06/04/2025
EMDR aims to aid clients in transforming negative life experiences into adaptive experiences. In addition, it helps clients learn from the past, desensitize present triggers, reprocess and store memories in a way that eliminates distress. Thus, improving resilience for future challenges.
The 8 Phases of EMDR include:
1.History: The therapist gather’s information about client’s history, develops therapeutic trust; treatment plan and goals are planned.
2.Preparation: Therapist provides education on EMDR theory, the process and effects, types of bilateral stimulation, emotion regulation tools, ensures stable life environment, and resource development.
3.Assessment: For each memory an image, negative cognition, positive cognition, validity of cognition, emotions, distress unit, and bodily sensations are assessed.
4.Desensitization: while the memory is kept in mind, sets of bilateral stimulation are administered. The therapist will check-in on your observations after each set.
5.Installation: Assessing the fit of the pre-determined positive cognition and strengthening with more sets of bilateral stimulation.
6.Body Scan: Identifying any residual physical sensations. Processing is only complete when the body feels it is clear of negative sensations associated with the memory.
7.Closure: returning to a state of emotional equilibrium by the end of each session, regardless of if the reprocessing is complete for that memory. Preparing client expectations for in between sessions.
8.Re-evaluation: assessment at the beginning of each new session to determine if progress has been maintained and determine if further reprocessing is needed.
