Applications in EMDR & Brainspotting Therapy
As both a therapist and musician, I’ve been fascinated by the application of bilateral music in clinical settings, particularly within EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Brainspotting therapies. I use this type of music with my clients and can see the way that it can support emotional processing. I also produce this type of music for myself and for other therapists, and I recently carried out some research as part of a music masters degree.
Understanding Bilateral Music Stimulation
Bilateral auditory stimulation involves sound that alternates between the left and right ears, creating a rhythmic pattern that engages both hemispheres of the brain. Unlike binaural beats (which present slightly different frequencies to each ear simultaneously), bilateral stimulation uses the same tone or music but delivers it in an alternating pattern, sometimes with a variation in volume between each ear (Orozco Perez, Dumas & Lehmann, 2020).
In my clinical practice as an EMDR and Brainspotting therapist, I’ve observed how bilateral sound can help clients process difficult emotions and memories. But what exactly is happening when we expose the brain to this alternating stimulation?
Bilateral Stimulation in EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy utilises bilateral stimulation as one of its core components. During a session, a client focuses on a distressing memory while engaging with bilateral stimulation, which can be:
- Visual: Following a therapist’s fingers or a light bar moving horizontally
- Tactile: Tapping alternate knees or shoulders, or feeling buzzing sensations in alternating palms
- Auditory: Listening to tones that alternate from left to right ear
Research has shown that it is the alternating pattern that is particularly important when processing traumatic memories (Servan-Schreiber et al., 2006). There have however been studies that report visual/eye movements as being more able to tax working memory during processing, than auditory (van den Hout et al., 2012; de Jongh et al., 2013). In practice I have found that it is good to have alternative modes for times when clients need to switch from visual to tactile, or from visual to sound and vice versa.
During EMDR treatment, the way that the bilateral stimulation is used is in short “sets.” After approximately 8-36 sets, the therapist pauses to check in with the client before continuing (Calancie et al., 2018). This process helps reduce distress associated with traumatic memories, measured on a Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS).
Brainspotting and “Biolateral Music”
Brainspotting therapy was developed by Dr. David Grand, an EMDR Therapist who noticed that clients often fixed their gaze when processing. He utilised this along with auditory bilateral stimulation, and subsequently developed his own version of bilateral sound, called “Biolateral Music”. This type of sound is specially composed multipart music with an alternating pulse, that also features volume shifts between the ears (Grand, 2013).
As a Brainspotting practitioner, I’ve found that this richly layered approach can create a more immersive experience for clients. The complexity of the music helps maintain attention while the bilateral aspect supports emotional processing. Though peer-reviewed research specific to biolateral music is still emerging, clinical observations suggest it may enhance the therapeutic experience.
Whilst Dr Grand’s “Biolateral Music” is trademarked, there is also “Bilateral Music” on the market that is also multipart, specially composed music that can be used for Brainspotting sessions. In fact there are many bilateral music playlists on streaming platforms. I curated my own one recently to help me with processing whilst journal writing.
Terminology in Bilateral Stimulation Research
In my research, I’ve found that there’s considerable inconsistency in the terminology used to describe different types of bilateral and beat stimulation. To help clarify these distinctions, I’ve developed the following terminology guide:
Term | Full Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
ABS | Auditory Beat Stimulation | This category incorporates both Binaural Beats (BBS) and Monaural Beat Stimulation (MBS) in research studies |
BLS | Bilateral Stimulation | This term incorporates not only auditory but also tactile and visual bilateral stimulation. It is the term used in EMDR Therapy studies for all stimulation types |
AABLS | Auditory Alternating Bilateral Stimulation | This applies to audio tones, sounds or music |
SABLS | Somatosensory Alternating Bilateral Stimulation | For mixed sensory alternating bilateral stimulation, for example a buzzer in each palm that is tactile but also makes a noise |
TABLS | Tactile Alternating Bilateral Stimulation | For touch/tapping related stimulation |
VABLS | Visual Alternating Bilateral Stimulation | This refers to eye movements or light bars |
(Donna Bottomley, 2025)
The “A” in these terms refers to “alternating,” which distinguishes this type of stimulation from other beat stimulation approaches like binaural beats. Research has shown this alternating aspect to be important in processing emotional states and activating vestibular feedback mechanisms in the brain (Nieuwenhuis et al., 2013; Boukezzi et al., 2017; Rousseau et al., 2020).
