Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for treating trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from different treatment approaches.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured therapy approach that follows an eight-phase process. You won't necessarily move through all eight phases in one session, and the amount of preparation and processing needed is different for each person. Your therapist will work at a pace that considers your history, current needs, and readiness for trauma processing.

Phase 1: History Taking & Treatment Planning

Your therapist will begin by learning about your history, current concerns, symptoms, strengths, and goals for therapy. Together, you will identify experiences or patterns that may be contributing to your current difficulties and determine appropriate targets for EMDR treatment.

Phase 2: Preparation

Before beginning trauma reprocessing, your therapist will explain how EMDR works and help you prepare for the experience. This may include developing grounding, emotional regulation, or other coping strategies that you can use both during and between sessions.

Preparation looks different for everyone. Some clients need more time in this phase before beginning reprocessing, while others may be ready sooner.

Phase 3: Assessment

When you and your therapist determine that you are ready to work with a specific memory or experience, you will identify different aspects of that experience, including the image or memory, emotions, physical sensations, and beliefs about yourself that are connected to it. You will also identify a more adaptive or preferred belief you would like to strengthen.

Phase 4: Desensitization

During reprocessing, your therapist will guide you through brief sets of bilateral stimulation (BLS). This may involve eye movements, alternating sounds, or gentle tactile stimulation.

You may notice memories, thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, images, or new associations emerging. There is no “right” way to experience EMDR. Your therapist will periodically check in with you and help guide the process while allowing your brain to make its own connections.

The goal is not to erase the memory. Instead, EMDR aims to help reduce the distress associated with the experience so that remembering it becomes less disruptive in the present.

Phase 5: Installation

As distress related to the targeted experience decreases, your therapist helps strengthen the positive or adaptive belief identified earlier in the process. For example, a belief such as “I am powerless” may shift toward “I have choices now” or another belief that feels appropriate and authentic to you.

Phase 6: Body Scan

You will be invited to notice what you experience physically when thinking about the memory and the new belief. If uncomfortable sensations or distress remain, your therapist may continue processing them.

Phase 7: Closure

Each EMDR session ends with attention to stability and emotional regulation, whether or not processing of a particular memory is complete. Your therapist may use grounding or other strategies to help you transition out of the session and will discuss what you might notice between sessions.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

At the beginning of a future session, your therapist will check in about the previously processed material and any changes you have noticed since your last session. This helps determine whether additional processing is needed and guides the next steps in treatment.

What EMDR Can Feel Like

EMDR experiences vary considerably from person to person. Some people notice significant changes during a session, while others experience changes more gradually. You remain awake, aware, and able to communicate with your therapist throughout the process.

EMDR does not erase your memories or change what happened. The goal is to help your brain process distressing experiences so that the past has less impact on how you feel, think, and respond in the present.

Dr. Grantland is a Certified EMDRIA Therapist and we have several EMDR trained clinicians on staff here to help. 

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The following link provides information about how EMDR therapy works, what it is like, and how widely it is recognized. Courtesy of EMDR International Association.