Phase 1: history taking

During this phase we take your history and discuss what kind of memories and difficult experiences you want to resolve. This does not mean we have to talk in depth about your memories, but we will rather get a list of difficult memory “cues”, when these events occured and look for how much disturbance remains surrounding these issues.

Phase 2: resourcing

Phase 2 is all about building up your adaptive networks. In EMDR we need to connect negative material to the positive resources available in the present in order for them to consolidate into the here and now and move from short term to long term storage. In this phase you will be asked to create inner resources in the session which use both imagination and tapping into adaptive memory systems. You will also be asked to start a daily mindfulness practice to help build up your ability to be with and tolerate discomfort as it arises.

Phase 3: target selection

In phase 3 we select targets for processing and make sure we are able to access the memory networks where these are stored by exploring the following components of the inner experience:

– can you find an image that represents this memory?

– what negative belief do you associate with this memory?

– what emotions show up with this memory?

– What body sensations show up with this memory?

Phase 4: desensitization 

In this phase we use bilateral stimulation in the session to start processing the target, at this phase your only job is to simply “notice” what is showing up. Your mind may wander, it may connect to other memories. We are looking to move your SUDS level in this phase all the way to a zero. 

Phase 5: installation

Once your SUDS level is at a zero we will install positive material using bilateral stimulation alongside this inner recording to help link up the negative inner material to adaptive networks. This is simply done by starting at your target once again but replacing the negative belief with a positive alternative belief. 

Phase 6: body scan

Once your body belief is fully installed, we simply scan the body for any left over somatic material and continue with bilateral stimulation until you find no left over distess in the body. At this point we have cleared the target memory. 

Phase 7: closure

During session closure, we will either discuss how your experience with clearing a target was and/or reground you in your inner resources whenever a target is processed and not fully cleared. EMDR can be emotionally taxing and the goal is to help you leave each session feeling balanced and calm. 

Phase 8: re-evaluation

After we start the target selection and processing in EMDR we will often start sessions with phase 8 where we look into the memories and targets from the last session and ensure they are still clear, or ready for more processing. Once targets are clear, phase 8 is also used to apply positive gains from the session toward future targets to help further install this adaptive information in your nervous system. 

4 blinks Flash 

This technique is used as an adjunct to the regular 8 phases to help a client with more complex issues and/or those memories that are too difficult to access without getting overwhelmed. This is a very counselor led intervention that processes very small portions of the difficult memory at a time. 

D.N.M.S. 

The Developmental Needs Meeting Stragety protocol is used to help clients who have extensive developmental trauma that needs to be properly healed and resourced to build up the foundational adaptive resources needed to process the chosen targets in phase 3. This protocol utilizes ego state interventions and is a counselor lead exploration into your inner parts network. 

Lifespan Integration

With clients who clearly have symptomology yet struggle to set up clear phase 3 targets out of their memory networks, lifespan integration can be a useful adjunct therapy to help create coherence out of the memory system and bring insight and healing to the entire lifespan. In this protocol, the client chooses a memory cue from each year of their life (any memory!) and the counselor will read the cues back to the client repititiously so the memory networks start linking the memories together into a clear autobiographical narrative. 

Address

1155 N. State #522

Bellingham, WA 98225

Phone

(361) 423-0146