What are the eight phases of EMDR?

Apr 12

In case you haven’t read previous blogs, we’ll do a brief EMDR intro. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a powerful tool for treating trauma, whether it manifests as PTSD or other trauma-derivative disorders. Here’s our main focus in this post. EMDR has eight phases. It involves different phases that are constructed to help you process trauma memories in a safe and intentional way. Here is a brief overview of each phase of EMDR therapy and how that phase can help you:

Phase One: History and Treatment Planning - In this phase, your therapist will gather information about your history, symptoms, and goals for treatment. They will assess whether or not EMDR is a suitable treatment for you. As you share your story, they begin to listen for large themes or individual events that had a significant impact on your life.

Phase Two: Preparation - In this phase, your therapist will prepare you for the processing of traumatic memories. They will teach you coping strategies and relaxation techniques that can be used to manage any distress that arises during the processing of traumatic memories. Some therapists choose to complete at least some portion of phase two before phase one. This allows them to help you manage any reaction you have to sharing your story, with skills they have helped you to develop.

Phase Three: Assessment - In this phase, your therapist will help you identify the specific memories that are causing distress. They will assess your level of distress associated with each memory. They might ask to recall a memory and then ask a question like: “After just going through that memory with me, how out-of-control do you feel 0 being not at all, 10 being completely?” Therapists recognize that some memories are inherently distressing and inexcusable. The goal is to decrease the power a memory has over you.

Phase Four: Desensitization - In this phase, your therapist will desensitize you to the traumatic memories. They will use a variety of techniques, including bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping), to help you process the traumatic memories in a safely. There are several theories as to why desensitization occurs. One of the most prevalent is that bilateral stimulation or stimulation on both sides of the body, while discussing a trauma, helps to integrate that trauma over every part of the brain, just as a normal, every-day memory is during the REM sleep cycle.

Phase Five: Installation - In this phase, your therapist will install positive beliefs or feelings to replace the negative beliefs or feelings associated with the traumatic memories. They will work with you to identify positive beliefs or feelings that can be installed to help you feel more empowered and in control. If you have difficulty identifying positive beliefs your therapist might ask you to identify supportive individuals in your life and what beliefs they might encourage you to have about yourself of the world.

Phase Six: Body Scan - In this phase, your therapist will conduct a body scan to identify any residual tension or discomfort in your body. If there is significant discomfort that you notice is associated with the traumatic memories, the clinician might choose to return to desensitization. As with all phases, there is fluidity in how they are moved through.

Phase Seven: Closure - In this phase, your therapist will bring the processing of traumatic memories to a close. They will work with you to ensure that you feel safe and grounded before ending the session. You might feel tired, emotionally drained, but you should leave the session feeling in control. No matter the progress made throughout the session, every session should end with phase seven and in some cases phase eight will accompany this phase.

Phase Eight: Reevaluation - In this phase, your therapist will reevaluate the progress that has been made and determine what steps need to be taken moving forward. This might mean continued reprocessing of the same memory, moving onto reprocessing a different memory, returning to resourcing to better support you, or discontinuing treatment for a variety of reasons.

If you are struggling with PTSD, anxiety, depression, or have sought treatment for a mental health disorder with little improvement, EMDR could be what you need to move forward. Let someone help guide you through the eight phases of EMDR so that you can process traumatic memories in a safe and controlled way, while you work towards a more positive future. Shoot us a text: 417-708-7909 or go to: emdria.org to find clinicians in your area.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures, Second Edition by Francine Shapiro