What to Expect During Phase 4 of EMDR Therapy
Laying the Foundation
Healing from trauma can feel terrifying. With EMDR and a person centered approach, we ensure you have a solid foundation so you feel safe exploring your past. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence-based approach designed to address the emotional and physical impacts of trauma, helping you reclaim a sense of peace and control in your life.
Each phase of EMDR builds upon the previous one, creating a step-by-step process to support your healing. Before we dive into what Phase 4 is like, let’s revisit the work we’ve already done to prepare for this transformative step:
Phase 1: History Taking and Treatment Planning
The first step of EMDR therapy is all about understanding you. During this phase, we explore your life experiences to identify the memories, patterns, and beliefs that continue to impact you today. This includes uncovering negative core beliefs, such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’m unsafe,” that may have developed as a result of your experiences.
Together, we create a treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs. This ensures we’re targeting the memories, symptoms, and themes that feel most important to your healing journey.
Phase 2: Preparation
In Phase 2, our focus shifts to ensuring you feel equipped and supported as we move deeper into the work. We spend time developing emotional regulation skills and other resources to help you manage any distress that may arise during the process. These skills are also great to use outside of session.
This phase also emphasizes trust—both in the therapy process and in our working relationship. Building this foundation of safety allows you to approach the deeper phases of EMDR with confidence.
Phase 3: Assessment
The third phase involves selecting specific target memories for reprocessing. Each target memory is broken down into its components: the image, negative belief, emotions, and body sensations connected to it.
For example, a target memory might involve an image of a childhood experience where you felt rejected, the belief “I’m not good enough,” and emotions like sadness or shame. These details help guide the work we’ll do in Phase 4 and ensure that we’re addressing the experiences and feelings that feel stuck.
With these three steps complete, we’re ready to move into Phase 4—the core of the EMDR process.
Phase 4: Desensitization and Reprocessing
Phase 4 is where EMDR therapy shifts into active processing. Using bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements, tapping, or audio tones), we help your brain access its natural healing abilities to reprocess painful memories.
When we experience trauma, these memories often become “stuck” in our nervous system, unable to fully integrate with the rest of our experiences. This can leave us feeling triggered, overwhelmed, or disconnected long after the event has passed. The goal of Phase 4 is to help your brain “unstick” these memories, reducing their emotional charge and transforming the way they impact you.
What to Expect During a Session
In a typical Phase 4 session, we begin by focusing on the target memory selected in Phase 3. You’ll bring this memory into your awareness, including the image, negative belief, emotions, and physical sensations associated with it.
As we introduce bilateral stimulation, your brain begins to reprocess the memory. You might notice changes in your thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations as the process unfolds. For some, this looks like gaining new insights or making connections between past experiences and present behaviors. For others, it might involve feeling the emotional intensity of the memory gradually decrease.
This process is not about reliving the trauma—it’s about transforming how the memory feels now. Throughout the session, we pause regularly to check in, ensuring that you feel safe and supported at all times.
The Transformative Power of Phase 4
Phase 4 can feel like a turning point in your healing journey. By reducing the emotional weight of painful memories, you may notice significant changes in how you think, feel, and respond to the world around you.
Here are some common shifts clients experience during and after Phase 4:
Increased emotional relief: Memories that once felt overwhelming may become neutral or even distant.
Shifts in self-belief: Negative core beliefs, such as “I’m not enough,” often transform into more empowering ones, like “I am worthy.”
Improved physical well-being: Many clients notice a reduction in physical symptoms tied to trauma, such as tension, headaches, or fatigue.
Greater self-awareness: As memories are reprocessed, you may gain new insights about yourself and your experiences.
Why Safety and Support Matter
The reprocessing work in Phase 4 can bring up strong emotions, which is why the earlier phases of EMDR focus so heavily on preparation and safety. As your therapist, I’m here to guide you through the process, offering support and adjustments to ensure the work feels manageable. I will check in frequently about your level of comfort and safety.
If you ever feel overwhelmed or uncertain during a session, we’ll pause and revisit the tools and resources built in Phase 2. The pace of EMDR is always tailored to your comfort and readiness, ensuring that you feel in control and safe every step of the way.
EMDR Therapy with Brea Giancaterino in Denver, Colorado
Healing from trauma can feel daunting, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. As a trauma therapist with years of experience supporting individuals impacted by childhood trauma, I understand the complexities of this journey. Although EMDR is a structured therapy, I encourage you to advocate for what you need in session and that may change week to week. Regardless of where you are, I’m here to support you and increase your feelings of safety in the therapeutic relationship.
At my private practice in Denver, I offer a safe, compassionate space where you can explore your past, reconnect with yourself, and create lasting change. EMDR therapy is a powerful tool to help you process unresolved pain and build a future that feels free and fulfilling.
Whether you’re struggling with self-doubt, people-pleasing, emotional overwhelm, or other impacts of trauma, I’m here to help you find clarity and peace. Together, we’ll work to unburden the weight of the past and move toward the life you deserve.
If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d love to hear from you. Schedule a free 15 minute consultation!
Learn more about EMDR therapy here.
If you are interested in accelerated healing, check out my EMDR therapy intensive!
