What to Expect During Phase 5 and 6 of EMDR Therapy
If you’ve been following along with the EMDR process, you know that each phase builds upon the last. By the time you reach Phase 5 and 6, you’ve done significant work to address and process past traumas. Phase 5 and 6 focus on strengthening positive beliefs and testing how the healing you've achieved in therapy translates into your daily life.
Let’s break these phases down so you know what to expect and why they’re an important part of the process.
Phase 5: Installation – Building Positive Beliefs
Once the distress tied to a memory has been processed in Phase 4, we turn our attention to installing a positive belief that aligns with how you want to feel about yourself. For many people, trauma leaves behind negative core beliefs, like “I’m not safe” or “I’m not enough.” These beliefs can shape how you see yourself and the world, even long after the trauma has passed.
In Phase 5, we work together to address the negative core belief and instill a new positive belief about yourself, such as:
“I am safe now.”
“I am worthy of love and respect.”
“I can trust myself.”
How it works:
Using bilateral stimulation (e.g., eye movements, taps, tones, etc.), we focus on reinforcing this positive belief in connection to the memory. The goal is to strengthen this belief so it feels authentic and deeply rooted—not just something you intellectually understand, but something you genuinely feel.
Why it matters:
Trauma often leaves you stuck in survival mode, unable to fully embrace positive beliefs about yourself or your future. By installing these new beliefs, we help your brain integrate the memory in a way that promotes growth, empowerment, and healing. This process moves beyond simply reducing pain; it’s about actively building the kind of confidence and security that allows you to thrive.
Trauma survivors often struggle to believe positive things about themselves, even when the evidence supports those beliefs. Phase 5 creates a bridge between what you want to feel and what you truly experience, helping those new thoughts become second nature.
Phase 6: Body Scan – Releasing Residual Tension
Trauma isn’t just stored in your mind—it’s stored in your body. Even after processing a memory and installing a positive belief, there can still be physical sensations of tension, discomfort, or unease tied to that memory. Phase 6 addresses this by helping you check in with your body and release any remaining traces of distress.
What happens during a body scan:
We’ll guide you to notice how your body feels when you think about the processed memory and the positive belief you’ve installed. If there’s still any tension, heaviness, or other sensations, we’ll use bilateral stimulation to help release those feelings. The goal is to ensure your body fully reflects the relief and healing you’ve achieved in your mind.
For example, you might notice lingering tightness in your chest, a clenched jaw, or even a sense of unease in your stomach. These sensations are your body’s way of holding onto unresolved stress. Phase 6 allows you to work through these physical symptoms so that healing feels complete—not just in your thoughts, but throughout your entire being.
Why it matters:
The body often holds onto trauma in subtle ways. Many people describe feeling better mentally but still experience physical symptoms like chronic pain, headaches, or a sense of restlessness. Phase 6 ensures that the positive changes you’ve made in therapy extend to your physical well-being. This phase is about achieving alignment—where your body, mind, and emotions all reflect a sense of safety and peace.
What Makes EMDR Phases 5 and 6 Transformative?
Phases 5 and 6 focus on integration and embodiment. It’s not just about reducing the distress of a memory; it’s about replacing it with a sense of strength and safety that you can carry forward into your life. These phases also highlight the connection between your mind and body, ensuring that your healing is felt on every level.
By the time you complete these phases, many clients report:
Feeling more confident in their ability to handle challenges.
A noticeable reduction in physical symptoms like tension or fatigue.
A deeper sense of connection to themselves and their relationships.
It’s also common to feel a stronger sense of self-compassion. Trauma often teaches you to disconnect from yourself or blame yourself for what happened. Phases 5 and 6 help you rebuild a healthier relationship with yourself, making it easier to trust your instincts and honor your needs.
The Role of Bilateral Stimulation in These Phases
Bilateral stimulation (BLS) continues to play a central role in Phases 5 and 6. While BLS is best known for helping process distressing memories, in these later stages it serves a new purpose: reinforcing positive beliefs and releasing physical tension. Many clients find the process soothing and empowering, as it supports the mind and body in working together toward healing.
How Long Does This Take?
Every person’s journey through EMDR is unique, and the time spent in each phase varies depending on the individual. Some memories may move quickly through Phases 5 and 6, while others might take more time. What matters is that the process unfolds at a pace that feels right for you.
It’s also important to note that healing isn’t linear. You may revisit earlier phases if new layers of a memory emerge or if other traumas surface that need processing. This is completely normal and part of the flexibility of EMDR therapy—it meets you where you are.
Mind-Body Integration: The Key to Lasting Healing
Phases 5 and 6 emphasize the importance of integrating the mind and body. Trauma often fragments these two aspects of ourselves, leaving us feeling disconnected. By addressing both the cognitive and physical impacts of trauma, these phases help create a sense of wholeness and balance.
When the mind and body are in sync, you’re better equipped to face life’s challenges without feeling overwhelmed. This sense of alignment is what makes EMDR therapy so effective—it doesn’t just treat symptoms; it transforms the way you experience yourself and the world.
Healing with Brea Giancaterino in Denver, Colorado
As a trauma therapist, I’ve seen the transformative impact of Phases 5 and 6 firsthand. They’re a reminder that healing isn’t just about reducing pain—it’s about building a life where you feel safe, grounded, and empowered.
In my Denver-based private practice, I provide a supportive and compassionate environment where you can safely explore your past, reconnect with your authentic self, and create meaningful, lasting change. EMDR therapy offers a transformative approach to processing unresolved pain and paving the way for a future that feels free and fulfilling.
I understand that healing looks different for everyone, which is why I go at your pace, ensuring that your specific needs are met every step of the way. Your comfort and sense of safety are always my priority as we navigate this journey together.
Whether you’re navigating self-doubt, people-pleasing, emotional overwhelm, or other effects of trauma, I’m here to help you find clarity, peace, and renewed confidence. Together, we can lighten the weight of the past and move toward the life you truly deserve.
If you’re ready to begin your healing journey, let’s connect!
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