Phase 2: Preparation

This phase is to develop various centering, calming and relaxation practices and outside resources that the client can call upon is important 

Explaining the terrain for the coming journey

•       What will take place and what the client can expect

•       Address any concerns and potential emotional needs

•       Explaining how the brain responds to traumatic events and memories

•       Which BLS technique doers the client prefer?

•       Demonstrate Equipment

•       If visual motion, then a demonstration for the client to see what they are most comfortable with.

•       The client will choose a signal in order to tell the therapist to stop.

•       When the stop signal is given by the client, the therapist stops and finds out what the difficulty is and meet my needs before resuming.

The therapist should demonstrate a variety of self-control and relaxation techniques with the client in the office and only proceed with EMDR processing if the client can successfully be guided to dissipate a moderate level of disturbance.

The client needs to be able to withstand the levels of emotional disturbance that may arise during or between EMDR processing sessions. Therefore, a safety plan and familiarity with various coping techniques must be practiced and tested for the client before therapy proceeds.

FLOW, DON’T PADDLE!

If the client tries to force anything to occur, the processing is likely to stop. As much as possible, the client should be in a state of mind in which they are willing to allow the processing to take its own course.