EMDR Steps: The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy Explained

This article has been researched and written by Mariam. AI has not been used in producing this article.

The EMDR steps are a structured, eight-phase protocol that guides you from initial assessment through to lasting resolution of traumatic memories. Understanding the EMDR steps before you begin can make an enormous difference to how prepared and in control you feel. This guide breaks down every one of the EMDR steps in plain language so you know exactly what to expect.

The 8 EMDR Steps: A Phase-by-Phase Breakdown

The EMDR steps were developed by Francine Shapiro as part of the Adaptive Information Processing model. What distinguishes the steps of EMDR from other therapy protocols is that they take you through a complete arc of preparation, processing, and integration. No step is skipped; each builds deliberately on the one before.

Step 1 – History Taking

The first of the EMDR steps is history taking. The therapist conducts a thorough clinical assessment, gathering information about your background, current symptoms, significant life experiences, and the specific memories you want to address. This step also identifies any factors – such as emotional instability or active crisis – that would need to be resolved before processing can safely begin.

Step 2 – Preparation

The second of the EMDR steps is preparation. The therapist explains how EMDR works and what the steps of EMDR involve. Crucially, they teach you emotional regulation and grounding techniques – such as the Safe Place exercise – that you can use if distress becomes intense during or between sessions. No trauma processing begins until both you and your therapist are confident you have adequate resources. This phase may span one session or several.

Step 3 – Assessment

Assessment is the third of the EMDR steps. The therapist identifies the specific target memory for the session: the most distressing image, the negative belief it carries (for example, ‘I am not safe’), and how you would prefer to think about yourself instead. You rate the emotional disturbance on a scale of zero to ten and identify where you feel it in your body.

Step 4 – Desensitisation

Desensitisation is the central processing phase – the step of EMDR most people picture when they imagine the therapy. You hold the target memory in mind while the therapist applies bilateral stimulation, typically guided eye movements, in short sets. After each set, you report whatever came up. The therapist guides the next set based on your response. This continues until the memory’s disturbance rating falls to zero or near zero.

Step 5 – Installation

The fifth of the EMDR steps is installation. Once the disturbance has been cleared, the therapist helps you strengthen the positive belief identified in the assessment phase – replacing, for instance, ‘It was my fault’ with ‘I did the best I could.’ Bilateral stimulation is used again to reinforce the new belief until it feels fully true.

Step 6 – Body Scan

In the sixth of the EMDR steps, the body scan, you bring the original memory to mind alongside the installed positive belief and notice whether any physical tension remains. If it does, further processing is carried out. This step reflects the understanding that trauma is held in the body as much as in the mind, and that complete resolution requires somatic as well as cognitive integration.

Step 7 – Closure

Closure is the seventh of the EMDR steps. Whether or not the target memory has been fully processed, the therapist uses stabilisation techniques to bring you back to a settled state before you leave. If processing is incomplete, you are guided to safely contain the material until the next appointment. This step ensures you leave every session feeling resourced.

Step 8 – Re-evaluation

The final of the EMDR steps is re-evaluation. At the start of the next session, the therapist reviews the previous target to check whether the processing has held and whether any new material has emerged. Re-evaluation also guides decisions about what to work on next.

How Many Sessions Do the 8 Steps of EMDR Take?

The 8 steps of EMDR are not completed in eight sessions. Preparation may take one to three sessions. Each processing target may require one or more desensitisation sessions. Most clients working on a single-incident trauma complete treatment within six to twelve sessions. The steps of EMDR for complex trauma typically require a longer course. To understand what drives the process, read our guide to how does EMDR work in the brain. To find a specialist who follows the full protocol, see our guide to the best EMDR therapist in Dubai and what qualifications to look for. If you are still choosing a provider, our guide on how to find a good EMDR therapist will walk you through exactly what to ask.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 8 phases of EMDR therapy?

The 8 phases of EMDR therapy are: history taking, preparation, assessment, desensitisation, installation, body scan, closure, and re-evaluation. Each phase has a specific clinical purpose, and together they form a complete arc from initial assessment to lasting resolution.

How long does each EMDR step take?

The early steps may take one to three sessions depending on your history and stability. Desensitisation and installation are typically the most time-intensive. Closure and re-evaluation occur within every session regardless of whether full processing was completed.

Do all EMDR therapists follow the same steps?

Yes. The EMDR steps are a standardised protocol maintained by the EMDR International Association. All properly trained EMDR therapists follow the same eight-phase structure, adapting the pace to each individual client’s needs.

Related reading

• How Does EMDR Work? The Brain Science, Process & Real Results
• What Is EMDR Therapy? How It Works, Benefits & What to Expect

Mariam