The EMDR Experience
Gaining insight into what to expect during EMDR sessions can help you feel more prepared and empowered. The following section provides a glimpse into the path of healing and emotional recovery that lies ahead.
Hope, Healing, and Growth
EMDR is an 8-phase treatment but for ease of explanation, the phases are consolidated into three phases: Hope, Healing, and Growth.
Each phase will be described may slightly differ depending based on individual needs and complexity of symptoms.
Phase 1 – Hope
History Taking and Treatment Planning
- Typically takes 1-2 sessions and can continue throughout therapy.
- Determine the specific issue/problem that has brought the client to therapy and the symptoms of that problem.
- Identify historical events that may be connected to the presenting issues.
- Identify skills or behaviors that may be needed during reprocessing and in-between sessions.
- Determining goals for therapy.
- Assess appropriateness for EMDR therapy.
Preparation
- Explanation of EMDR therapy and how it works.
- Provide education on diagnosis, attachment, stress responses, and any other relevant information needed. This part is important because it provides an understanding of your presenting issues and the source of them.
- Teach a variety of relaxation and stabilization skills needed to handle emotional disturbance that may arise.
- Assess readiness to move to the next phase.
Phase 2 – Healing
Reprocessing and Desensitization
In this phase, reprocessing and desensitization of an agreed upon target (memory or issue) using bilateral dual stimulation.
This part of therapy will vary depending on complexity of symptoms and goals.
- You are asked to identify an image that represents the worst part of the experience. Then you will negative belief, positive belief, emotion, and body sensation related to that image. Then you will be asked rate the level of distress.
- Desensitization of the memory or issue through the use of bilateral stimulation (BLS) for increments of 30-120 seconds. BLS can be in the form of alternating eye movements, audible sounds, or tactile.
- At the end of each set, we will pause the BLS. You will briefly share what you noticed.
- The BLS will continue until the identified target has been fully reprocessed and is no longer distressing.
- You are asked to bring the original experience to mind and see if any residual tension is noticed in the body.
- If the body scan is clear, we will connect the positive belief with the original experience.
- We will repeat the above for each past memory then move to present triggers, and then create a future rehearsal.
- EMDR is not considered complete until all three prongs have been processed.
Phase 3 – Growth
Re-evaluation
This phase of treatment is where we will re-evaluate the progress and growth you have made. In addition, it is a time where we can identify any other treatment goals to address as well as begin preparing for discharge.
Are you ready?
Because each client is unique, EMDR treatment may look different. We will work together to personalize your treatment based on your needs and goals.
If you’re ready to begin therapy, let’s get started.
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