Client name ______________________ Therapist name ______________________ Date ______________

EMDR Reprocessing Script

Phase 3: Assessment

Target: (The incident chosen to be the focus of reprocessing—the memory that is referred to
as the original target)

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Image: “When you bring up that memory, what image represents the worst part?”

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Negative Cognition: “What words go best with that picture that express your negative belief
about yourself now?”

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Positive Cognition: “When you bring up that picture, what would you like to believe about
yourself instead?”

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Validity of Cognition (VOC): “When you think of that picture, how true do those words
(repeat the positive cognition above) feel to you now on a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 feels
completely false and 7 feels completely true?”

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Emotion: “When you bring up that picture and those words (negative cognition above),
what emotion do you feel now?”

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SUD: “On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is no disturbance or neutral and 10 is the highest
disturbance you can imagine, how disturbing does the memory feel to you now?”

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Location of Body Sensation: “Where do you feel it in your body?”

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Continue to the next page…

Client name ______________________ Therapist name ______________________ Date ______________

Phase 4: Desensitization

“I’d like you to bring up that picture, those negative words (repeat the negative cognition),
and notice where you are feeling it in your body—and follow my fingers.” (DAS generally 20
or more passes/customized to need of client.)

A. Reprocessing
B. Back to target
C. Check SUD

“On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is no disturbance or neutral and 10 is the highest

disturbance you can imagine, how disturbing does the memory feel to you now?”
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Phase 5: Installation

Linking the desired Positive Cognition with the original memory/picture:

1. “Do the words (repeat the PC) still fit, or is there another positive statement you feel
would be more suitable?”
2. “Think about the memory and those words (repeat the selected PC). From 1,
completely false, to 7, completely true, how true do they feel?”

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3. “Hold them together. Those words________ and that memory. ” Do DAS.

4. “On a scale of 1 to 7, how true do the words (PC) ________ feel to you now?”
5. Continue installation as long as the material is becoming more adaptive.
6. Continue sets of DAS until the VOC no longer strengthens. Once the VOC=7 (or
ecological), go to Phase 6: Body Scan.
7. If client reports a 6 or less, check appropriateness and address blocking belief (if
necessary) with additional sets of DAS. (Note: If running out of time, set aside the
blocking belief to be addressed at a later time and proceed to closure for
incomplete session.)

Phase 6: Body Scan

“Close your eyes and keep in mind the original memory and the words (repeat the selected
Positive Cognition). Then bring your attention to the different parts of your body, starting
with your head, and working downward. Any place you find any tension, tightness or
unusual sensation, tell me.”

If any sensation is reported, do DAS. If there is a positive/comfortable sensation, do DAS to

strengthen the positive feeling. If a sensation of discomfort is reported, reprocess until
discomfort subsides.
Client name ______________________ Therapist name ______________________ Date ______________

After a clear Body Scan: “Is there a gesture or movement that would help you connect with
that feeling of ________________ (name the PC or new positive feeling)?”

Phase 7: Closure

An unfinished session is one in which a client’s material is still unresolved (i.e., s/he is still
obviously upset; the SUD has not gone down to 0; the VOC has not gone up to 7; you have
not had time to complete the Body Scan). The following is a procedure for closing down an
unfinished session. The purpose is to acknowledge clients for what they have accomplished
and assist them in being present and as stable as possible prior to leaving.

If the session is incomplete:

1. Give the client the reason for stopping. “We are almost out of time and we will need to
stop soon.” Give encouragement and support for the effort made. “You have done some
very good work and I appreciate the effort you have made. What feels like the most
important thing you have learned about yourself or for yourself today?”

2. Do a containment exercise: “I suggest we do a relaxation (or a container) exercise

before we stop. I suggest we _____.” Suggest either a relaxation exercise or a container
exercise. Examples include: Container imagery (put it away in a container until the next
session); Safe/Calm Place; Light Stream; etc.

3. Closure statement: “The processing we have done today may continue after the session.
You may or may not notice new insights, thoughts, memories, or dreams. If so, just notice
what you are experiencing and if you wish you can record it on the Memories & Lies log.
Use the resources we have worked on to help manage any disturbance. We can work on
this material next time. If necessary, you can call me.

If the session is complete:

Closure statement: “The processing we have done today may continue after the session.
You may or may not notice new insights, thoughts, memories, or dreams. If so, just notice
what you are experiencing and if you wish you can record it on the Memories & Lies log.
Use the resources we have worked on to help manage any disturbance. We can work on
this material next time. If necessary, you can call me.

End-of-session SUD: Please make sure and check the SUD at the end of the session. It is an
important measurement for the study.

“Before we finish, Let’s check in one more time on how you are feeling. On a scale of 0 to
10, where 0 is no disturbance or neutral and 10 is the highest disturbance you can imagine,
how disturbing does the memory feel to you now?”

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