What to Expect During Phases 7 and 8 of EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy is a transformative process that helps individuals heal from past trauma by addressing all parts of distressing experiences (mental, emotional, physical, etc.). By the time you reach Phases 7 and 8, you’ve worked through earlier stages of EMDR, possibly including identifying and processing distressing memories, reinforcing positive beliefs, and releasing residual tension in the body.

Phases 7 and 8 focus on integration and maintenance. These stages are about solidifying your progress, bringing closure to the EMDR process, and preparing for long-term success Let’s explore these final phases in more detail.

Phase 7: Closure – Bringing the Session to a Safe Close

Phase 7 is about ensuring you leave each session feeling grounded, safe, and stable. Trauma therapy can bring up intense emotions, and while many people report feeling lighter after processing a memory, it’s not uncommon for processing to continue after session in which some emotions linger as your mind and body continue to integrate the work. Closure helps you transition from the therapeutic space back into your everyday life.

What Happens During Closure?

Your therapist will guide you through techniques to help you re-center and ground yourself if needed. These might include:

• Breathing Exercises: Focused breathing can calm your nervous system and bring you back to the present moment.

• Guided Imagery: Visualizing a safe, calming place helps create a sense of security.

• Body Scans: Checking in with your body helps identify and release any lingering tension.

• Journaling or Reflecting: Taking note of insights or emotions from the session can help you process and carry the work forward.

The techniques used during closure are typically identified before this phase, so we know what works best for you. Closure isn’t just about ending the session—it’s about ensuring you leave therapy feeling supported and empowered to carry the progress into your day-to-day life.

Why Closure Matters

Without proper closure, you might leave a session feeling emotionally raw or overwhelmed. Trauma work can open up deep layers of vulnerability, and we want to do everything we can to bring a sense of safety and security to your mind and body before going back to your day to day life. This phase ensures that you’re equipped with tools to handle emotions or insights that might arise between sessions.

Closure also reinforces the therapeutic relationship by ensuring you feel cared for and safe throughout the process (which is one of the most important parts of the therapeutic process). 

Phase 8: Reevaluation – Tracking Your Progress Over Time

Phase 8 happens at the start of subsequent sessions and toward the end of the EMDR process as a whole. This phase focuses on evaluating how the work you’ve done is showing up in your life and determining if additional areas need attention.

What Happens During Reevaluation?

During this phase, your therapist will:

• Check in on Target Memories: Are the memories you’ve processed still resolved, or do they bring up any lingering distress?

• Reflect on Positive Beliefs: How are the positive beliefs you installed showing up in your daily life? Are they influencing your relationships, confidence, or sense of safety?

• Identify New Layers or Triggers: Has any new distress surfaced? Are there additional memories or experiences that need to be addressed?

Reevaluation is about ensuring the progress you’ve made in therapy feels complete. It’s also a time to celebrate your growth and refine the work if necessary.

Why Reevaluation Matters

Trauma is often layered, and while one memory may feel resolved, others might arise as you continue healing. Reevaluation allows you to address these new layers without feeling like you’re starting over. It also gives you an opportunity to track your progress and see how the work you’ve done is impacting your life.

This phase highlights that healing is an ongoing journey, not a one-size-fits-all process. It’s about creating a solid foundation for long-term emotional well-being.

How Phases 7 and 8 Foster Long-Term Healing

Phases 7 and 8 focus on integration. Healing from trauma isn’t just about resolving individual memories—it’s about creating a new way of relating to yourself and the world. These final phases help you solidify the progress you’ve made and build the skills needed to navigate challenges in the future.

Here’s how these phases contribute to long-term healing:

1. Emotional Regulation:
   Closure techniques teach you how to self-soothe and ground yourself, skills that you can use outside of therapy whenever you feel triggered or overwhelmed.

2. Building Confidence:
   Reevaluation allows you to see how far you’ve come. Recognizing your progress builds trust in your ability to face challenges and continue healing.

3. Strengthening Positive Beliefs:
   Reinforcing the positive beliefs installed during earlier phases ensures they become second nature, helping you approach life with greater confidence and self-worth.

4. Addressing New Layers:
   Trauma isn’t always linear, and new memories or triggers may surface as you heal. Reevaluation provides space to address these layers without feeling like you’re starting over.

5. Celebrating Progress:
   Taking time to acknowledge your wins, no matter how small, helps build momentum and motivation to keep moving forward.

Practical Tips for Navigating Phases 7 and 8

As you move through these final phases, here are a few tips to make the most of your healing journey:

1. Practice Grounding Techniques Regularly:
   The techniques used during closure aren’t just for therapy sessions—they’re tools you can use anytime. Experiment with these tools outside of session, whether it’s deep breathing, visualization, or mindfulness exercises.

2. Reflect on Your Growth:
   Keep a journal or note of the changes you’ve noticed in your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. This can help you see how far you’ve come and identify areas where you’d like to grow further.

3. Be Open to New Insights:
   Healing often reveals new layers of understanding about yourself and your experiences. Stay curious and compassionate as you explore these insights during reevaluation.

4. Celebrate Small Wins:
   No matter how small they might feel, celebrate the progress you’ve made. Healing from trauma is hard work, and every step is worth acknowledging.

5. Communicate with Your Therapist:
   If you’re feeling stuck or uncertain, talk to your therapist. Honesty with your therapist is so important. They can help you navigate any challenges and ensure you feel supported throughout the process.

When Is EMDR Therapy Complete?

One of the questions clients often ask is, “How will I know when I’m done with EMDR?” The answer varies for everyone. Therapy may feel complete when:

• The target memories you’ve processed no longer bring up distress.

• You feel confident in your ability to manage triggers and regulate your emotions.

• The positive beliefs you’ve installed feel natural and integrated into your daily life.

For some, EMDR may be a shorter-term process focused on specific memories. For others, it may be part of a longer therapeutic journey addressing multiple layers of trauma. Your therapist will collaborate with you to determine when you’ve reached a place of resolution that feels right for you.

EMDR Therapy with Brea Giancaterino in Denver, Colorado

As a trauma therapist, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of EMDR therapy, including the deep integration and resilience built during Phases 7 and 8. These final stages are about more than resolving trauma—they’re about creating a life where you feel safe, grounded, and empowered.

If you’re ready to explore how EMDR can help you heal and grow, I’d love to support you on your journey. 

Contact me today to schedule a consultation and take the next step toward the life you deserve!