Types of Bilateral Stimulation for EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a well-established therapy for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and helping individuals recover from disturbing life experiences. EMDR is also effective in addressing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and emotional distress.
EMDR treatment involves the desensitization and reprocessing of trauma memories. A core component of EMDR therapy is Bilateral Stimulation (BLS), also referred to as Dual Attention Stimuli (DAS). During EMDR, clients focus on a disturbing memory—along with associated thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and body sensations—while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation.
Bilateral stimulation may include eye movements, tactile input, or auditory tones. This process is believed to reduce emotional intensity and memory vividness while activating the brain’s natural information-processing system. By taxing working memory, EMDR allows new, more adaptive associations to form, supporting healing and long-term emotional wellness. BLS also helps anchor clients in the present moment—keeping one foot in the therapy room while the other engages with the memory.
Before trauma processing begins, your EMDR therapist will introduce bilateral stimulation methods and determine which option is the best fit for you.
Types of Bilateral Stimulation Used in EMDR Therapy
Eye Movements (Light Bar or Wand)
Eye movements are the most commonly used form of bilateral stimulation in EMDR therapy. This method typically involves tracking a light bar or wand as it moves back and forth across the visual field.
Eye movements are believed to mirror the brain activity that occurs during REM sleep, supporting natural memory processing. However, clients with seizure disorders or traumatic brain injuries (TBI) may not be well-suited for this method and may benefit more from tactile or auditory bilateral stimulation.
Tactile Bilateral Stimulation (Handheld Devices or Self-Tapping)
Tactile bilateral stimulation involves physical sensations, often delivered through electronic tapping devices with paddles held in each hand. These devices alternate stimulation from left to right.
Clients may also use self-tapping techniques such as the Butterfly Hug—crossing the arms over the chest and gently tapping the collarbone area—or tapping alternately on each leg.
With client consent, therapists may also provide tactile stimulation by gently tapping the tops of the client’s hands while they rest on a table or their legs.
Auditory Bilateral Stimulation (Headphones)
Auditory bilateral stimulation uses alternating sounds delivered through headphones, such as tones or music shifting from one ear to the other. Some clients find auditory stimulation to be especially grounding and effective.
Vancouver EMDR Therapy PLLC
Additional Posts
Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) can be difficult to explain because much of the work happens beneath conscious awareness. Clients may notice changes in sensations, emotions, images, or body responses that can be hard to put into words. One way to understand [...]
Ketamine-Assisted EMDR Therapy (KA-EMDR®) combines EMDR therapy with low-dose sublingual ketamine to offer another approach to trauma healing. When You’ve Done the Work but Still Feel Stuck “I’ve done the work. I understand my trauma. Why do I still feel this [...]
What if trauma therapy could address both the processing of traumatic experiences and the way your nervous system responds to them? Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) and LENS Neurofeedback are two different brain-based approaches that can sometimes be used together to support [...]
When we think about trauma, we often think about fear, sadness, anger, or other emotions. But trauma can also leave something deeper behind: shock. Deep Brain Reorienting™ was developed by Dr. Frank Corrigan, a psychiatrist whose research and clinical work in [...]
