8 Phases of EMDR
People may recognize the name “EMDR,” however, when it comes to treatment there are more steps than the processing. In fact, there are 8 steps, or 8 phases of EMDR. This includes the initial meeting and understanding of the problem, preparation for EMDR through skills assessment, assessment of the level of distress associated with the memories, and then processing. Review the infographic below to see all 8 phases of EMDR.
How Long Does EMDR Take to Work
This is a question that many people ask who are interested in EMDR when starting therapy. The answer is, “it depends.” People can experience change within 15 minutes of doing EMDR, while other people take longer. This is based on a number of factors, such as 1) how long ago the incident(s) happened; 2) exploring how the symptoms affect the individual; 3) whether the incident(s) are connected to another situation, or is singular (i.e., car accident vs years of sexual abuse), other mental health needs, 4) goals for therapy, and 5) assessment. In sum, EMDR treatment can range anywhere from a few sessions to many sessions and it is tailored to each person.
When people first learn about EMDR, they commonly think of the eye movement/reprocessing/phase 4 of the model. While it is great that people have some awareness of EMDR and are interested, excited, or eager to resolve their concerns, EMDR is a continuum and there are steps both before and after the reprocessing. Below is an infographic that summarizes each of the 8 phases of EMDR.
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EMDR Therapy Utah County
Come work with me and let’s work to reprocess and resolve your trauma. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation below. During this conversation, we will talk about your situation, symptoms, and goals for therapy.
