Does EMDR Always Use A Light Bar?

No, EMDR doesn’t always use a light bar—but there’s a reason this is a common question. EMDR started with tools like light bars to create bilateral stimulation (BLS), which is an essential component of this type of therapy. While those tools can be effective, they aren’t the only way to create BLS. 

How Does an EMDR Light Bar Work?

An EMDR light bar works by flashing lights in a rapid sequence, moving from left to right and back again across the bar. By visually tracking these lights, patients experience BLS, which is a core component of EMDR. Sometimes, a light bar is a literal, physical bar of lights that your therapist may have in their office, but it can also be an animated or recorded video for you to watch on a screen.

Are There Alternatives to EMDR Light Bars?

Yes, there are several alternatives to light bars for EMDR. The best option for you will depend on your sensory preferences, whether your appointments are in-person or via telehealth, and which tools your therapist has the most experience with. Here are a few popular alternatives to light bars that our therapists at Phoenix Therapeutics can use to create BLS.

Pulsers

These tools, also known as tappers or buzzers, are devices that you will either hold in your hands or strap onto your wrists during an EMDR session. They will create a physical sensation on alternating sides of your body, approximately every 1-3 seconds, to create bilateral stimulation in your brain.

A pair of pulsers that we use at Phoenix Therapeutics for EMDR.

Neural Beats

With neural beats, you may use speakers or headphones to listen to audio tracks with sounds that move from left to right, creating BLS. Sometimes, these tracks will also use binaural beats, which use slightly different sound frequencies in each ear. The brain perceives binaural beats as a single third tone, which can create a sense of calm and relaxation for some listeners.

Tapping

Therapists can also create BLS through manually tapping on different sides of your body, often either on your hands or knees. The tapping follows a similar pattern to pulsers or neural beats, alternating tapping on either side of the body every few seconds.

Manual Visual Tracking Tools

Your therapist may trigger BLS through manual visual tracking tools such as a wand, finger, or other object, moving them back and forth approximately 18 inches in front of your face. This can often be more engaging for younger patients compared to light bars or tapping.

Screens

Another method for creating BLS is having patients watch an object move back and forth on a screen, such as a smartphone or tablet. Some examples include animations of a bouncing ball or pulsating geometric shapes on alternating sides of the screen.

Can I Do EMDR Remotely?

Yes, many tools for creating BLS will work just as well remotely, including virtual light bars, neural beats, and tapping. Not all therapists are comfortable doing EMDR remotely, but we often do remote EMDR sessions with our patients at Phoenix Therapeutics. 

For remote EMDR sessions to be successful, it is important that you have:

• A private space to participate from.

• A strong, secure internet connection.

• A device with a screen and speakers or headphones to join the call with.

Whether you alternate between in-person and telehealth appointments or need all of your appointments to be fully remote, you can work with our team of experienced trauma therapists to figure out an appointment schedule that works well for you. 

Taking the Next Step

EMDR can be a great tool to support your healing journey, whether you are trying to recover from trauma that happened a few days ago or decades in the past. Our team is experienced in supporting individuals, couples, and families with a variety of types of therapy, including EMDR and CBT.

To get started with trauma therapy, get in touch with us via call or text at (224) 276 - 8930 or via email at info@phoenixtherapeutics.org. Let us know if you are specifically interested in EMDR and we will match you with one of our therapists that is experienced with this modality.