AN INTRODUCTION TO
EMDR THERAPY
Phase 1
History Taking & Treatment Planning
Phase 2
Preparation
Therapist and client take some time to build trust and get to know one another. This part includes talking about family history, past and current symptoms, and attempted solutions.
EMDR activates past trauma in a controlled and safe environment to reprocess them in a new light. It’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure that you are prepared to revisit and desensitize past traumatic events. This phase involves the teaching and practice of techniques that help the client stay calm and grounded during activation.
Phase 3
Assessment
Phase 3 involves mapping out both the negative and positive neural networks and their associated core beliefs. Therapist and client work together as architects constructing a more beneficial mind and body system.
Phase 4
Desensitization
A form of bilateral stimulation will be utilized to help reduce the levels of traumatic response associated with the selected traumatic material. I’ll help guide you to integration of newer, more positive belief systems.
Phase 5
Installation
A form of bilateral stimulation will be used to install more positive beliefs systems into the core of your internal cognitive-emotional narrative.
Phase 6
Body Scan
Peer-reviewed evidence and studies indicate that the trauma narrative is stored in the body. Pick up The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk for a detailed scientific account. It’s important to process the body’s response during this phase.
Phase 7
Closure
Debrief of the session is important to ensure re-grounding. Some additional relaxation methods may be used here.
Phase 8
Re-Evaluation
After a period of 6-12 weeks. We will work together to determine if more EMDR is necessary. You may feel an increased sense of confidence, joy, calm, and serenity.