EMDR: The 8 Phases
EMDR therapy, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, aims to relieve distress from traumatic memories and other disturbing experiences. In EMDR therapy, the therapist works to identify the traumatic memories contributing to your difficulties and then uses bilateral stimulation — usually eye movements, but sometimes hand taps or sounds — to help you reprocess those memories.
The eye movements used in EMDR therapy work by “unfreezing” traumatic memories and reprocessing them so their influence is reduced. In addition to the eye movements, EMDR also involves cognitive restructuring. You work with the therapist to identify negative thoughts and beliefs associated with the trauma and replace them with more positive, healthy ones.
Here are the 8 phases of EMDR therapy, how they work, their sequence, and what each involves.
The 8 Phases of EMDR Treatment Explained
Phase 1: Client History
The first phase involves gathering information about your history, background, and current circumstances. Your EMDR therapist will want to understand what led you to seek treatment and identify the specific traumas or events you want to address.
Phase 2: Preparation
Now that your therapist understands your history and goals, they’ll prepare you for the reprocessing phases. You’ll learn coping strategies to deal with any distress and identify your “safe place” — a mental image that helps you feel calm and secure.
Phase 3: Assessment
In this phase, you’ll focus on a traumatic memory while identifying associated negative beliefs, emotions, and bodily sensations. Your therapist will also determine your level of distress and readiness to move forward.
Phase 4: Desensitization
This is where the real work begins. Your therapist will have you recall the traumatic memory while moving your eyes back and forth to help reprocess the event. Over multiple sets, the associated negative emotions and sensations should decrease significantly.
Phase 5: Installation
Now, you’ll focus on replacing the negative beliefs and associations from the trauma with more positive ones. Your therapist will help strengthen these adaptive beliefs through continued bilateral stimulation.
Phase 6: Body Scan
You systematically scan your body to identify and address any lingering tension or discomfort associated with the traumatic memory. More eye movements are used until you report feeling relaxed and at ease.
Phase 7: Closure
Before ending the session, your therapist will ensure you feel stable and confident to go about your day. You’ll discuss how to maintain your progress and may schedule your next appointment.
Phase 8: Re-evaluation
You’ll re-assess your original target memory at the start of subsequent sessions to evaluate your progress. Depending on your level of resolution, you may continue reprocessing that memory or move on to another one.
So you’ve made it through the 8 phases of EMDR and processed the traumatic memory that was stuck. Now what?
Positive Cognition
The final step is to develop a “positive cognition” to replace your negative belief about yourself that was connected to the memory. In EMDR, this is called an “installation” of the positive cognition. Your EMDR therapist will ask you to think of a positive statement that feels true to you now after processing the memory. Something like “I am strong” or “I am worthy of love.” Repeat this statement to yourself as you continue the bilateral stimulation. Notice how it feels in your body. Do you feel a shift in your level of belief in this positive statement? Often, people report an increase in the validity of the positive cognition after installation. You may feel lighter, calmer, and more at peace. Hold onto this feeling.
EMDR is a proven method to help people overcome trauma, anxiety, and a range of other issues. The best part is you don’t have to figure it out alone. Contact us today, to learn more about trauma therapy and we will guide you through the process.
