Written by the Psychology & Counseling Associates team, a multidisciplinary mental health practice serving NWA since 1996.
EMDR therapy follows eight phases: history and treatment planning, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation. The first three phases build safety and choose what to work on. Phases four through seven process a specific memory. Phase eight opens each new session to check progress.
Knowing the EMDR phases ahead of time can make a first session feel far less uncertain. EMDR is a structured therapy, and each step has a clear purpose. At Psychology & Counseling Associates, EMDR therapy is one of the trauma-focused options our therapists offer at our Fayetteville and Rogers offices. Here is what happens at each stage.
What Are the 8 Phases of EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It was developed in 1987 to treat posttraumatic stress disorder, and it uses a standardized eight-phase approach, according to the American Psychological Association’s overview of EMDR therapy.
| Phase | Name | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | History and treatment planning | You and your therapist review your history and choose targets for treatment |
| 2 | Preparation | Your therapist explains the process and teaches calming skills |
| 3 | Assessment | You identify the image, beliefs, emotions, and body sensations tied to one memory |
| 4 | Desensitization | You focus on the memory during short sets of bilateral stimulation |
| 5 | Installation | A positive belief you chose is strengthened |
| 6 | Body scan | You notice and process any physical tension that remains |
| 7 | Closure | Every session ends with steps to help you feel settled |
| 8 | Reevaluation | Each new session begins by reviewing progress and choosing the next focus |
The phases are not always one per session. Some, like closure and reevaluation, happen in every session once memory work begins.
What Happens Before Any Memory Work Begins?
The first two phases are about planning and safety, not about revisiting painful memories. You will not be asked to start processing a trauma on day one.
In phase one, your therapist takes a full history and works with you to identify treatment targets. The EMDR International Association explains that targets usually include three things: past events that created the problem, present situations that cause distress, and skills you want for the future.
One feature surprises many people. You do not have to describe a disturbing memory in detail. A short, general description is often enough for your therapist to identify the event and target it. Our therapists move at a pace that feels safe, and you are never pressured to share more than you are ready to.
Phase two is preparation. Your therapist explains how EMDR works, answers your questions, and practices the bilateral stimulation with you. This can be eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds, and you can choose what feels comfortable. You will also learn calming techniques, such as a calm or safe place exercise, that you can use during and between sessions.
How Does Your Therapist Choose a Memory to Work On?
Phase three, assessment, brings one target memory into focus in a structured way. Your therapist asks you to identify each part of it:
- An image that best represents the memory
- A negative belief about yourself that goes with it, such as “I am helpless”
- A positive belief you would rather hold, such as “I am safe now”
- The emotions the memory brings up
- Where you feel it in your body
Your therapist then uses two simple rating scales. The Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) scale rates how disturbing the memory feels, from 0 (no disturbance) to 10 (the worst you can imagine). The Validity of Cognition (VOC) scale rates how true the positive belief feels, from 1 (completely false) to 7 (completely true).
These scores give you and your therapist a shared way to track change. The aim in the next phases is for the disturbance score to go down and the positive belief score to go up.
What Happens During Reprocessing in Phases 4 Through 6?
Reprocessing is the part of EMDR most people picture. You briefly focus on the memory while following short sets of bilateral stimulation, then notice what comes up.
Phase 4, desensitization. After each set, you share whatever new thoughts, images, or feelings have surfaced. Your therapist uses standardized procedures to decide the focus of the next set. This continues until the memory no longer feels distressing.
Phase 5, installation. Your therapist helps strengthen the positive belief you chose in phase three. You rate it again on the 1 to 7 scale.
Phase 6, body scan. You hold the memory and the positive belief in mind and check for any remaining tension or discomfort in your body. If something is still there, your therapist uses more bilateral stimulation to process it.
You stay in control throughout. The EMDR International Association notes that clients can stop at any time, often with a simple agreed-upon signal like raising a hand.
How Does Each EMDR Session End and Begin?
Every session ends with phase seven, closure, and every new session after reprocessing begins with phase eight, reevaluation. These two phases keep you steady between appointments.
During closure, your therapist helps you return to a calm state, whether or not the memory was fully processed that day. If it was not, your therapist uses specific techniques to help contain it until the next session. You may also talk about what to expect between sessions, since some processing can continue, and how to use your calming skills at home.
During reevaluation, your therapist checks in on how you have been doing and whether earlier progress has held. You review any memories that came up since your last visit, and together you choose what to focus on next.
How Long Does EMDR Therapy Take?
The length of EMDR therapy depends on your history and goals. The American Psychological Association describes EMDR as typically delivered one to two times per week for a total of 6 to 12 sessions, and notes that some people benefit from fewer. Processing of a single memory is generally completed within one to three sessions.
Several things can affect your own timeline:
- The number of targets. A single event usually takes less time than several related memories.
- Preparation needs. Some people spend more time building calming skills before reprocessing begins.
- Your other goals. EMDR can be one part of a broader care plan that also includes other therapy approaches.
Your therapist will talk with you about a plan that fits your goals and adjust it as you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
EMDR was first developed to treat PTSD, and the American Psychological Association’s clinical practice guideline for PTSD suggests it as a treatment option. Our therapists also use EMDR as part of care for other concerns, such as anxiety and phobias. Your therapist will talk with you about whether it fits your situation.
No. Bilateral stimulation happens in short sets, with breaks to talk in between. It can use eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds, so you can choose the option that feels most comfortable.
Not in the way many people expect. The American Psychological Association notes that EMDR does not include extended exposure to the memory, detailed descriptions of the trauma, or homework assignments. Between sessions, your therapist may suggest using your calming skills and jotting down anything new that comes up.
Please do not wait for an EMDR appointment. Our clinic is not an acute care facility. Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. Our crisis resources page lists more options.
Start EMDR Therapy in Fayetteville or Rogers
If trauma or a painful memory keeps pulling you back, EMDR may be worth exploring with one of our therapists. You can read more about how we approach PTSD treatment, or take the next step now. Request an appointment and mention EMDR, or call (479) 443-5575.