Phase 4 - Desensitize

Here, the application of bilateral stimulation plays a pivotal role. It helps reduce emotional intensity, making these memories less disturbing and more manageable. 

The therapist will use bilateral stimulation techniques, which may involve guiding the clients eyes to move back and forth, listening to alternating sounds through headphones, feeling a gentle tap rhythmically on each hand, or having the clients tap themselves on their thighs in sync with the therapist.

The goal is to weaken the link between the memory and the emotional response.

Repeated measurements similar to those taken at the beginning of therapy, such as the SUD scale, are used to measure reductions in the client’s distress in an objective manner. This ongoing assessment ensures that each session builds on the previous progress, leading to a gradual but steady decrease in the emotional power of traumatic memories.

This potential for decreased emotional power of traumatic memories instills hope and optimism in the client, encouraging them to continue with EMDR therapy.

An important aspect of this stage is that the clients mind does its own cognitive work internally.

The therapist may sometimes pause to ask the client what is happening in the moment, and state “Go with that.” in order to continue on. This keeps the client in control of their own healing.

Changes the client experiences during this phase may include
·      new memories / images
·      changes in images
·      changes in negative statements
·      new positive thoughts
·      new insights
·      changing physical sensations
·      new emotional associations

In order for desensitization to occur, the targeted memories tied to the initial incident need to be processed by simply keeping it in awareness. This is only for as long as the client feels is appropriate.

The therapist will recheck the client’s SUD level. If the client reports a zero, the target is considered desensitized.