Bilateral Stimulation Used in studied protocols

Listen to alternating sounds

Audio bilateral stimulation for clinician-led sessions.

This is a reference tool, not a replacement for EMDR therapy. EMDR must be delivered by a trained clinician. If you are using these tools outside of therapy and become distressed, stop, ground yourself, and contact a mental health professional.

Before you start

Headphones required — stereo separation is what makes this bilateral.
Not recommended for home use without clinician supervision.

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Settings

Preset

Preset name

Motion

Speed (Hz) 1.0 Passes / set 24 Continuous

Appearance

Color theme Target color

Sound

Sound Pitch (Hz) 440 Left-right separation 85% Sound style Volume 30% Chime at the end of a set

Background sound Background level Base pitch (Hz) 200 Offset (Hz) 4.0

Headphones needed for left-right separation.

Settings saved on this device

0 / 24

This tool uses alternating left-right sound by design. If that's uncomfortable, consider the tapping or butterfly-hug tool instead.

Clinical sources

Audio Bilateral Stimulation

What the evidence supports

Research on a complete therapy does not establish that an isolated activity or this website produces the same outcomes. EMDR includes assessment, preparation, memory work and follow-up with a trained clinician. Its mechanisms are still being studied.

These pages compile published sources. An independent clinical review of this site and a trial of its tools are not documented here. Labels describe the technique’s use context; they are not an efficacy certification.

VA: EMDR evidence and limitations · NICE: recommendations by age and context

Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures, 3rd ed. Guilford Press.

How to use this activity and clinical context

What this is

Alternating left/right stereo tones delivered via the Web Audio API. Used when eye movements are contraindicated or the client prefers auditory BLS.

When to use it

When eye movements are not tolerated (e.g., severely activated clients, photophobia, visual impairment).
As an alternative modality during long desensitization sessions to reduce eye fatigue.

Clinical notes

Stereo pan depth is adjustable rather than fixed — it defaults to 85% left/right separation (not fully hard-panned), since some clients find full left/full right fatiguing over a long session. Voice (tone, chime, woodblock, marimba, bell, pluck), pitch, and volume are also adjustable; default frequency is 440 Hz. An optional ambient bed (noise, drone, or a binaural layer) can play underneath the bilateral tone. Starting the tool requires a user gesture due to browser autoplay policy — clients will see a “Start” button that must be tapped before sound plays.