Not One-Size-Fits-All: Customising EMDR to Fit You
When I first began integrating EMDR into my work, one thing became clear very quickly: healing doesn’t look the same for everyone. And it shouldn’t.
Trauma is deeply personal—shaped by your history, your nervous system, your relationships, your body. So, the way we approach healing through EMDR needs to honour that. This is why I offer a range of tools for bilateral stimulation (BLS)—the gentle, rhythmic technique at the heart of EMDR—to match your preferences and needs.
Wait, What Is BLS—and Is It Just Woo?
I get it—when people first hear about tapping buzzers or moving lights helping with trauma, it can sound a little out there. But BLS is actually backed by neuroscience.
Bilateral stimulation (BLS) works by gently engaging both sides of your brain in an alternating rhythm—through eye movements, tactile pulses, or sound. This back-and-forth pattern helps the brain reprocess stuck or overwhelming memories in a way that feels safer and more manageable.
It’s not about “erasing” trauma or doing anything magical. It’s about activating your brain’s natural ability to heal. Research shows that BLS can help reduce the emotional charge of distressing memories, so you can recall what happened without feeling hijacked by it.
It’s not voodoo—it’s your nervous system finally getting what it needs to move forward.
Why Do We Even Need BLS?
When we experience trauma, the brain doesn’t always file that memory away properly—it can get “stuck,” almost like a scratch in a record that keeps looping. That’s why certain experiences, memories, or sensations feel like they hijack us long after the threat is gone.
BLS helps "unstick" those memories. It nudges the brain out of survival mode and into processing mode—where healing happens. That rhythmic left-right activation tells the nervous system: you’re safe now, and helps the brain do what it was built to do—integrate, heal, and move forward.
Your BLS Options:
Buzzies (Tappers): Tactile Stimulation
These small, hand-held devices gently buzz from one hand to the other. They’re great for clients who:
Prefer a grounding, physical sensation
Struggle with eye tracking or visual sensitivity
Want something subtle and soothing to hold
They can be especially comforting during intense sessions or when we’re doing deeper trauma reprocessing.
Headphones: Auditory Stimulation
Some clients feel more at ease with sound. BLS through headphones involves soft tones alternating between your left and right ears. It’s a good fit if:
You find sound relaxing or focusing
You prefer to close your eyes during sessions
You have a strong auditory learning style
This option is also easy to use in virtual EMDR sessions.
Light Bar: Visual Stimulation
The most classic version of BLS uses a light bar—a small strip with a light that moves left to right—for your eyes to follow. This can be very effective for:
Clients who like a structured, visual rhythm
Those who find eye movements help them “stay with” the memory in a focused way
Individuals who enjoy the traditional EMDR setup
Your Healing, Your Way
As an EMDR Accredited Practitioner, I bring a trauma-informed, flexible approach to every session. I don’t just choose a tool and hope it sticks—we explore together. Sometimes we switch between tools depending on how your nervous system is responding that day. That’s not only okay—it’s encouraged.
This is your healing process. You get to have a say in how it looks, feels, and unfolds.
Whether you feel most grounded by the soft pulse of buzzies, the calming rhythm of alternating tones, or the visual flow of the light bar, my goal is to support you in a way that feels safe, manageable, and effective.
In-Person and Online Sessions Available
I offer both in-office and telehealth EMDR sessions, and yes—custom BLS is still possible online. We’ll figure out what works best for your situation and comfort level.
You don’t have to fit into a mold. I’m here to meet you where you are.
Let’s find your rhythm.