EMDR Preparation

History and goals

Psychoeducation on trauma

Psychoeducation on EMDR Therapy

Neurobiology basics

Window of tolerance

Dissociation scale

Stop signal

Target Selection

Common List of Problematic Beliefs

(Negative Cognitions)

Responsibility

I should have known better.

I should have done something.

I did something wrong.

I am to blame.

I cannot be trusted.

Safety

I cannot trust myself.

I cannot trust anyone.

I am in danger.

I am not safe.

I cannot show my emotions.

Choice

I am not in control.

I have to be perfect/please everyone.

I am weak

I am trapped.

I have no options.

Power

I cannot get what I want.

I cannot handle it/stand it.

I cannot succeed.

I cannot stand up for myself.

I cannot let it out.

I am powerless/helpless.

Value

I am a bad person/I am terrible.

I am permanently damaged.

I am defective.

I am worthless/inadequate.

I am insignificant.

I am not important.

I deserve to die.

I deserve only bad things.

I am stupid.

I do not belong.

I am different.

I am a failure.

I am ugly.

My body is ugly.

I am alone.

Existing adaptive coping skills and resources (internal and/or external)

Emotion Sensation Wheel

Bilateral stimulation demonstration and selection

Guided visualizations or Grounding Techniques

Stabilization

Resourcing

Grounding Exercises

Multi-sensory Grounding Exercise

Grounding Tree

Mountain Pose

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Body Scan

Painting Light

Mindfulness of Feeling Tone

Breath Awareness

Belly Breathing

Three-Part Breath

Ocean-Sounding Victory Breath (Ujjayi Breathing)

Lion Breathing

Alternate Nostril Breathing

Energetic Massage

Noodling

Living Kindness Meditation

Walking Meditation

Protector Figures

Circle of Figures

Guided Visualizations

Light Stream

Calm/Safe Space

Container