How Bilateral Stimulation Works in the Brain
Current research suggests several mechanisms by which bilateral auditory stimulation might facilitate emotional processing:
- Hemispheric Integration: Alternating stimulation may promote communication between the brain’s hemispheres, potentially helping to integrate emotional experiences (Christman & Propper, 2010).
- Working Memory Taxation: By engaging attentional resources, bilateral stimulation may reduce the vividness of emotional memories by competing for working memory capacity (van den Hout et al., 2012; de Jongh et al., 2013).
- Rhythmic Entrainment: Our brains tend to synchronize with rhythmic stimuli, which may help regulate emotional responses (Clayton, 2012).
Studies using functional MRI have shown that auditory bilateral stimulation activates brain regions involved in emotion processing, executive control, and multisensory integration (Rousseau et al., 2020). This suggests that bilateral sound may help connect emotional salience with memory networks.
Researchers like Herkt et al. (2014) have explored how bilateral stimulation affects the amygdala, a brain region crucial for processing threat. Their findings indicated increased activation in this area during alternating stimulation when processing negative stimuli, potentially explaining how BLS helps reintegrate difficult emotional information in therapeutic settings.
The Difference Between Bilateral and Binaural Stimulation
It’s important to distinguish between bilateral and binaural stimulation, as these terms are often confused:
- Bilateral stimulation uses the same sound presented alternately to each ear
- Binaural beat stimulation presents different frequencies to each ear simultaneously, creating a perceived third tone (Ingendoh, Posny & Heine, 2023)
While binaural beats have been studied for effects on anxiety, attention, and pain perception (Garcia-Argibay, Santed-Germán & Reales, 2019), bilateral stimulation has been primarily researched for its role in processing emotional memories, particularly those involving fear (Boukezzi et al., 2017). Bilateral stimulation is a method used in EMDR and Brainspotting therapies, with the specific intention of taxing working memory and assisting in the processing of distressing memories and in processing positive emotions (via Slow BLS).
Bilateral Music Playlists
It is worth noting that research specifically on “bilateral music stimulation” (versus single-tone bilateral stimulation) is currently very limited. Most playlists labeled as “bilateral music” on streaming platforms haven’t been formally studied, despite their growing popularity. It would be great to have more data on what people find helpful, or not helpful with regards to these playlists. I do personally find it helpful to have certain bilateral music playlists on while I am journaling, particularly when I am doing my Sunday night offload & process journal sessions. This is the playlist I have curated for these sessions.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Functional Music in Therapy
As both a therapist and researcher, I’m excited about the potential for how specialised music for auditory stimulation can support us psychologically. The growing category of “functional music”, music designed for specific purposes rather than pure enjoyment – represents a fascinating intersection of art and therapeutic science (Aalborg University & Lund, 2021).
This field of functional music is expanding quite rapidly, with companies like Universal Music Group partnering with services that create AI-powered music specifically for wellness applications. This demonstrates a growing interest in music’s therapeutic potential beyond entertainment.
If you are interested in bilateral music and would like to keep up to date with what I am doing in this area, do please feel free to join my newsletter on the link at the bottom of this page.
References
Aalborg University and Lund, H.N. (2021) Music to improve sleep in adults with depression related insomnia: a randomized controlled trial using mixed methods design.
