EMDR Therapy: Is There a Typical Timeline?

Bright Light Counseling Center
May 13
3 min read

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is used to help people process traumatic memories and experiences. It involves actions that stimulate both sides of the brain. This could include the therapist guiding you to move your eyes back and forth while recalling distressing memories or using other forms of bilateral stimulation.

As you engage in this process, your brain begins to reprocess those memories, helping you feel less emotionally triggered by them.

One common question that people have when considering EMDR therapy is: how long does it take? While the timeline can vary depending on the individual, the nature of the trauma, and the goals of therapy, there are general stages to expect that can help guide your expectations.

Two people in a therapy session, one gesturing with hands, the other writing on a clipboard. Casual setting with natural light.

Initial Assessment and Preparation

EMDR therapy does not dive straight into memory processing. The first step in the process is a thorough assessment, where your therapist will get to know your history, current challenges, and trauma-related experiences. This stage typically takes one or two sessions. During this time, your therapist will also explain the EMDR process and help you establish goals for your treatment.

Another essential part of the preparation phase is learning coping skills. This is crucial because EMDR can sometimes bring up intense emotions, and your therapist will want to make sure you feel equipped to handle them. Expect to spend a few sessions building this emotional resilience before diving into the reprocessing work.

The Desensitization Phase

Once you have a solid foundation of coping tools and emotional support, your therapist will guide you through the desensitization phase. This is where the core of EMDR therapy happens: the actual processing of traumatic memories. During this phase, your therapist will ask you to recall specific memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds).

Each memory may take several minutes or longer to process, and you may work through multiple memories in a session. The number of sessions required varies depending on the complexity of the trauma and the number of memories you need to process. In some cases, people may only need a few sessions to feel relief, while others may need several months of weekly or bi-weekly sessions.

The Installation Phase

Once distressing memories are desensitized, the next phase of EMDR is the installation phase.

During this stage, the therapist helps you strengthen positive beliefs or insights related to the memory. This is where you begin to replace the negative beliefs about yourself that developed from the trauma (for example, “I am unsafe,” “I am worthless”) with healthier, more accurate beliefs (for example, “I am safe now,” “I am strong”).

This phase can vary in length, but it usually takes a few sessions. Your therapist will continue to guide you through the process of embedding these positive beliefs into your emotional experience.

The goal is to help you shift your perspective so that the trauma no longer holds the same power over your thoughts and feelings.

The Reevaluation Phase

After a few months of processing, you will enter the reevaluation phase. During this phase, you and your therapist will review your progress and ensure that the memories have been adequately processed. If any residual feelings of distress remain, you may revisit certain memories or focus on additional aspects of your trauma that have not yet been addressed.

This phase can last a few sessions. In some cases, you may need additional sessions to address new or lingering issues that come up after your initial treatment.

Conclusion

The timeline for EMDR therapy varies from person to person, but most people start to notice significant changes after a few months of consistent work. The most important thing is to communicate openly with your therapist, stay consistent in your sessions, and be patient with yourself as you heal. If you are considering EMDR therapy, be sure to reach out to our practice so we can guide you through the process and help you set realistic expectations!