A Step-by-Step Look at What Happens During an EMDR Session

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a structured approach used to assist individuals recover from traumatic experiences, anxiousness, panic attacks, and other distressing memories. Developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro within the late Nineteen Eighties, EMDR has change into a widely acknowledged technique for treating trauma-associated conditions corresponding to put up-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you happen to’ve ever wondered what an EMDR session actually entails, this guide takes you through each part so you know exactly what to expect.

1. The Initial Consultation and Preparation

The EMDR process begins with an assessment session where your therapist gathers information about your history, present challenges, and goals for therapy. This phase helps the therapist determine whether or not EMDR is appropriate for you.

During this stage, you’ll additionally talk about any previous traumatic events, emotional triggers, and signs you need to address. The therapist will clarify how EMDR works and reply questions to ensure you really feel comfortable and informed.

Preparation additionally includes learning self-soothing methods—equivalent to breathing exercises, visualization, or grounding methods—that allow you to stay calm during or after a session. These tools are essential for maintaining emotional balance throughout the treatment process.

2. Figuring out Goal Reminiscences

When you and your therapist are ready to start, the subsequent step is to identify the particular reminiscences that will be processed. These may embrace traumatic experiences, distressing thoughts, or painful emotions that continue to affect your every day life.

Every target memory is analyzed in terms of three elements:

The image that represents the worst part of the memory

The negative perception about your self linked to that occasion

The physical sensations or emotions you’re feeling when recalling it

You’ll also create a positive belief to replace the negative one—equivalent to transforming “I’m powerless” into “I’m in control now.”

3. Desensitization: The Eye Movement Process

This is the core of EMDR therapy. Throughout desensitization, the therapist asks you to focus on the chosen memory while simultaneously guiding your eye movements from side to side. This is normally finished by following the therapist’s fingers, a moving light, or rhythmic sounds.

These bilateral stimulations are thought to help the brain reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional intensity. As the session continues, chances are you’ll discover the memory becoming less vivid or distressing. Some clients experience new insights or connections as their brain integrates the expertise in a healthier way.

4. Set up of Positive Beliefs

Once the distress around the target memory decreases, the therapist helps you strengthen the positive perception you created earlier. You’ll focus on that belief—similar to “I am safe now” or “I’m strong”—while continuing the eye movement stimulation.

This step helps reinforce a more adaptive way of thinking and builds emotional resilience. The goal is for the positive perception to really feel true on both a cognitive and emotional level.

5. Body Scan

After the positive belief is put in, your therapist will guide you through a body scan. You’ll mentally check for any lingering physical stress or discomfort related to the memory. For those who still really feel any unease, additional processing may take place until your body feels calm and relaxed.

This step ensures that the healing will not be just mental but also physical, helping you achieve a sense of full relief.

6. Closure and Reflection

Every EMDR session ends with a closure phase. Your therapist ensures you permit the session feeling stable and grounded, even when the processing isn’t absolutely complete. You could be asked to make use of the comfort techniques realized earlier if any residual misery arises.

You’ll also talk about what you noticed through the session—corresponding to emotions, images, or ideas that surfaced—and the way you’re feeling afterward. It’s common for processing to proceed between sessions, so journaling or reflection will help track your progress.

7. Reevaluation

At the start of your subsequent session, your therapist will check the way you’re feeling and assessment the progress made. If the goal memory still causes misery, additional processing will occur. If not, you’ll move on to new targets. This ongoing analysis helps ensure that all facets of trauma are effectively addressed over time.

EMDR therapy is a powerful tool for healing emotional wounds and restoring mental balance. By following this structured, proof-based process, individuals usually discover reduction from painful recollections and begin to rebuild their sense of safety, confidence, and well-being.

With a trained EMDR therapist, recovery becomes not just doable—however actually transformative.