Comparison

EMDR Self Therapy vs Bilateral Calm

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β€” with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

EMDR Self Therapy

Features
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A step-by-step companion for practising the Flash technique at your own pace. You never have to describe or write down your memory. PLEASE NOTE: The app interface is in Turkish. In the Flash technique your attention stays on an engaging, pleasant focus rather than on the disturbing memory. A steady left-right rhythm plays in the background, and at each spoken "Flash" cue you blink naturally three times. HOW IT WORKS 1. Starter guide: learn the sound, the butterfly hug and the Flash cue without touching any memory. You can try a practice round first. 2. Positive focus: choose a place, activity or moment that feels good. Add a short note or photo if you like. 3. Rating: mark how disturbing it feels right now, from 0 to 10. 4. Sets: rounds with rhythm, spoken Flash cues and a butterfly-hug video. 5. Re-rate: continue or stop. You do not need to reach zero. 6. Closing: "Back to the present" steps bring you back to where you are. WHAT YOU GET - Left-right rhythm with headphones, centred sound on the speaker - Video guidance filmed with a real person showing the butterfly hug and the blinks - Pause, Short break and Back to the present, available at any time - Grounding and positive-focus videos - Optional history: date, number of rounds and ratings kept only on your device - Free. No ads. No subscription. PRIVACY We do not ask for memory text, voice recordings or health history. History is off by default; if you turn it on, records stay on your device. WHO IT IS FOR Adults (18+), for mild distress, as recommended by a therapist trained in the Flash technique. Without therapist support, use the practice round and the back-to-the-present steps only. Do not try to process intense or complex trauma on your own. WHO DESIGNED IT The content was designed by Assoc. Prof. Alisan Burak Yasar, MD, psychiatrist and EMDR trainer, first author of a randomized controlled trial of the Flash technique (Yasar AB et al., Frontiers in Psychology, 2022;13:845481). Those findings concern clinician-delivered Flash; the effectiveness of this digital version has not yet been clinically tested. IMPORTANT This app is not a medical device. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and does not replace psychotherapy or emergency care. If distress increases, stop and use the back-to-the-present steps. If you are at risk of harming yourself or in immediate danger, do not stay alone; call your local emergency number.

About

Bilateral Calm

Features
Read full description

Bilateral Calm is a self-paced, self-help tool that uses bilateral stimulation to help your nervous system process stress, worry, and trauma-like responses. Pairing guided exercises with alternating left-right audio, it empowers you to regulate your emotions and build healthy habits anywhereβ€”no clinic visit required. The Science: What is Bilateral Stimulation? At the core of therapies like EMDR, bilateral stimulation uses rhythmic left-right input (via sound, tapping, or eye movement) to actively engage both brain hemispheres. This alternating input helps the nervous system process worry, stress, and emotional distress responses more effectively. Bilateral Calm delivers these proven therapeutic principles in short, accessible audio sessions. While not a substitute for clinical therapy, it serves as an excellent complement to your broader healing journey. Practices Tailored to Your Life. Our guided tasks are built around the everyday emotional experiences most people face. Each practice pairs bilateral sound with structured guided exercises to support 1. Stress & Emotions: Tension, worry, overwhelm, stress, burnout, grief, sadness, and anger. 2. Sleep & Rest: Anxiety about insomnia and nightmares. 3. Performance & Self: Stage fright, performance pressure, low self-worth, and boundaries. 4. Painful Memories & Healing: Trauma responses (as a self-help complement to therapy) and healing past painful stories. Designed for Your Needs. Work at Your Pace. Follow guided tasks for each practice. Pause whenever you need to, and return exactly when you are ready. Track Your Progress. Monitor your ongoing wellness journey with detailed progress tracking and a complete practice history. Daily Audio Library. A separate library of calming tones is available for continuous use, featuring deep-calm 432 Hz, gamma 40 Hz memory tones, ocean waves, and forest tones. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://bilateralcalm.com/privacy

Screenshots

EMDR Self Therapy4 screens
Bilateral Calm4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Bilateral Calm at every 3 days against EMDR Self Therapy's weekly. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EMDR Self Therapy ships an update weekly, Bilateral Calm every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 5 level
EMDR Self Therapy versus Bilateral Calm: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEMDR Self TherapyBilateral Calm
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 3 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 β€” better15.1
Further details β€” not scored
Size12 MB180 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperAlisan Burak YasarMood and Sleep Clinic LLC

In-app purchases

None

EMDR Self Therapy

No in-app purchases

None

Bilateral Calm

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is EMDR Self Therapy free?
EMDR Self Therapy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Bilateral Calm free?
Bilateral Calm is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do EMDR Self Therapy or Bilateral Calm have ads?
Neither EMDR Self Therapy nor Bilateral Calm shows ads.
Which is updated more often, EMDR Self Therapy or Bilateral Calm?
EMDR Self Therapy ships an update weekly, and Bilateral Calm every 3 days. Most recently, EMDR Self Therapy was updated on October 20, 2026 and Bilateral Calm on October 10, 2026.

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