Therapist Demo Program

In phase one, the clinician will take a thorough history of the client and together develop a treatment plan. The history will include a discussion of the client’s specific problems, his/her behaviors stemming from those problems, and his/her symptoms. With this newfound information, the clinician will work with the client to define the specific targets on which to use EMDR.

These targets typically include:

• Past events that created the problems

• Present situations that are distressing

• Key skills or behaviors the client needs to learn for his/her future well-being

It’s recommended to encourage clients to wear TouchPoints from the very start of phase one. As recall of these past events can lead to both cognitive and physiological distress, TouchPoints can help by reducing stress throughout this phase. In particular, since TouchPoints specifically reduce physiological distress, adaptive information processing (AIP) models predict that the absence of physiological distress will more easily lead to the resolution of cognitive distress. Also, by keeping the physiological distress minimal going into the reprocessing phases, this can significantly shorten treatment time.

Phase two is when the clinician will explain the overall EMDR process, including how it is performed and what the client may expect during and after treatment. Additionally, phase two is when the clinician will teach the client several relaxation techniques that the client may use to calm him/herself in the setting of any emotional disturbance that may arise during EMDR. The primary goal of this phase is to establish a trusting therapeutic relationship. TouchPoints may be used during this phase to reduce the stress associated with the EMDR process, and thus facilitate the clinician-client relationship. It also helps to instill confidence when teaching calming techniques to a patient.

Phases 3-6: Reprocessing Phases – These phases will be repeated systematically multiple times on each target to fully integrate those memories that are causing distressing symptoms.

During phase three, each target is accesses systematically. The clinician identifies aspects of the target to be processed. First, the client chooses and rates a specific scene or picture from the target that best represents the memory. Then, the client chooses a statement that expresses a negative self-belief associated with the event. After, the client then picks and rates a positive self-statement that he/she would rather believe and which he/she will hope to replace the current negative self-belief. If TouchPoints have been used in phases one and two, the patient’s level of physiological distress should typically be quite low compared to their cognitive distress. (It’s important to remember that, if TouchPoints have been used during this assessment phase, then they need to be applied before the body scan phase (phase six to come), as well, for sake of continuity.)

Phases 3-6: Reprocessing Phases – These phases will be repeated systematically multiple times on each target to fully integrate those memories that are causing distressing symptoms.

In phase four, the clinician will lead the client in sets of eye movements with appropriate shifts and changes of focus until the subjective rating of distressing emotions associated with the main target is reduced to nothing. Then, the clinician repeats the process for any memories associated with the main target that arises during the session. As a wireless wearable device, TouchPoints can be used outside of the therapy office and EMDR sessions to help accelerate the desensitization process. Note that the client should not be instructed to use TouchPoints to process targets without professional supervision; rather, the client should be encouraged to use TouchPoints in real-time to reduce the stress associated with any triggers.

Phases 3-6: Reprocessing Phases – These phases will be repeated systematically multiple times on each target to fully integrate those memories that are causing distressing symptoms.

The goal of phase five is to concentrate on and increase the strength of the positive belief that the client has identified to replace his/her original negative belief. Again, TouchPoints can be worn here to keep physiological distress minimal which will help increase the patient’s confidence in the new positive belief.

Phases 3-6: Reprocessing Phases – These phases will be repeated systematically multiple times on each target to fully integrate those memories that are causing distressing symptoms.

After the positive cognition has been strengthened and installed, the clinician will ask the client to bring the original target to mind and see if he/she noticed any residual tension in the body. If this is the case, these physical sensations are then targeted for reprocessing. It’s important to note that an EMDR session is not considered successful until the client can bring up the original target without feeling any bodily tension. As discussed above, if TouchPoints have been used in the previous phases one through four, then they will need to be used here again for the sake of continuity.

Phase seven’s goal is for the client to leave the EMDR session feeling better than in the beginning. If processing the target is not complete, the clinician will assist the client in using self-calming techniques to deal with any residual distressing emotions. Again, TouchPoints may help reduce any residual physiological distress which can facilitate target resolution and perhaps shorten treatment time.

Phase eight opens every new session at the beginning. During the final phase, the clinician checks to ensure that the positive results of the previous sessions have been maintained, identifies any new areas that need treatment, and continues reprocessing the additional targets. If TouchPoints have been used throughout the previous EMDR sessions, then they should be applied during this phase as well to maintain continuity with other sessions as much as possible.