Virtual EMDR Therapy Clinic | Online EMDR Therapy NZ | The EMDR Therapy Clinic
The EMDR Therapy Clinic · Virtual Clinic

EMDR Therapy,
wherever you are in New Zealand

Professional, evidence-based EMDR therapy delivered online.

Book a Virtual Session Contact Us

Auckland – Milford· Auckland – Ponsonby· Auckland – Parnell· Online – Nationwide NZ

The EMDR Therapy Clinic’s Virtual Clinic brings specialist trauma treatment to you, at home, in a private space of your choosing, anywhere in New Zealand. Sessions are conducted by Dr JC Coetzee, Clinical Psychologist, using Bilateral Base, a dedicated EMDR therapy telehealth platform that replicates the bilateral stimulation experience of in-person treatment.

What Is Virtual EMDR Therapy

The full EMDR Therapy experience, online

Virtual EMDR therapy delivers the complete, structured eight-phase EMDR therapy protocol through a secure video connection. Nothing is abbreviated or adapted away. You receive the same thorough clinical assessment, the same carefully paced treatment, and the same specialist oversight as in-person sessions at any of our Auckland locations.

The critical difference from standard telehealth is bilateral stimulation. In-person EMDR therapy uses eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones to activate the brain’s natural information-processing system during reprocessing. Online, this is made possible through Bilateral Base, a purpose-built EMDR therapy platform that delivers smooth, calibrated bilateral stimulation directly through your screen and headphones, without any additional equipment.

Research consistently supports the efficacy of online EMDR therapy, with outcomes comparable to face-to-face delivery for the majority of presentations.

Powered By
Bilateral Base

Bilateral Base is a dedicated EMDR therapy telehealth platform, purpose-built for professional EMDR therapy practice. It integrates secure HD video with clinician-controlled bilateral stimulation, delivering visual, auditory, and tactile BLS options in real time.

Your therapist controls all stimulation settings throughout the session, exactly as in a consulting room. You need only a device, headphones, and a private space.

Dedicated EMDR Therapy Platform

Research consistently demonstrates that online EMDR therapy produces outcomes comparable to face-to-face delivery for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and related presentations.

World Health Organisation · EMDR International Association · Published clinical literature
The Process

How a virtual session works

From your first contact to your first session, the process is straightforward. Here is what to expect.

01
Initial Enquiry

Contact the clinic via the website. Dr Coetzee will respond personally to confirm suitability for virtual EMDR therapy and answer any questions before proceeding.

02
Intake & Assessment

You complete the clinic’s secure online intake questionnaire. A comprehensive Phase 1 clinical assessment is conducted in your first session to inform your individual treatment plan.

03
Platform Setup

You receive a Bilateral Base session link by email. No account or download is required. You join via any modern browser on a laptop, desktop, or tablet. Headphones are recommended.

04
Your Session

Sessions follow the full EMDR therapy protocol. Dr Coetzee manages all clinical and platform controls. You focus entirely on the therapeutic process.

Bilateral Base Platform

Professional bilateral stimulation, delivered online

Bilateral Base was designed specifically for EMDR therapy practitioners. It gives your therapist full clinical control over bilateral stimulation throughout each session, replicating the in-room experience as closely as technology allows.

Visual Bilateral Stimulation

A smooth moving stimulus tracks across your screen, replicating the eye movement component of in-person EMDR therapy. Speed and span are adjusted by your therapist in real time.

Auditory Bilateral Stimulation

Alternating tones delivered through your headphones provide left-right auditory BLS, an effective alternative or supplement to visual stimulation, particularly useful where visual focus is difficult.

Therapist-Controlled BLS

Dr Coetzee retains full control of all stimulation parameters throughout your session, including speed, direction, and modality, allowing precise clinical responsiveness to your processing in real time.

Secure, Encrypted Connection

All Bilateral Base sessions are conducted over an encrypted connection. Your session content remains entirely private and is never recorded.

No Software to Install

Bilateral Base runs entirely in your browser. There is nothing to download or configure. You receive a session link by email and join with a single click.

Full Session Duration

Virtual sessions are the same duration as in-person appointments. The platform is optimised for extended clinical use, with stable performance throughout 50 or 90-minute sessions.

Suitability

Is virtual EMDR Therapy right for you?

