The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy:
- History-taking and treatment planning: The therapist gathers background information and identifies target memories for reprocessing.
- Preparation: The client learns grounding and self-soothing techniques to ensure emotional stability.
- Assessment: The therapist helps the client identify the image, beliefs, and body sensations connected to the traumatic memory.
- Desensitization: The client focuses on the distressing memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation (e.g., following the therapist’s moving fingers with their eyes).
- Installation: Positive beliefs are strengthened (e.g., replacing “I’m powerless” with “I can handle it now”).
- Body scan: The client notices any lingering physical tension related to the memory and processes it until it resolves.
- Closure: The therapist ensures the client is grounded and stable before ending the session.
- Re-evaluation: At the next session, the therapist checks how the processed memory feels and whether additional work is needed.