports unexpected changes, have them check for app updates too.
Is remote EMDR as effective as in-person?
Research on telehealth EMDR is growing. A 2021 study in Frontiers in Psychology found telehealth EMDR produced comparable outcomes to in-person delivery for PTSD. The BLS modality matters less than therapist skill, client preparation, and a stable tech setup.
For a broader overview of EMDR teletherapy and how the app supports remote practice, see the clinician-focused overview. For a full list of EMDR tools for therapists, including the practice economics of equipping a caseload, see that guide.