EMDR is an 8 phase treatment protocol. These phases are outlined below so at any point in your therapy you can identify where we are and what we are working towards.
Phase 1: History taking
In this phase we will:
• Identify the presenting complaints and symptoms
• Identify recent examples of what we’d like to see different
• Identify past experiences that may have laid the groundwork for the current issue(s)
• Identify developmental and attachment deficits that may need to be strengthened
• Identify present triggers
• Identify the current goals, desires, and future template
• Identify what skills and behaviors we want to work on in order to get to desired level of functioning
Phase 2: Preparation
In this phase we begin to:
• Better understand an EMDR approach to therapy
• Learn Stabilizing/Coping Strategies
• Begin to develop needed mental/emotional resources needed to achieve our future template
Phase 3: Assessment
In this phase we begin to:
• Explore and identify what memories/experiences may be tied to our presenting problems
• Establish a target memory or experience to reprocess
Phase 4: Desensitization
In this phase we begin to:
• Apply bilateral stimulation in order to reprocess the disturbing experiences/memories
Phase 5: Installation
In this phase we begin to:
• Strengthen the association between our future template and the reprocessed memory
Phase 6: Body Scan
In this phase we begin to:
•Bring processing to a close by checking for any residual body sensations associated with the target memory/experience we have been reprocessing
Phase 7: Closure
In this phase we:
•Bring closure to the memory network we have been working on by discontinuing processing
• Continue to facilitate client stability between sessions
Phase 8: Re-evaluation
In this phase we:
• Continue to evaluate our progress in the areas we have chosen to work on
• Identify other relevant insights/learnings that have emerged as a by-product if processing
• Evaluate and identify any remaining targets that need to be reprocessed
Although we will generally move through these phases one after another we may not always take a linear path to get to where we need to go—and that is perfectly ok! Sometimes we will go back and revisit a previous phase or we may be doing the work of two phases simultaneously—this overview is provided just so we have a kind of map to chart our course as we journey together.
Comments