EMDR-therapy proceeds in eight phases:

1. Mapping the patient’s history, possible symptom measurements, and treatment planning.
2. Preparatory stage: the patient is introduced to the mechanisms and procedures of EMDR therapy, and their mental resources are strengthened, for example, through a safe place exercise.
3. Subjective evaluation of the event to be processed, which proceeds step by step as follows: The customer selects a memory (event) to be processed and the associated image that best represents the disturbance associated with the memory. Together with the therapist, the customer seeks a negative cognition suitable for the image, which indicates the negative and irrational belief of oneself in relation to that event (for example, “I am vulnerable”). The customer seeks a positive cognition suitable for the image, which is more positive and realistic experience of oneself in relation to that event (for example, “I am strong”). The customer evaluates the reality of the positive cognition at the affect level relative to the image on a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 = not true at all and 7 = completely true. The customer evaluates the intensity of the feeling of disturbance associated with the event on a scale of 0 to 10 of subjective disturbance unit, where 10 = maximum disturbance and 0 = neutral. In addition, the customer tells where in their body they recognize the disturbance (e.g., “lump in the throat”).
4. Desensitization: with the customer simultaneously keeping in mind the image of the event, negative cognition and bodily sensations, the identified disorder is desensitized with a series of bilateral stimuli until the disturbance of the image is reduced to zero or ecological level.
5. Rooting: the customer’s positive cognition is rooted in the memory being processed, keeping in mind the target memory and positive cognition at the same time and providing bilateral stimulus until the customer feels the positive cognition on a scale of 1 to 7 is completely true in relation to the event.
6. Checking the body: The customer is asked to keep in mind the target memory and positive cognition and to go through their body in their mind to check if there is still tension in the body in the form of bodily sensations. Any remaining bodily sensations are processed through eye movements.
7. Completion: The therapy session is completed, the customer and the therapist discuss the session (e.g. what was achieved with it), and the customer is advised to identify and process any post-processing.
8. Reassessment: assessment of treatment outcomes to assess the customer’s overall progress, the changes achieved as a result of re-treatment, and the permanence of treatment outcomes.

(*) Source: Häkkänen-Nyholm, H., Heinimaa, M., & Solomon R. (2020). Silmänliiketerapian käyttö läheisen menetyksestä aiheutuneen komplisoituneen surun hoitoon. Duodecim 136(17):1889-94.