EMDR Phase 2: A Clear Guide to the Preparation Process

You’re exhausted from your trauma showing up out of nowhere — at work, in your relationships, or in the quiet moments when you’re trying to hold it together. You may even worry that your past is getting in the way of the future you want. EMDR can feel like a big step, and it helps to understand what the preparation process actually involves. Phase 2 of EMDR is all about helping you feel informed, grounded, and ready before we begin processing any memories.

Many people feel some relief just learning that EMDR therapy follows a structured process. Instead of jumping straight into trauma memories, EMDR begins with preparation and stabilization so you feel supported and informed before anything emotionally intense happens. This phase gives you time to understand what to expect, build confidence in the process, and develop tools that help you stay grounded throughout treatment.

For some clients, simply knowing that there is a thoughtful preparation phase makes the idea of trauma therapy feel much less intimidating. You are not expected to “power through” difficult memories without support. Phase 2 exists specifically to help you feel ready and to ensure that trauma processing happens in a way that feels manageable and safe.

If you are interested in learning more about how therapists evaluate readiness and stabilization in EMDR treatment, you can explore the Phase 2: Preparation continuing education course here.

setting you up for emdr success

The purpose of Phase 2:  Preparation is to set you up for success with EMDR therapy.  During this phase, you’ll be learning about how EMDR works!  I explain EMDR’s underlying theory, Adaptive Information Processing Model, typical reactions I see with my clients, and most importantly - we make sure you have some calming and grounding tools to use during and in between sessions (if needed). If you’re particularly nervous about EMDR Therapy, we can use the FLASH protocol prior to the standard protocol to bring down the temperature.

A lot of people have questions about what an EMDR session is like - so I go into that as well.  Most importantly, it is the time for you to ask questions and feel fully informed before we move on to actually processing memories.  The most important thing to remember about this phase is that it takes as long as it takes!  We don’t move to the next phase unless and until you feel ready.  

Another important part of preparation is understanding that EMDR does not force memories to come up in any particular way. The brain naturally processes information at the pace it is ready for. My role is to guide the process and help you stay grounded while your mind does the work of integrating experiences that may have felt overwhelming in the past.

Some people also notice that once they begin learning about trauma and the EMDR process, their symptoms start to make more sense. Things like intrusive memories, emotional reactions, or sudden anxiety often feel less confusing when you understand how trauma memories are stored in the brain. This knowledge alone can sometimes bring a sense of relief.

learning how emdr processing works

During the preparation phase, we also spend time talking about how EMDR sessions are structured. Many clients find it helpful to understand what will happen during processing before we actually begin.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — often eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds — to help the brain reprocess distressing memories. While the memory may still be present, the emotional intensity attached to it can gradually decrease as the brain integrates the experience in a new way.

One of the most important things I emphasize during this phase is that you are always in control of the process. EMDR is not hypnosis, and you remain fully aware during the entire session. If something feels uncomfortable or you need to pause, we simply stop and regroup. Understanding how the process works helps many people feel more confident moving forward.

emdr “stop” signal

It is paramount to me that you feel safe. I purposely do not “push” my clients the way some EMDR therapists might. If you feel nervous and feel like you need some more time to prepare, then that’s what we’ll do!

Sometimes the trauma processing starts to feel a little scary. Because of this possibility, you and I decide on a “stop” signal. Most people choose to put their hand up like a stop sign, others choose to use the “time out” gesture.

Another benefit of the stop signal is that it reinforces something very important about EMDR: you are always in control of the process. Trauma can often leave people feeling like control was taken away from them. EMDR is designed to restore that sense of agency by ensuring that you always have the ability to pause, slow down, or ask questions at any time. Honestly, most people don’t ever use the “stop” signal - but I like to make sure people have it ready just in case. Most of the time, just even knowing that you have the option to stop gives you a stronger sense of control that makes you feel more comfortable.

emdr resourcing

A term you might have heard in EMDR is “resourcing.” It’s just another word for coping skill development. A coping skill is something you would do if you needed to take a break, manage anxiety, etc. It can be as simple as going on a walk, smelling a candle or holding ice in your hand if you are feeling panicked.

In EMDR, there are two particular resources I like to make sure you’ve got ready to go. First is a “container.” This might sound a little silly, but I’ve had a few clients tell me it was the best part of EMDR. Basically, the container is an exercise where you build a container in your mind (whatever you want - it can be a safe, a treasure chest, shipping container, toolbox - I could go on and on with all of the containers my clients have come up with). Once we’ve established your container in your imagination, you then picture yourself putting all of the memories or things that are bothering you in this container.

The purpose of the container is to “hold” the memories we are going to be working on in between sessions. During our sessions, we take one memory out at a time and work on them together. You don’t open the container in between sessions - unless something new came up and you are putting something IN the container. Otherwise, the only place we open the container is in our sessions, where I can be there to keep you feeling safe. Most clients report feeling some sort of relief during this exercise and the fact that they don’t have to look at these frightening memories in between sessions also tends to decrease their symptoms in between sessions . . . at least that’s what my clients have told me!

Another exercise that I like to have ready is the “peaceful,” “calm,” “safe,” or “secure” place. You may have done this already before, but in EMDR we just expand and enhance the experience. You’ll be instructed to imagine a place (it can be somewhere you’ve been, or a place that you make up on the spot) where you feel calm, peaceful, hopeful, safe or secure. Together, we develop this place and ensure that this visualization brings a sense of well being. We enhance these feelings with some EMDR techniques so you can reliably bring up this place in your mind and feel a sense of relief and peace.

Those two resources are at minimum what each of my clients have ready to go - it really depends on their unique needs and what I have learned about them from our history taking and treatment planning process (Phase One of EMDR).

why preparation is so important in emdr

Preparation is one of the reasons EMDR can be such an effective trauma treatment. When the nervous system has tools for calming and grounding, it becomes much easier to process difficult memories without feeling overwhelmed.

These preparation strategies help create what therapists call “dual attention.” This means that part of your mind can stay grounded in the present moment while another part briefly revisits past experiences. Maintaining that balance helps trauma memories become less distressing over time.

For some people, preparation may only take a few sessions. For others, especially those with complex trauma histories, preparation may take longer. Both are completely normal. The goal is not to rush through the process but to make sure that when we begin trauma processing, you feel supported and capable of handling what comes up.

Therapists spend a great deal of time learning how to assess this readiness and determine when preparation should continue. If you are curious about how clinicians evaluate these factors in practice, you can learn more in the continuing education course EMDR Phase 2: Preparation, Stabilization, and Readiness for Trauma Processing.

when you know you’re ready for the next phase

Eventually, most clients begin to notice that the preparation exercises start to feel more natural. The container feels easier to use, the calm place becomes more vivid, and grounding tools become familiar. When these resources feel reliable, it is often a good sign that you are ready to begin the next step in EMDR therapy.

Moving into the next phase does not mean you stop using the preparation tools. In fact, these resources often remain an important part of EMDR sessions and can continue to help between sessions as well.

Clinicians who want a deeper understanding of how readiness for trauma processing is evaluated can learn more in the continuing education course EMDR Phase 2: Preparation, Stabilization, and Readiness for Trauma Processing. Many clients feel a sense of relief at this point because they know they have tools to stay grounded if something difficult comes up during processing. Once you and I feel like you are ready to begin the actual experience of processing trauma, we move to Phase Three: Assessment.

If you would like some help putting the past in the past, click here to book a free 15 minute video consultation for online EMDR Therapy and PTSD treatment in California.