Virtual EMDR therapy is clinically appropriate for the majority of presentations. The following helps clarify whether online sessions are a suitable fit for your situation.

Virtual EMDR Therapy is well suited for
  • Clients located outside Auckland or in regional New Zealand
  • Those who prefer the privacy and comfort of their own environment
  • Busy professionals, parents, or those with limited availability for travel
  • Single-incident trauma, PTSD, anxiety, grief, and adjustment presentations
  • Clients continuing EMDR therapy after prior in-person work
  • EMDR SPORT performance optimisation and resilience sessions
  • Clients with mobility limitations or health conditions affecting travel
We will assess together whether in-person is preferable for
  • Complex trauma or dissociative presentations requiring intensive Phase 2 stabilisation
  • Clients who have found it difficult to maintain safety in previous online sessions
  • Those with limited access to a private, quiet space at home
  • Presentations requiring close somatic observation and body-based intervention
  • Clients new to therapy with significant current life instability

If you are unsure, contact the clinic. Dr Coetzee will discuss your situation personally and recommend the most appropriate format before any commitment is made.

Technical Requirements

What you need for your virtual session

The technical requirements are minimal. If you can make a video call, you can participate in a virtual EMDR therapy session.

Laptop, desktop, or tablet

A larger screen enhances the visual BLS experience. Smartphones are not recommended for EMDR therapy sessions.

Headphones or earbuds

Required for auditory bilateral stimulation. Over-ear headphones provide the best bilateral audio experience.

Stable internet connection

A standard broadband or 4G connection is sufficient. A wired connection or strong Wi-Fi signal is preferable.

A private, quiet space

You will need an uninterrupted environment where you feel safe to speak openly and engage in therapeutic work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about virtual EMDR Therapy

Is online EMDR therapy as effective as in-person?+
Yes, for the majority of presentations. The research evidence for online EMDR therapy is strong, with studies demonstrating outcomes comparable to face-to-face treatment for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and related presentations. The critical element, bilateral stimulation, is delivered effectively through Bilateral Base. Dr Coetzee will discuss your specific situation before recommending a format.
What is Bilateral Base and why does the clinic use it?+
Bilateral Base is a dedicated EMDR therapy telehealth platform designed specifically for professional EMDR therapy practice. Unlike generic video platforms, it integrates clinician-controlled bilateral stimulation directly into the session interface. This means your therapist can deliver and adjust BLS in real time without interrupting the therapeutic process. The clinic uses Bilateral Base because it most closely replicates the clinical experience of in-person EMDR therapy.
Do I need to install any software or create an account?+
No. Bilateral Base runs entirely in your web browser. You will receive a unique session link by email before your appointment. Simply click the link, allow camera and microphone access, and your session will begin. No downloads, installations, or accounts are required.
Is my session private and confidential?+
Yes. All Bilateral Base sessions are conducted over an encrypted connection. Session content is not recorded. The same professional duty of confidentiality that applies to in-person EMDR therapy applies fully to virtual sessions. Your clinical information is held in accordance with the Health Information Privacy Code and the New Zealand Privacy Act.
Can I switch between virtual and in-person sessions?+
Yes. Many clients alternate between virtual and in-person sessions depending on their schedule, location, or clinical needs at different phases of treatment. This can be discussed and arranged with Dr Coetzee at any point.
I live outside Auckland. Can I still access EMDR therapy through the clinic?+
Yes. The Virtual EMDR Therapy Clinic was developed specifically to extend access to specialist EMDR therapy to clients throughout New Zealand. Whether you are in Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, or a regional centre, you can access the same quality of specialist care available at the Auckland locations.
What if I experience strong emotions during an online session?+
This is a normal and expected part of EMDR therapy processing. Dr Coetzee is trained to manage emotional activation within sessions regardless of delivery format. Before reprocessing commences, adequate stabilisation and resourcing work is completed, including strategies you can use independently between sessions. Should a session end with significant activation, a clear containment and safety plan will always be in place.
The EMDR Therapy Clinic · Auckland & Online

Ready to start virtual
EMDR Therapy?

Dr JC Coetzee · PhD · Clinical Psychologist · Advanced EMDR Therapy Specialist

Book a Virtual Session Contact Us →

In-person sessions available at Milford, Ponsonby, and Parnell