EMDR Phases: From Assessment to Healing – How EMDR Works

Traumatic events can have lasting effects on emotional health, leading to disorders like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and chronic stress. These experiences are stored in the brain as disturbing memories, which can trigger distressing emotions, physical sensations, and negative beliefs long after the original event has passed.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy offers an effective treatment for trauma by helping clients process these traumatic memories in a way that reduces emotional distress. Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR is a comprehensive eight-phase approach that integrates the mind, body, and emotions to create lasting healing.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• The eight phases of EMDR and how they work.
• Why EMDR works

Ready to learn more? Let’s dive into how EMDR can help you or someone you love heal from trauma.

The 8 Phases of EMDR

EMDR follows an eight-phase approach that helps clients process traumatic memories, reduce emotional distress, and replace negative beliefs with positive ones. Let’s take a closer look at how each phase contributes to the healing process.

EMDR Phase 1: History Taking and Treatment Planning

In the first phase, the therapist gathers the client’s personal history and identifies the traumatic memories that will be the focus of treatment. This step is essential for creating a targeted treatment plan that meets the specific needs and goals of the client.

• Focus: Building a therapeutic alliance to create a safe environment for the client.
• Goal: Identify target memories, negative beliefs, and associated body sensations.

Additional Reading: Read more about the process behind the therapy in EMDR: The Importance of Assessing Client Readiness (Stability).

EMDR Phase 2: Preparation

During the preparation phase, clients learn coping techniques like mindfulness, grounding exercises, and stress reduction methods to help them manage emotional distress. This phase ensures that clients feel safe and empowered before beginning the deeper work of processing traumatic memories.

• Techniques: Self-control techniques, relaxation exercises, and breathing techniques.
• Goal: Equip the client with tools to manage emotional responses during and after sessions.

EMDR Phase 3: Assessment

The assessment phase helps the therapist and client identify the key elements of the traumatic memory, such as the visual image, negative emotions, physical sensations, and negative beliefs tied to the memory. The therapist uses a measurement called the Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) to evaluate the level of distress caused by the memory.

• Focus: Identifying disturbing memories and negative cognitions.
• Goal: Establishing the target memory for processing.

Additional Reading: Trauma can take many forms. Read about Stuck in Time: Understanding the Freeze Trauma Response.

EMDR Phase 4: Desensitization

This phase involves the use of bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or tones) to help the brain reprocess the traumatic memory. The goal is to reduce the emotional charge and distress related to the memory. Studies have shown that EMDR leads to a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms, with some clients seeing improvements in as few as 1-2 sessions.

• Techniques: Bilateral eye movements, attention to disturbing memories.
• Goal: Decrease negative emotions and reduce stress linked to traumatic events.

EMDR Phase 5: Installation

Once the traumatic memory has been desensitized, the therapist helps the client replace the negative belief with a positive cognition (e.g., “I am safe”). This reinforces more adaptive, empowering beliefs, helping clients build resilience and emotional strength.
Focus: Replacing negative beliefs with positive ones.
Goal: Install positive beliefs and emotions, creating a sense of safety and self-worth.

EMDR Phase 6: Body Scan

In this phase, the therapist checks for any lingering physical tension or discomfort associated with the trauma. The body scan helps ensure that the memory no longer triggers physical distress, allowing the client to fully release the trauma from their body.

• Focus: Body sensations and physical responses.
• Goal: Achieve complete resolution of trauma-related body tension and discomfort.

Additional Reading: Learn about the versatility of EMDR therapy in EMDR: A Pathway for Healing from Relational Trauma.

EMDR Phase 7: Closure

At the end of each session, the therapist helps the client return to a calm and stable state, ensuring they leave the session feeling grounded and in control. The client is often given self-care practices to use between sessions, such as breathing exercises or mindfulness techniques.

• Focus: Emotional stability and closure.
• Goal: Ensure the client feels safe and calm before the session ends.

EMDR Phase 8: Re-evaluation

The final phase involves reviewing the client’s progress at the beginning of each session. The therapist assesses whether additional sessions are needed or if the treatment goals have been met. This continual re-evaluation ensures that the therapy is working effectively and that any remaining distress is addressed.

