Working with Phase Three of EMDR: Assessment
As a humanistic therapist, I’m always mindful that the path to healing isn’t linear. Trauma, by its very nature, can disrupt our emotional equilibrium, leaving us with fragmented memories, negative self-beliefs, and a deep sense of distress. That’s why Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is such a transformative tool in helping clients reconnect with their inner strength and resilience.
While we’ve already explored Phase One (history-taking) and Phase Two (preparation and stabilization), Phase Three of EMDR—the Assessment phase—is where we start to zero in on the actual memories and experiences that we will work through in later stages. It’s a pivotal moment in the EMDR process where we begin to define the target memories, and the client prepares to start confronting the trauma with the support and resources we’ve built in earlier phases.
In this blog, I’ll break down what Phase Three involves, why it's so crucial to the healing journey, and how it sets the stage for the transformation that will unfold in the next phases of EMDR.
Phase Three: Assessment — Identifying Target Memories and Key Negative Beliefs
At the heart of the Assessment phase is the process of identifying specific traumatic memories that we will target for reprocessing. These memories are often the ones that have left a lasting emotional mark on the client—whether they are related to an isolated traumatic event or a series of ongoing distressing experiences. The goal is to begin mapping out the specific memories and beliefs that will be worked on throughout the EMDR process.
In my work with clients, I take great care in ensuring that they feel emotionally prepared and safe as we begin this phase. The earlier preparation we did in Phase Two (such as building emotional regulation tools and a sense of safety) is now essential because the client is about to revisit painful memories in a safe and structured way.
1. Target Memory Selection
In Phase Three, I work with the client to identify the most distressing memory or memories that we will process first. This doesn’t necessarily mean we tackle the most intense memory immediately, but it does mean that we begin with the memory that seems to be holding the most emotional weight in the present moment.
We don’t rehash every detail of the memory right away, but we do begin to gently bring it to the surface. The client is asked to identify a specific image or moment from the traumatic experience that stands out. For instance, if the trauma is related to a car accident, the client might identify the exact moment of impact or the specific feeling of helplessness they experienced.
The memory itself becomes the “target” for processing, and we begin to ask questions that can help us gain more clarity on the emotional charge tied to the memory. These can include:
What is the worst part of the memory?
How does it make you feel now?
What physical sensations arise when you think about it?
What negative belief about yourself arises from this memory?
2. Negative Beliefs: Identifying the Inner Script
A key part of the Assessment phase is to uncover the negative self-belief that is associated with the trauma. Many clients come into EMDR therapy carrying deeply ingrained beliefs about themselves that were shaped by traumatic experiences. These beliefs often reinforce feelings of shame, guilt, powerlessness, or unworthiness.
In Phase Three, we begin to ask questions that help uncover these negative beliefs. For example:
After the traumatic event, what did you start believing about yourself?
Do you feel unlovable, unsafe, or inadequate because of this memory?
What belief about yourself seems to be tied to the distressing emotion in this memory?
For example, a client who has experienced abandonment might have a negative belief like “I am unworthy of love” or “I am invisible.” These beliefs, often formed in response to trauma, can become a lens through which the client views themselves and the world.
The negative belief is then rated on a scale of 1 to 7 (with 1 being “not true at all” and 7 being “completely true”) to measure how strongly the client connects with this belief in relation to the target memory. This rating helps us assess the depth of the trauma and the emotional charge attached to the memory.
3. Positive Beliefs: The New Internal Script
One of the most empowering parts of Phase Three is identifying the positive belief that the client would like to embrace as a counterpoint to the negative one. The purpose of EMDR is not just to desensitize the emotional charge of traumatic memories but also to help the client replace self-limiting beliefs with positive, adaptive ones.
For example, if the negative belief is “I am unworthy of love,” the new positive belief could be “I am worthy of love and respect.” The positive belief is chosen collaboratively with the client and is always intended to be something that feels possible and realistic. This belief will be reinforced throughout the reprocessing stages in EMDR.
Again, we rate the positive belief on a scale of 1 to 7, just as we did with the negative belief, to assess how true the client feels the positive belief is in relation to the target memory. This helps us gauge how much work remains to be done in helping the client internalize this positive belief during the processing phase.
4. The Emotional and Physical Response
In addition to identifying the memory and beliefs, we also assess the client’s emotional and physical reactions when they focus on the target memory. This helps gauge the level of distress tied to the memory and creates a baseline for measuring progress in the following phases.
The client is asked to rate the distress they feel when thinking about the memory on a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 being no distress and 10 being the highest possible level of distress. This Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) score gives us an idea of how much emotional charge is present and allows us to monitor progress as we move through the reprocessing stages.
We also check in with the client about any physical sensations that arise when they recall the memory. Traumatic memories are often stored in the body, and physical responses like tightness, sweating, or tension can be a sign of unresolved emotional material. This step helps us tune into how the body holds trauma and guides us in selecting the most effective techniques for processing the memory.
5. Preparing for the Next Phase: Reprocessing
The Assessment phase is not the end of the work—it’s just the beginning of the reprocessing phase. Once we’ve established the target memory, the negative and positive beliefs, and the emotional and physical responses tied to the memory, we are ready to move into Phase Four, where we will begin the actual reprocessing of the memory.
The Assessment phase helps us set the stage for reprocessing by ensuring that we have a clear understanding of the target memory, the beliefs that need to be shifted, and the emotional and physical responses that need to be addressed.
The Role of the Therapist in Phase Three
As a therapist, my role in the Assessment phase is to guide the client gently and respectfully through the process of identifying the memory, the beliefs, and the emotional experiences tied to it. This phase requires a delicate balance of active listening, empathy, and validation. I also help the client stay grounded, using the tools we’ve developed in Phase Two, to ensure they don’t feel overwhelmed as we approach potentially difficult memories.
I also work with the client to assess how ready they feel to begin reprocessing the trauma. If they feel any resistance or anxiety, we can take additional steps to reinforce their emotional regulation tools and ensure that they feel as prepared as possible to move forward.
In Conclusion: Laying the Groundwork for Trauma Healing
Phase Three of EMDR—the Assessment phase—is where we begin to lay the groundwork for the actual reprocessing of trauma. It’s a crucial step that ensures we are targeting the right memories, uncovering the core negative beliefs tied to the trauma, and preparing the client for the work ahead. It’s also an opportunity to reinforce the sense of safety and support that will carry the client through the more intense phases of trauma processing.
For me, as a humanistic therapist, the Assessment phase is an essential part of the healing process. It helps ensure that we’re moving forward with clarity and intention, creating the emotional and psychological conditions for the client to heal. This phase is not just about identifying trauma—it’s about empowering the client to face their past with courage and confidence, knowing that they have the resources to reprocess and transform it.
Interested in finding out how EMDR can help? Get in touch!
Want to find out more about EMDR?
Want to find out what’s next? Check out Phase 4!
References:
Shapiro, F. (2017). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: An Integrated Approach to Treatment. Guilford Press.
Solomon, R. M., & Shapiro, F. (2008). EMDR and the Adaptive Information Processing model: Integration of EMDR with other therapeutic modalities. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64(7), 848–858.
