If you've been considering Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, you may have a mix of anticipation and apprehension about your first session. EMDR is a powerful therapeutic approach designed to help people process and heal from traumatic experiences, but stepping into something new can naturally stir up some nerves. Here’s a glimpse into what you can expect from your first EMDR session to help you feel more prepared and at ease.
First, our initial session will typically begin with an introduction to therapy in general, including the practice policies and procedures, as well as introductions for us as the therapist and client, and then the assessment phase begins. I will start by getting to know you, your history, and your current concerns. This is an opportunity for you to share your background and any specific issues or traumas you want to address. It’s also a chance for you to ask me any questions, and we can begin to establish what safety feels like for you in the therapeutic process.
I will also explain the EMDR process in as much detail as you’d like. You are always welcome to ask questions and clarify any doubts you may have about the process.
Then, once your history and concerns are understood, I will work with you to identify your therapeutic goals. These goals will guide our EMDR process and help tailor the sessions to your specific needs. The treatment plan will outline the steps involved. It can be as simple or as detailed of a treatment plan as we want to create together.
Here’s an overview of the 8 phases of EMDR therapy.
1. History Taking and Treatment Planning
This is what I described above.
2. Preparation –
This involves building trust together and explaining the EMDR techniques, including the bilateral stimulation (typically involving guided eye movements), as well as tons of other exercises. This stage can sometimes be the longest, and we often return to this phase between other phases.
3. Assessment –
Identifying specific memories to target and the sensations, emotions, and negative beliefs that come with them.
4. Desensitization –
Using bilateral stimulation to process the traumatic memories. This is the part that most people understand as EMDR. It is the part where you brain is very active in healing itself and updating the system.
5. Installation –
This phase is what we do when we install the true positive beliefs about yourself or the world. We are replacing the old programs with new chosen ones.
6. Body Scan –
This is what I often refer to as “double-checking our work.” Here, we bring up the target and check for any residual tension or distress related to the memory. Sometimes it brings up a new layer of the onion that allows us to heal even more deeply.
7. Closure –
This gives you a moment to let the learning settle in, before the session ends.
8. Re-evaluation –
We re-evaluate where we are as we re-engage each session.
Some of the time, the therapy follows the 8 phases in order, but there are times when we will do things “out of order” for good reasons. You can ALWAYS ask if you’re curious about something we’re doing in therapy. I like making decisions together with my clients, so that they have voice and choice and vote about what gets prioritized. You’re the expert on your own life after all!
As you can see, EMDR is a very thorough therapeutic approach. Even with an intensive session (2 hours or more) we may not get through very many stages, depending on the level of complication of the traumas.
It’s important to know that each and every stage IS EMDR therapy. A lot of time the 4th phase “Desensitization” gets all the hype. However, the bi-lateral stimulation won’t magically cure you of your panic attacks or other symptoms if we just start there. Every phase that we work in is making progress towards that healing.
In a traditional 50-minute therapy session, often we will only get to phases 1 and SOMETIMES 2 and 3. (This is partially why I offer longer sessions, it allows us to do less of phase 8, and more of the other phases which seems to move us along the therapeutic journey more effectively.)
Side Note:
If you decide to start therapy with me, please reach out and ask about access to my For Clients Only page. There I have journal prompts and videos that you can use to prepare in order to get the most out of our time together. This allows you to start on phase 2 before we’ve even met in person.
I hope this is helpful as you get a feel for what EMDR therapy can look like. A big part of my therapeutic approach is permission. I want you to feel comfortable giving and NOT giving me permission for different things that arise in therapy. (For example, if a certain exercise doesn’t work well for you, I want you to feel like you can say “I don’t want to do that exercise anymore, it doesn’t work for me.”) A big part of our first several sessions together is working to create that space for us to learn how to communicate with each other.
I hope that you have the chance to experience EMDR therapy and decide if it is a good fit for you. As always, if you want to schedule a consultation, be sure to reach out.
Take Care,
~Molly