Virtual BLS FAQ: Questions About EMDR Software for Therapists

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Pricing & Billing

How much does Virtual BLS cost?

Virtual BLS is available as a monthly subscription for $9.99. Your first month is completely free. After your trial, billing continues monthly.

Visit our Membership Levels page to sign up.

Do I need a credit card to start the free trial?

Yes, a credit card is required to begin your free trial.

Can I cancel at any time?

Yes. You can cancel your subscription at any time from your account settings. You will retain access through the end of your current billing period.

Will I be charged automatically after the free trial?

Yes. After your first free month, your subscription renews automatically each month. You can cancel before the trial ends if you decide Virtual BLS is not right for your practice.

Do you offer discounts for group practices or multiple therapists?

If you are a group practice, contact us to discuss multi-therapist options.

Privacy & Compliance

Is Virtual BLS HIPAA-compliant?

Virtual BLS does not collect, store, or transmit any protected health information (PHI) from clients. The platform generates and displays bilateral stimulation sessions in real time without recording any client data. This means there is no PHI on our servers.

Does Virtual BLS store any client information?

No. Virtual BLS does not store any data from the client side of the platform. The therapist account stores session settings and preferences only, with no client names, notes, or health information.

Is my therapist account information secure?

Yes. Your account credentials and subscription information are protected using industry-standard encryption and secure HTTPS connections.

Using the Platform

How do I create a session?

Log into your Virtual BLS account and find teh section labeled "Start a Session". Click or tap on the button labeled "Click here to start". From there, customize your session parameters, including the length of each bilateral stimulation round, target images, and background visuals.

When you are ready, click Generate Session. You will then have the option to launch it instantly in a new tab or share a link with your client. Note: You will need to keep the settings tab open while the game is in progress.

Can I customize what the client sees?

Yes. You can choose from a variety of background images and target styles to create an environment that feels comfortable and appropriate for each client. More customization options are added with each update.

What happens when I click Stop during a session?

Clicking Stop immediately ends the current bilateral stimulation round and returns your client to the start screen. This gives you complete control to pause or redirect the session at any point.

Does the Settings tab need to stay open during a session?

Yes. The Settings tab must remain open on your device for the session to run properly on the client side. Do not close it during an active session.

Do clients need to create an account?

No. Clients access their session through a link you share with them. They do not need to sign up, log in, or download anything.

Telehealth & Remote Sessions

Can I use Virtual BLS for telehealth sessions?

Yes. Virtual BLS is well-suited for remote EMDR delivery. Share the session link with your client, have them open it on their device, and monitor them via your usual video conferencing platform (Zoom, SimplePractice, Doxy.me, and others).

You control the session from your Settings tab while your client runs the bilateral stimulation on their end.

Do I need to screen-share during a telehealth session?

No. Because your client accesses the session through their own link, they see it directly on their device at full resolution. Screen sharing is not necessary and is not recommended because it can introduce lag.

Device Compatibility

What devices work with Virtual BLS?

Virtual BLS is designed for tablets and desktop computers with a modern web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge). For the best bilateral stimulation experience, a landscape-oriented screen of at least 10.5 inches is recommended.

Does Virtual BLS work on phones?

Virtual BLS is not optimized for phones or portrait-mode screens. The bilateral stimulation targets require sufficient screen width to be truly bilateral. A tablet or desktop is strongly recommended.

Does my client need to download an app?

No. Virtual BLS runs entirely in the browser with no app, download, or install required on the client end.

Which browsers are supported?

Virtual BLS works on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge. We recommend keeping your browser up to date for the best performance.

Does Virtual BLS work on Android tablets?

Yes. Android tablets with a screen of at least 10.5 inches in landscape mode are supported.

General

Do I need EMDR training to use Virtual BLS?

Virtual BLS is designed as a tool for licensed mental health professionals who are trained in EMDR therapy. The platform enhances bilateral stimulation delivery but is not a substitute for clinical training.

If you are new to EMDR, we recommend completing a foundational training through an EMDRIA-approved trainer and becoming comfortable with eye-movement BLS before integrating Virtual BLS into your practice.

What's new in the latest version?

The current version includes bilateral sound effects to accompany visual stimulation, an expanded target chooser with more image options, additional background choices, and significant under-the-hood improvements to security and stability.

Check our Updates page for the full changelog.

How do I get help if something is not working?

Email us at josh@virtualbls.net and we will get back to you as soon as possible.