Boukezzi, S., Silva, C., Nazarian, B., Rousseau, P.-F., Guedj, E., Valenzuela-Moguillansky, C. and Khalfa, S. (2017) ‘Bilateral Alternating Auditory Stimulations Facilitate Fear Extinction and Retrieval,’ Frontiers in Psychology, 8, p. 990.
Calancie, O.G., Khalid-Khan, S., Booij, L. and Munoz, D.P. (2018) ‘Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing as a treatment for PTSD: current neurobiological theories and a new hypothesis: EMDR and PTSD,’ Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1426(1), pp. 127–145.
Chaieb, L., Wilpert, E.C., Hoppe, C., Axmacher, N. and Fell, J. (2017) ‘The Impact of Monaural Beat Stimulation on Anxiety and Cognition,’ Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 11, p. 251.
Christman, S.D. and Propper, R.E. (2010) ‘Dreaming, Handedness, and Sleep Architecture: Interhemispheric Mechanisms,’ in International Review of Neurobiology. Elsevier, pp. 215–232.
Clayton, M. (2012) ‘What is Entrainment? Definition and applications in musical research,’ Empirical Musicology Review, 7(1).
de Jongh, A., Ernst, R., Marques, L. and Hornsveld, H. (2013) ‘The impact of eye movements and tones on disturbing memories involving PTSD and other mental disorders’, Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 44(4), pp. 477–483. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbtep.2013.07.002
Garcia-Argibay, M., Santed-Germán, M.Á. and Reales, J. (2019) ‘Efficacy of binaural auditory beats in cognition, anxiety, and pain perception: a meta-analysis,’ Psychological Research, 83.
Grand, D. (2013) Brainspotting: The revolutionary new therapy for rapid change. Colorado: Sounds True.
Herkt, D., Tumani, V., Grön, G., Kammer, T., Hofmann, A. and Abler, B. (2014) ‘Facilitating Access to Emotions: Neural Signature of EMDR Stimulation,’ PLoS ONE, 9(8), p. e106350.
Horst, F., Den Oudsten, B., Zijlstra, W., De Jongh, A., Lobbestael, J. and De Vries, J. (2017) ‘Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for Treating Panic Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial’, Frontiers in Psychology, 8, p. 1409. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01409
Ingendoh, R.M., Posny, E.S. and Heine, A. (2023) ‘Binaural beats to entrain the brain? A systematic review of the effects of binaural beat stimulation on brain oscillatory activity, and the implications for psychological research and intervention,’ PLOS ONE, 18(5), p. e0286023.
Nieuwenhuis, S., Elzinga, B.M., Ras, P.H., Berends, F., Duijs, P., Samara, Z. and Slagter, H.A. (2013) ‘Bilateral saccadic eye movements and tactile stimulation, but not auditory stimulation, enhance memory retrieval,’ Brain and Cognition, 81(1), pp. 52–56.
Orozco Perez, H.D., Dumas, G. and Lehmann, A. (2020) ‘Binaural Beats through the Auditory Pathway: From Brainstem to Connectivity Patterns,’ eNeuro, 7(2).
Rousseau, P.-F., Boukezzi, S., Garcia, R., Chaminade, T. and Khalfa, S. (2020) ‘Cracking the EMDR code: Recruitment of sensory, memory and emotional networks during bilateral alternating auditory stimulation,’ Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 54(8), pp. 818–831.
Servan-Schreiber, D., Schooler, J., Dew, M.A., Carter, C. and Bartone, P. (2006) ‘Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Blinded, Randomized Study of Stimulation Type,’ Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 75(5), pp. 290–297.
van den Hout, M.A., Rijkeboer, M.M., Engelhard, I.M., Klugkist, I., Hornsveld, H., Toffolo, M.J.B. and Cath, D.C. (2012) ‘Tones inferior to eye movements in the EMDR treatment of PTSD’, Behaviour Research and Therapy, 50(5), pp. 275–279. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2012.02.001
This post represents my professional observations and research findings. For specific therapeutic advice, please consult with a qualified mental health professional.