By: Dee Keller, Licensed Professional Counselor
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy designed to help people process distressing memories and build healthier emotional responses. While originally developed for trauma, EMDR is now used for a variety of concerns, including anxiety, phobias, and self-esteem challenges.
⚠️EMDR Requires Specialized Training
It’s crucial to note that EMDR therapy should only be conducted by clinicians who have completed specialized training in EMDR and have received appropriate consultation. This ensures therapy is delivered safely and effectively.
EMDR can be highly effective for kids, especially when sessions incorporate play, movement, and child-friendly language. Parents play a key role in supporting their child’s progress, especially in the early phases of therapy. Virtual EMDR is also adaptable and works well with the right tools and engagement strategies. Teleo offers many interactive tools that therapists can leverage to support virtual EMDR sessions in a child-friendly and engaging way. Below is a brief overview of each of the 8 phases.
What Are The 8 Phases Of EMDR?
1. History-Taking & Treatment Planning
The therapist gathers background information, identifies potential targets for EMDR, and ensures the approach is appropriate for the child.
2. Preparation
The therapist builds trust, explains the EMDR process in a kid-friendly way, and teaches coping strategies.
💡Quick Tip: The EMDR 8 phase worksheet, shown above, is helpful to use in this phase and is found in the Activity Bank.
3. Assessment
The child and therapist identify a distressing memory, along with associated thoughts, feelings, and body sensations.
4. Desensitization
The child processes the memory using bilateral stimulation (BLS)—eye movements, tapping, and movement —to help the brain reprocess the distress.
5. Installation
The child will replace old, unhelpful beliefs with new, positive ones, fostering greater resilience and empowerment.
6. Body Scan
The child checks in with their body to ensure there’s no lingering distress.
7. Closure
The therapist helps the child return to a calm and safe state before ending the session.
8. Reevaluation
At the start of the next session, the therapist checks in with the child and/or parents to assess how the child feels about past memories and whether any new concerns or behaviors have emerged between sessions.
Teleo makes it easy to pull up activities based on your approach and topics!
What’s Next In This Series?
This article is just the beginning! In the coming months, we’ll explore each of EMDR’s eight phases. You’ll learn practical strategies for tailoring sessions to kids and specific Teleo tips to enhance engagement and effectiveness in a virtual setting.
Stay tuned for our next article, where we’ll explore Phase 1: History-Taking and Treatment Planning, with actionable insights for gathering information and setting meaningful goals using Teleo.
✍🏼Dee Keller, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor, parenting consultant, and owner of Sunnyside Counseling, a virtual practice based in Virginia. Dee focuses on supporting kids, college students, and moms in navigating anxiety, perfectionism, and overwhelm. She is dedicated to helping clients uncover their strengths and embrace balance and growth in their lives.
Learn more about Dee’s work at sunnysidecville.com