EMDR Therapy with Marcella Brengle

02/10/2026

Phase 8 of EMDR: Reevaluation.

⚠️ This should be done in session following a reprosessing session each time, whether the memory is complete or not.

✔️ The goal of this phase is to bring to make the sometimes subtle changes that can occur after processing more explicit and grow awareness.

💪 Reinforcement of new awareness of these positive changes should occur with installation, and bi lateral movement. This will help create long term change.

❓️ We aren't always aware of how we are showing up differently, or the absence of something, like anxiety, so it's important to take the time for this part.

02/10/2026

Phase 7 of the 8 phases of EMDR: Closure.

❓️There are two types of closure; incomplete or complete. Incomplete means the memory is not fully processed and something to come back to, complete indicates completed processing of the memory.

✨️ Which one it is depends on a few things, clinical opinion, distress in body is a 0 (or ecologically appropriate), belief in a positive cognition is at a 7 (totally true).

🫟 Closure of an incomplete session involves transitioning from processing, back into regulation and grounding to the present. So you and your system are aware that the session has ended and you are able to continue your day.

⚠️ This might include skills such as breathing exercises, and exercise known as container, safe/calm space meditation or other ones.

☮️ Closure of a complete session is to reinforce any positive realizations and to connect the work to the clients day to day life.

02/03/2026

Phase 6 of the 8 phases of EMDR; body scan.

🕒 This phase follows reprosessing and installation phases, and usually lasts part of a session, at times longer depending on how it goes.

✔️ The goal of this phase is to scan the body, with the memory in mind and the positive thought, to see if there is any left over tension or disturbance in the body.

👀 this phase can help identify blocking beliefs, any part of the memory that may not be fully processed, or help identify a target for the next processing session.

02/02/2026

Phase 5 of EMDR! Installation.

☑️The goal of this phase is to "install" the PC (positive belief), after the memory is processed. When you are in the assessment phase, you may have had a negative belief (such as, I am worthless), and now that you've processed, a new, healthier perspective has taken hold, and you should move towards the new, healthier belief (such as I am worthy of love).

🕰️This phase is often shorter, one or less session. There are always exceptions to the rule of course.

❓If the positive belief isn't taking hold well, there is often a diagnostic portion that can occur, such as something that is preventing healing and might need to be worked on with more processing. If this is the case, your therapist might go back to the assessment and processing phases to find what is blocking.

💪This phase often feels empowering and good. Letting go of the past and embracing a new perspective!

02/01/2026

02/01/2026

Phase 4! Desensitization/Reprocessing phase.

☑️The heart of this therapy - the goal of this phase is to not only desensitize (not to be confused with not-having emotions about the memory, but to eliminate any activation in your nervous system/body), but to reprocess the memory in a healthier/more adaptive way.

🔄️ This phase include bilateral stimulation of some kind (eye movement, tapping on yourself, hand tappers that vibrate, bilateral audio, and many more options)

😴 This back and forth movement allows the brain to enter into easier processing mode-borrowing the natural mechanism our brain already does in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep we already do at night!

🙂😌 Dual processing (both able to be in the moment/memory AND fully aware of present time/space) is important in this phase. You should never feel as though you are totally back in the memory. This is one of the reasons it is important this is done by a professional alongside you.

🕰️This phase can last one session or many depending on the complexity of the memory/system. Often other memories emerge that may need their own processing session. Your therapist can help you determine if this happens.

❤️ By the end of this phase, you will feel differently about the memory itself, have a healthier perspective and no longer feel disturbance in your body when you think of the experience. You will also feel less/to no triggering when things in your current environment remind you of the event.

01/29/2026

Phase 3 of EMDR 8 phases: Assessment!

🕒 This phase is typically one session at most, of course there are always exceptions.

🥅 The goal of this phase is to set up the memory that was decided on to process, and establish a baseline.

✔️ The standard protocol (most commonly used) assessment process has:

1. Worst part of the memory
2. An image/snapshot of the memory that represents the worst part.
3. The words that go along with that memory that represents the negative belief about yourself (i.e "I am bad, worthless, unlovable, unsafe, powerless" etc.)
4. What you would rather believe about yourself instead ("I am ok as I am, its not my fault, I have choices now" etc)
5. How true those words feel in your body when you think about the memory, now (1-7, with 7 being absolutely true and 1 being false)
6. Emotions that come up when you think about the image and the negative words.
7. The disturbance in your body 0-10 with 10 being the most disturbed and 0 being none or neutral.
8. Where in your body do you feel this.

✨️ Assessment can be a quick series of questions before starting phase 4, or something that takes a little more time.

💥 This set up can be activating and provides. starting point for processing.

🚫 Its important that you only do this with a trained clinician. Never attempt to replicate this without professional assistance. This post is for informational purposes only and not to be used without a trained professional.

01/29/2026

No time like the present!

01/28/2026

Phase 2! Resource/coping skills building.

🕒 Usually lasts 1 to 4 sessions, this depends on client readiness and therapist recommendations. It can be more sessions in preparation for processing.

👀 There are some go to EMDR specific skills like safe/calm place, container and light stream, but any resources the client finds helpful are important! The client and therapist discuss fears, reservations and readiness.

👥 The therapeutic relationship is one of the most important resources you can have to prepare for processing. They are your collaborators, confident, witness and guide. Feeling connected to your therapist will be a resource in and of itself.

❓️ The goal of this phase is to prepare for processing and assessing readiness with tools and discussion.

01/27/2026

Ever wonder what EMDR sessions are like? There are 8 phases to EMDR, and many variations of how these might look. I'll be posting about each phase daily. Phase 1 is history taking. This list is not an all inclusive list, just some general guidelines.

● This phase can last a few sessions or several
● One of the goals of this phase is to get to know the client, gain an understanding of the problem, the clients understanding of the problem and readiness for moving forward with the next phases.
●Some therapists use worksheets to organize this phase, some just talk it through.
●By the end of history taking, both the client and therapist should have an understanding of where they want to start and a working hypothesis of the problem.

01/23/2026

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