What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences and distressing memories. EMDR is particularly effective for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, phobias, dissociative disorders, and grief. The therapy is grounded in the understanding that traumatic memories can remain “stuck” with the same perception, attitude, and behavioral reactions experienced at the time of the event, continuing to trigger emotional and physiological distress long after the original event has passed. The skilled and compassionate EMDR therapists at Balanced Mind of New York can support you through your journey of healing and well-being. To schedule a free 15-minute consultation, please contact us at [email protected] or 646-883-5544.
What are the Eight Phases of EMDR?
EMDR therapy helps the brain reprocess traumatic or negative memories by using a structured eight-phase approach. This process incorporates bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues, to facilitate the brain’s natural healing mechanisms. By using the eight phases to address these unresolved memories, EMDR helps clients achieve a greater sense of emotional balance and resilience, often leading to lasting improvements in their mental health and overall quality of life. The eight phases of EMDR therapy include:
History-Taking and Treatment Planning
The first phase of EMDR therapy, History-Taking and Treatment Planning, is a foundational step where the therapist gathers a comprehensive understanding of the client’s history, current concerns, and therapy goals. During this phase, the EMDR therapist explores the client’s past experiences, focusing on distressing or traumatic events that may have contributed to their current emotional difficulties. This includes identifying specific memories, triggers, and any patterns of negative beliefs or behaviors. The therapist also assesses the client’s readiness for EMDR therapy by evaluating their emotional stability, coping mechanisms, and ability to tolerate distress. If necessary, time may be spent addressing immediate safety or stabilization needs before proceeding. Together, the client and therapist create a treatment plan that identifies target memories for processing, current situations causing negative emotions, and the client’s desired future outcomes. This phase is critical for building trust between the client and therapist, setting the stage for an effective and personalized EMDR treatment process.
Preparation
The Preparation phase focuses on equipping the client with the tools that are needed to engage safely and effectively in the therapy process. During this phase, the therapist explains how EMDR works, including its goals and the use of bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. This helps demystify the process and fosters a sense of trust and collaboration between the client and therapist to establish an effective therapeutic relationship. A key aspect of this phase is teaching the client relaxation techniques to manage emotional distress, such as grounding exercises or mindfulness strategies, that the client can use if processing becomes overwhelming. By the end of the Preparation phase, the client should feel informed, supported, and confident in their ability to navigate the upcoming stages of EMDR therapy.
Assessment
The Assessment phase of EMDR focuses on identifying traumatic events and preparing specific target memories for processing. The client is encouraged to recall disturbing memories, which includes the vivid images, thoughts, emotional responses, and body sensations associated with these past memories. The therapist also helps the client establish a measurable target, such as a negative belief tied to the memory (e.g., “I am powerless”) and a desired positive belief to replace it (e.g., “I am in control now”). This structured identification process ensures that the therapy is centered on the most impactful experiences, setting a solid foundation for the following therapeutic phases. By addressing the emotional, cognitive, and physical aspects of the memory, the Assessment phase ensures a holistic approach to healing.
Desensitization
The fourth phase, Desensitization, is the core stage where the client processes the identified traumatic memory using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. During this phase, the client focuses on the distressing memory, including its associated image, negative belief, emotions, and physical sensations, while engaging in the bilateral stimulation guided by the EMDR therapist. This dual focus helps the brain reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional intensity and breaking the connection between the memory and current distress.
The therapist monitors the client’s responses throughout the process, encouraging them to notice whatever thoughts, feelings, or sensations arise, and gently redirects their focus back to the memory or the emerging material as needed. Over time, the distress associated with the memory diminishes, as indicated by a decreasing score on the Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) scale. The goal of this phase is to neutralize the emotional charge of the memory, allowing the client to recall the event without experiencing overwhelming distress. This transformative process helps the client gain new perspectives on the memory, fostering emotional healing and adaptive processing.
Installation
The Installation phase centers on strengthening positive beliefs and associations to replace the negative beliefs tied to a traumatic memory. After the distress related to the memory has been reduced during the Desensitization phase, the client is guided to focus on a positive belief they want to associate with the memory, such as “I am safe now” or “I am resilient.” Bilateral stimulation is used again during this phase to help the brain integrate this positive belief, reinforcing its connection to the memory. The therapist works with the client to ensure the new belief feels authentic and resonates deeply. The goal of the Installation phase is to solidify this adaptive belief, empowering the client to view the memory from a healthier, more self-affirming perspective. This phase plays a critical role in transforming the way the memory is stored, allowing the client to move forward with greater confidence and emotional balance.
