Reflections on my EMDR Training & Telehealth Practice
As a perinatal mental health clinician, I am continually aware that many of the clients I serve carry layered trauma in the form of reproductive loss, medical trauma, birth experiences that did not unfold as hoped, and the quieter but persistent wounds of identity shifts and relational strain.
My recent EMDR training through the Touchstone Institute has felt both grounding and expansive, offering a structured yet deeply humane framework for working with these experiences in a way that honors the nervous system, pacing, and client autonomy.
“So, what really is EMDR?” many clients ask.
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach designed to help the brain and body process traumatic memories, distressing experiences, and unhelpful beliefs.
By engaging both sides of the brain through bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, taps, or auditory tones, EMDR helps clients metabolize experiences that have been “stuck,” reducing emotional intensity and fostering more adaptive beliefs and emotional responses.
EMDR is not about forgetting or erasing the past; it’s about helping the nervous system integrate memories so they no longer cause overwhelming distress in the present.
What has stood out most in training is the emphasis on preparation and attunement.
EMDR is often described by clients as “powerful,” and that power requires care.
The time spent strengthening resourcing, identifying targets thoughtfully, and building a shared language around safety has reinforced my belief that EMDR is not a technique layered onto therapy, instead it is a relational process.
This feels especially aligned with perinatal work, where trust and stabilization are foundational.
One of the most practical shifts in my work has been the integration of bilateral stimulation through tapping.
Using tactile bilateral stimulation in session has been accessible, gentle, and surprisingly effective.
Many clients appreciate the simplicity of tapping, especially those who already feel overwhelmed by complex coping strategies. It offers a way to stay embodied and present without needing to “do it perfectly.” I have noticed that tapping can reduce performance anxiety for clients who worry about “getting EMDR right,” reinforcing that their role is to notice rather than to force change.
Tapping, in EMDR, refers to gentle, alternating touches on the body to engage both sides of the brain. A common method is crossing the arms in an “X” shape and lightly tapping opposite shoulders or upper arms, one hand at a time, in a rhythmic pattern. Some clients tap opposite knees, hands, or sides of the body or any location that is comfortable and allows alternating stimulation.
The taps are gentle and quick, meant to support processing of memories, emotions, and negative beliefs while helping the nervous system stay present and grounded.
Providing EMDR via telehealth initially came with understandable hesitation, both for me and for clients.
Questions arose around containment, safety, and whether the depth of processing would translate through a screen... These concerns were addressed directly and collaboratively. We slowed the process, reviewed grounding plans more thoroughly, and normalized pauses or check-ins as part of the work rather than interruptions to it.
In practice, EMDR through telehealth has gone remarkably well.
Clients are often in familiar environments, which can increase a sense of control and comfort. Many appreciate having immediate access to their own grounding tools such as weighted blankets, pets, supportive partners nearby, or a favorite chair.
From my perspective, telehealth has required me to sharpen my observational skills, paying close attention to subtle shifts in affect, posture, and pacing. This has ultimately deepened my clinical presence rather than diminished it.
Throughout this work, I am continually struck by the bravery of my clients.
Choosing to engage in EMDR requires such courage. Many clients come in carrying understandable fear: What if this is too much? What if I uncover something I can’t handle?
Their willingness to trust the process, their own nervous systems, and our therapeutic relationship speaks to a deep desire for healing and integration rather than avoidance.
As I continue integrating EMDR into my perinatal practice, I feel both humbled and encouraged.
The training through The Touchstone Institute has strengthened my clinical confidence while also reminding me to move slowly, respectfully, and collaboratively.
For clients navigating some of the most vulnerable seasons of life, EMDR has become another way to offer hope, not by erasing the past, but by helping it take up less space in the present.
If you are a client reading this article, I hope that you are encouraged and reminded of the incredible work you are doing in caring for your story and pain!