• Focus: Tracking progress and reassessing treatment goals.
• Goal: Ensure full healing and resolution of trauma.

By addressing traumatic memories holistically—considering the client’s emotions, body sensations, and cognitive responses—EMDR facilitates deep healing and empowers individuals to move forward with greater emotional resilience.

Why EMDR Works

EMDR facilitates healing by using bilateral stimulation to help unlock the brain’s natural healing abilities. This stimulation allows clients to reprocess traumatic memories, decreasing the emotional and physical charge tied to the trauma. The approach focuses on bringing attention to the traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, allowing the brain to integrate the memory in a healthier, adaptive way. According to a study published in the Permanente Journal, EMDR can help reduce PTSD symptoms in 77-90% of patients within 3-7 sessions.

The Science Behind EMDR Phases

• Memory Processing: During a trauma, memories, and emotions are stored in the brain in a way that causes negative beliefs, physical sensations, and emotions to persist. EMDR helps reprocess these disturbing memories so they no longer trigger distress.
• Bilateral Stimulation: The use of eye movements or other bilateral stimulation helps the brain to “digest” and reprocess the memory. This technique has been shown to lead to a reduction in distress and promote a shift from negative beliefs (e.g., “I am powerless”) to positive beliefs (e.g., “I am in control”).
• Cognition and Beliefs: EMDR strengthens positive cognition and beliefs by replacing the negative emotions and physical responses tied to the memory. In fact, clients often report a significant shift in their emotional response to the original target memory after treatment.

Additional Reading: You might also want to take a look at When Love Hurts: Navigating the 7 Stages of Trauma Bonding.

Who Can Benefit from EMDR

• Clients with PTSD: A landmark study revealed that 77-90% of trauma survivors who underwent EMDR showed improvement in PTSD symptoms after as few as three sessions.
• Adults with Anxiety or Panic Disorders: EMDR helps individuals resolve negative experiences that contribute to anxiety or panic attacks by addressing the physical sensations and emotions linked to these events.
• Those Facing Everyday Stress: EMDR is also effective in reducing chronic stress by processing unresolved memories and disturbing events that may cause ongoing distress in daily life.

Key Elements of EMDR’s Success

• Holistic Approach: By targeting both emotional responses and bodily sensations, EMDR takes a comprehensive approach to trauma. It’s not just about remembering the traumatic event; it’s about fully releasing the physical tension and emotional wound tied to the experience.
• Installation Phase: One of EMDR’s key components is the Installation phase, where clients reinforce positive cognition—beliefs like “I am safe” or “I am capable.” This shift in mindset is crucial for long-term healing.
• Complete Resolution: Through EMDR’s structured eight-phase approach, clients often report a sense of complete resolution, where they can think about the traumatic event without experiencing distressing emotions or body sensations.

EMDR is a leading therapy for trauma recovery because it focuses on the whole person—helping clients heal both their minds and bodies. By reprocessing trauma in a safe, therapeutic environment, EMDR allows for adaptive resolution and lasting emotional health.

With its strong evidence base and client success stories, EMDR stands out as one of the most effective treatments for trauma and emotional healing.

Counseling Associates for Well-Being: Your Trauma Therapy Experts

At Counseling Associates for Well-Being, we specialize in trauma therapy that addresses the whole person—mind, body, and emotions. Our expert team of clinicians is trained in evidence-based treatments like EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, and somatic experiencing techniques. We understand that traumatic experiences impact every aspect of a person’s well-being, and we tailor treatment plans to meet the unique needs of each client.

Why Choose Us?

• Holistic Approach: We treat the whole person, addressing not only the traumatic memories but also the emotional and physical sensations associated with trauma.
• Expert Clinicians: Our therapists are trained in advanced techniques like EMDR to help process distressing memories, reduce stress, and foster positive beliefs.
• Compassionate Care: We prioritize a client-centered approach, ensuring that each individual feels heard, supported, and empowered throughout their healing journey.

Whether you’re facing PTSD, anxiety, or past disturbing events, we’re here to help you achieve lasting emotional health and a balanced, fulfilling life. Let us guide you toward a complete resolution of your trauma and help you create a brighter future. Make an appointment today!