Body Scan
The sixth phase of the EMDR process, Body Scan, focuses on identifying and resolving any lingering physical sensations or tension associated with the processed memory. After the positive belief has been successfully installed in the previous phase, the client is asked to bring the target memory to mind again, along with the new belief, and scan their body for any signs of discomfort, tightness, or distress. This step ensures that any residual physical responses to the targeted event are addressed, as trauma is often stored not only in the mind but also in the body. If the client notices any remaining discomfort, bilateral stimulation is used to process these body sensations until they are neutralized. The Body Scan phase helps achieve full resolution of the memory by ensuring that emotional and physical responses are aligned with the new, adaptive belief. This integration strengthens the client’s sense of safety and well-being, promoting a deeper level of healing and helping them feel more grounded in the present.
Closure
The seventh phase, Closure, serves to ensure that the client leaves each session feeling stable, grounded, and emotionally secure. At the end of EMDR sessions, the therapist reviews the work done and checks in with the client to assess how they are feeling, especially in relation to the traumatic event that was processed. If the client reports that emotional disturbance remains, the therapist may guide the client through additional techniques to reduce the distress. Additionally, if the processing of a memory is incomplete or if the client is feeling unsettled, the therapist will provide strategies, such as relaxation or grounding exercises, to help the client feel safe and calm.
One important aspect of this phase is helping the client return to a sense of equilibrium by using tools they can carry with them outside of therapy, such as visualizations of a safe place or self-soothing methods. The Closure phase ensures that the client does not leave the EMDR therapy session feeling overwhelmed or emotionally triggered, creating a buffer of emotional stability between sessions. It also reinforces the understanding that the work is ongoing and that they can return to their therapeutic resources as needed.
Reevaluation
The Reevaluation phase of EMDR therapy takes place at the beginning of subsequent sessions to assess progress and ensure that the treatment is effective and ongoing. During this phase, the therapist and client review the memories processed in previous sessions to determine whether the emotional intensity has been fully resolved or if any residual distress remains. The client may be asked to recall the memory and reassess their feelings about it, as well as the validity of the positive belief installed during the Installation phase. If any new issues or triggers have arisen since the last session, the therapist addresses them and adjusts the treatment plan as needed.
The Revaluation phase is essential for tracking the long-term effectiveness of the therapy, ensuring that the changes made during EMDR therapy are durable, and identifying any additional areas for further processing. This phase helps the therapist and client maintain a dynamic and flexible approach to treatment, ensuring continued progress and emotional healing.
How Do I Pay For My EMDR Therapy?
At Balanced Mind of New York, we offer multiple payment options to fit your needs and budget.
In-Network Insurance Provider: Balanced Mind is proud to be an in-network provider for clients covered by Aetna insurance plans.
Out-of-Network Insurance Provider: For all other insurances, we provide superbills for reimbursement. We will contact your insurance company to confirm your eligibility and benefits, including the reimbursement rate for each session. We will also guide you through the process of sending superbills to your insurance.
If you have an out-of-network plan, any reimbursements will be sent directly to you from your insurance provider. Insurance typically reimburses 50-80% of the fee, but note that each policy is different.
Self-Payment Options: If no insurance coverage is available, clients may choose to pay for services out of their own pocket. If you need to pay out of pocket, we offer a sliding scale as part of our commitment to providing affordable care.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and HSA/FSA cards.
How Your EMDR Therapist at Balanced Mind of New York Can Help You Through the Eight Phases of EMDR
The EMDR Therapists of Balanced Mind of New York are dedicated to supporting you on your journey to healing through the proven eight-phase EMDR therapy process. This comprehensive approach is tailored to meet your unique needs, ensuring a compassionate and results-driven experience. We offer flexible appointment options, including in-person and telehealth sessions, to fit your schedule.
Reach out today to take the next step toward emotional well-being. Contact the psychotherapists at Balanced Mind of New York at 646-883-5544 or [email protected] for more information and to schedule your initial consultation. We look forward to working with you!
