EMDR Therapy in Scottsdale

Understanding how EMDR therapy works is essential for anyone who may be considering experiencing it for themselves. The EMDR International Association explains what you should expect if you were to attend EMDR therapy.

8 Phases of EMDR Therapy Treatment

Phase 1:

The first phase is often a few sessions, and it requires an overview of your personal history, as well as a treatment plan that would suit your needs.

Phase 2:

The second phase is when you will begin to build a trusting relationship with your therapist, which is essential for moving forward in therapy. As you disclose traumas and memories from your past, your therapist will prepare you to handle future PTSD symptoms by teaching you appropriate skills for coping.

Phase 3:

The third phase is known as assessment. At this stage, you will be prompted to address specific aspects of the trauma or traumas you have experienced. This could be done through exposure to images or memories of a past event. When you are minimally exposed to the traumatic events over time, it allows you to reprocess the way you think, feel, and observe the trauma you experienced in the past.

Phase 4:

The fourth phase is desensitization. This phase focuses on how you respond to the memory of a specific trauma, and what you associate with your traumatic experience. It allows the therapist to identify what your current triggers are in relation to the trauma, and how you respond physically to the memory or discussion of the trauma (shaking, sweating, fidgeting, etc.). In order to desensitize you, the therapist will find ways to redirect your eye movements during these periods of distress, which helps you and your therapist to find a resolution to coping with your traumatic experiences.

Phase 5:

Phase five is known as installation. This is the point in treatment where you can differentiate between your past and your future. It allows you to reprocess the trauma, and eliminate negative beliefs you currently experience as a result of a past traumatic event. For example, if you were in a car accident as a result of the driver being intoxicated, you will learn that in future driving situations, you can be in control and avoid being driven by a driver under the influence.

Phase 6:

The sixth phase is a body scan. The therapist will revisit your main source of trauma with you and analyze your physical response to the exposure. The therapist will try to identify if you show signs of body tension, trembling, discomfort, and several other reactions. If so, you and your therapist will go through the assessment phase (phase three) again in order to further allow you to reprocess the trauma.

Phase 7:

The seventh phase is closure. This is where you and your therapist will establish what you can expect after therapy. You will review coping skills, progress, and goals with one another, as well as utilize the techniques you learned to help you through everyday life.

Phase 8:

The eighth phase is the reevaluation stage. At this point, you will meet with your therapist at a future time to discuss how you’ve integrated skills from treatment into your daily life. The therapist will revisit and reassess your ability to manage trauma-related stress and ensure that you are maintaining a healthy lifestyle psychologically.

Although EMDR can take a lot of work, the progress that you can make over time, and the goals you achieve can give you a sense of accomplishment, confidence, and quality of life.

If you have been struggling with PTSD symptoms for a while, you may be thinking that a treatment that can help you achieve a sense of comfort and stability is too good to be true. Luckily, it’s been shown to help many individuals to overcome past traumas.