How Many EMDR Sessions Do You Need? Here's What To Expect
By: Maria Inoa
Jul 1, 2024
EMDR therapy is not a one-size-fits-all trauma therapy. Factors that can influence the number of sessions required for treatment include how many distressing memories you have, how in touch with the traumatic events you are, and how consistent you are with the EMDR process.
Welcome to your guide, which is all about Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy and how many EMDR sessions you can expect to need. In this guide, we'll dive into the basics of EMDR treatment. We will look at the factors that affect how many EMDR sessions you may need, as well as a breakdown of the 8 phases of EMDR therapy, what each phase entails, and how long each phase takes to complete as part of the healing process. Then, we'll discuss who can and cannot benefit from EMDR sessions. Let's dive in.
Number of EMDR Sessions Required
Typical Duration of EMDR Treatment
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy is not a one-size-fits-all trauma therapy. The goal of EMDR therapy is not to get it done as fast as possible, as that does not work with trauma therapy. The EMDR therapist wants to make sure that the EMDR sessions are delivered as an effective treatment for the client's PTSD symptoms and mental health issues. Conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, complex trauma, and dissociative disorders are delicate, and the EMDR therapist needs to ensure that the client is continuously feeling safe throughout the EMDR process. Factors that can influence the number of sessions required for EMDR treatment include how many distressing memories you have, how in touch with the traumatic events you are, and how consistent you are with the EMDR process.
Related: How To Find a Good EMDR Therpist
Factors Influencing the Number of EMDR Sessions
The first factor to consider in the number of EMDR sessions you may need is that some people have a single trauma they want to address. In contrast, others have many layers of traumatic memories or what is referred to as complex trauma. Those who have more distressing memories can expect more time to be needed to process their traumatic events and complete their treatment plan.
The second factor is that some people think about their traumatic memories a lot while others never, ever go "there." For the second group, it often means the initial phases of EMDR therapy, especially phase 2, will take more time as the EMDR therapist helps the client learn skills to keep their nervous system feeling safe and grounded during the EMDR healing process.
The third factor to consider is the client's commitment to the EMDR process. It takes courage to make the call to get started, as it does to show up to your first session, your second, and so on. Like any form of therapy, EMDR treatment takes time and, therefore, a commitment from the client. It is an investment in yourself. The more consistent the client is with showing up for their EMDR sessions, the faster their treatment plan can be addressed and their distressing memories resolved.
The Process of EMDR Therapy
Phase 1: History and Treatment Planning
The first step of EMDR treatment is getting to know your EMDR therapist and them getting to know you. This can take approximately 1-2 EMDR sessions. The EMDR therapist will discuss what brings you into individual therapy now and get a detailed history starting from childhood. This is because the root causes of our mental health issues are most often found in our early years. It's important to note that when it comes to EMDR treatment, the client does not ever have to go into detail about any of their distressing memories for it to be an effective treatment.
Phase 2: Preparation
The preparation phase is where the EMDR therapist and client continue building rapport. Phase 2 is focused on building coping strategies so that the client can feel strong enough to face their traumatic memories and both the negative feelings and physical sensations that can come up with it. This phase can take various treatment sessions, as mentioned above.
Phase 3: Assessment
During the assessment phase, the client's target memories or traumatic events are identified, and the first target memory is set up for reprocessing. You will also identify the negative belief about yourself associated with the distressing memory and a more positive belief that will be worked into the treatment plan. Phase 3 can take 1-2 EMDR sessions.
Phase 4: Desensitization
The desensitization phase is the heart of EMDR treatment. This is where bilateral stimulation is used to reprocess a traumatic event. Some even refer to EMDR as reprocessing therapy. According to the treatment plan, this phase can take an average of 1-3 EMDR sessions per target memory as according to the treatment plan.
Phase 5: Installation
During this phase of EMDR treatment, the positive belief the client identified earlier will be the focus, as the EMDR therapist wants to ensure that the positive belief is strengthened and "installed" as much as possible. This phase takes 1-2 EMDR sessions.
Phase 6: Body Scan
During the 6th phase of EMDR treatment, a body scan is used to assess what the client feels in his/her body as he/she brings to mind the target memory that has been the focus of the EMDR therapy sessions. The body scan is done to check if there are any unpleasant body sensations that remain that need to be reprocessed before moving on to the next target memory.
Phase 7: Closure
Closure takes place at the end of each EMDR session. Whether the target traumatic event has been resolved or not, the EMDR therapist always ensures that the client feels calm in their body before wrapping up the session by utilizing one or more coping strategies.
Phase 8: Reevaluation
Similar to the closure phase, the reevaluation phase takes place every EMDR session but at the beginning. This is where the EMDR therapist checks in on the target memory to see what progress has taken place and whether it's time to move to reprocessing the next traumatic memory.
It's important to note that EMDR trauma therapy addresses the past, present, and future. In addition to the 8 phases of EMDR therapy listed above that address both present concerns and past events, there is a future template used by the EMDR therapist to ensure that the client is set up for success down the road. This can take 1-2 treatment sessions and helps to wrap up the EMDR process in a positive way.
Who can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?
Most people can benefit from Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy. It can be helpful for those with trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, complex PTSD, anxiety, depression, phobias, chronic pain, grief and loss, panic disorder, substance abuse, and much more.
It is not recommended for women who are pregnant, people with eye issues, and neurological concerns, to name a few.
Final Thoughts on EMDR Therapy Session Frequency and Duration
As we conclude this guide on how many EMDR sessions you may need and the length of treatment to expect, I hope it has brought you much clarity on what to expect if you are thinking about seeking EMDR treatment. In the guide, we discussed factors that influence the duration of EMDR treatment as it pertains to individual needs. We then took a look at each of the 8 phases of EMDR therapy to break down the average number of therapy sessions each phase takes to complete. Lastly, we talked about who can benefit from EMDR treatment and who may not benefit. Thank you so much for reading this guide, and please check out my other ones, which will continue to help you gain a better understanding of EMDR treatment and EMDR therapy sessions.
