You’ve heard about the benefits of this life-changing therapy called EMDR therapy, and you’ve booked that first session with your EMDR therapist. What happens next? 

BEGINNING EMDR 

Just like in the first few sessions of any new therapeutic relationship, an EMDR therapist will first gather your history and background. It’s important to build trust and an environment of safety so that you can be supported in a way that fits you best. The information you share in these beginning sessions don’t have to include any details about the trauma you’ve experienced; rather, it’s a time to give your therapist markers for things that you may want to process.  

During the beginning stages, your therapist will be assessing for readiness for the processing portion of EMDR therapy. Readiness can depend on the presence of current life stressors, ability to emotionally regulate, and current coping skills. You will begin to fill up your coping skills toolbox with resources to help you regulate emotions and feel safe when processing.

PROCESSING TRAUMATIC MEMORIES

Once there is a secure base from which to process traumatic memories, you will work collaboratively with your therapist to discover negative core beliefs tied to those memories. Again, just as in the beginning, no details need to be revealed here, only the event(s) recalled. The focus is to understand what negative core beliefs are strung like a thread through these experiences. In this stage, target memories will be identified for processing. 

Beginning with one target memory, you will begin processing through a mechanism called bilateral stimulation. This method allows for stimulation of both sides of the body, and by extension, both sides of your brain. This may be done through eye movements, tapping your shoulders or knees, or through use of vibrating technology called tappers. Your therapist can help you decide what might work best for you.  

HOW LONG DOES EMDR THERAPY TAKE? 

The duration of EMDR therapy often depends on many factors, which means predicting the length of sessions is difficult. Ask your therapist if you have questions about the duration of therapy. 

The goals of EMDR are to help you feel less distress at traumatic memories— understanding that the past is in the past—and to help you move forward with new positive core beliefs about yourself. Speak to one of our EMDR therapists today to experience the many benefits of EMDR therapy.