Phase Five of EMDR: Installation

My approach is always grounded in the belief that healing comes from within—through self-awareness, self-compassion, and the courage to face one's past. When I incorporate Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) into my practice, I see first-hand how transformative it can be in helping clients process and reframe their traumatic experiences.

By the time clients reach Phase Five of EMDR, they’ve already done some heavy emotional lifting. In Phase Four (Desensitization), we worked to reduce the emotional charge tied to distressing memories, helping clients shift from feeling overwhelmed by their trauma to remembering the event with far less emotional intensity. Now, in Phase Five, we shift focus toward installation—the process of strengthening the positive beliefs that the client wants to hold in relation to the memory.

In this blog, I’ll explore the significance of the Installation phase, how it empowers clients to replace self-limiting beliefs with more adaptive ones, and why it’s so crucial for achieving lasting healing.

Phase Five: Installation — Strengthening Positive Beliefs and Shifting Core Self-Perceptions

By now, the client has already reduced the distress surrounding a traumatic memory in Phase Four, and they’ve experienced a shift in how they perceive the past. But this phase, Installation, is about reinforcing a new positive self-belief or adaptive cognition that the client can embrace moving forward. This belief is the antidote to the negative self-belief that was formed as a result of the trauma.

During Phase Five, we don’t just aim to reduce the emotional charge; we actively reinforce the new, healthier beliefs that allow clients to move forward with more empowerment and self-worth.

What Happens During the Installation Phase?

In Phase Five, the client is invited to focus on the positive belief they identified earlier in Phase Three (Assessment). These positive beliefs serve as an internal resource to counteract the negative beliefs that the trauma has instilled. For example, if the negative belief was “I am unworthy of love” or “I am powerless,” the positive belief might be “I am worthy of love” or “I am in control of my life.”

Here’s a breakdown of how the Installation phase works:

1. Recalling the Positive Belief

The process begins with the client focusing on the positive belief they want to strengthen. This belief should be realistic and meaningful—something that the client feels is aligned with their true potential. The belief may not feel fully true at this stage, but the aim is for it to feel possible and within reach.

For example, a client who once believed “I am powerless” might choose the positive belief “I am in control of my choices.” This belief, while not necessarily felt as true at first, is one that they can start to grow into over time.

2. Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) to Reinforce the Positive Belief

Once the client is focused on the positive belief, bilateral stimulation (BLS) is used to help reinforce that belief. BLS might involve eye movements, auditory tones, or tactile tapping, with the goal of activating both hemispheres of the brain. This process helps the brain integrate the positive belief more deeply and make it feel more accessible to the client.

During this stage, the client may notice shifts in their internal experience. For example, the positive belief may start to feel more aligned with their sense of self. They might experience a feeling of comfort or resilience when they think about this new belief.

3. Testing the Positive Belief

Once the positive belief has been installed with the help of BLS, the client is asked to rate on a 1-to-7 scale how true the positive belief feels in relation to the target memory. A score of 1 would indicate that the positive belief feels completely untrue, while a score of 7 would indicate that it feels fully true.

The goal is to move the rating to a 6 or 7, meaning the client feels at least mostly in agreement with the new positive belief. This doesn’t mean that the client will always feel this way, but it does indicate that the belief is beginning to take hold in a way that feels more authentic and empowering.

4. Reinforcing the Positive Belief with Sensory Experiences

In some cases, the therapist might also guide the client to anchor the positive belief in their body and their physical sensations. This could involve asking the client to notice how their body feels when they hold the positive belief. Does their chest feel open and strong? Does their posture shift in a more confident way? This helps integrate the positive belief on a somatic level, ensuring that it’s not just an intellectual understanding but an embodied experience.

5. Strengthening the New Belief Over Time

As we continue to process memories in EMDR, the positive belief becomes stronger and more embedded in the client’s overall sense of self. The Installation phase is not a one-time event—it’s the beginning of an ongoing reinforcement of this new self-concept. Over time, as the client works through more memories and continues to use EMDR, the positive belief will naturally become more integrated into their sense of identity.

The Impact of Installation on Trauma Healing

The installation of positive beliefs during this phase is a crucial step in the healing journey. For many clients, trauma has led to deeply ingrained negative self-beliefs—such as feelings of worthlessness, shame, or powerlessness. These beliefs are often automatic and unconscious, shaping how the client views themselves and the world.

By introducing and reinforcing positive beliefs, the Installation phase helps rebuild the client's self-worth and sense of agency. The process shifts the narrative from one of victimhood to one of empowerment. Clients begin to relate to their memories not as defining events that control their lives, but as part of their past that no longer defines their present or future.

The Therapist’s Role in Installation

As the therapist, my job during the Installation phase is to ensure that the client feels supported and safe as they embrace these new, more adaptive beliefs. I help create a space of validation for the positive belief and encourage the client to stay open to it, even if it doesn’t feel fully true yet.

It’s also important to check in regularly with the client about how the belief is taking hold. If the client continues to struggle with the positive belief, I may offer additional techniques or resources to help reinforce it. We might revisit earlier phases of EMDR to work through any remaining distress, or we might pause the Installation process until the client feels more solid in the positive belief.

What Clients Can Expect During the Installation Phase

Clients may experience a variety of emotional and physical shifts as the positive belief takes root. Some clients may feel a profound sense of relief or empowerment, as though a weight has been lifted from their shoulders. Others may experience more subtle shifts, such as a greater sense of calm, clarity, or confidence in their ability to handle future challenges.

Importantly, Phase Five offers a sense of hope. It’s where clients move beyond simply surviving their trauma to embracing a new sense of possibility and self-compassion. The negative beliefs that once dominated their internal dialogue are gradually replaced by a healthier, more supportive inner voice.

In Conclusion: Installation as the Path to True Healing

Phase Five of EMDR—Installation—is a transformative moment in the therapy process. It’s the phase where we move beyond desensitizing traumatic memories to strengthening the positive, adaptive beliefs that will support long-term healing. By helping clients embrace beliefs of worth, agency, and strength, we empower them to leave behind the trauma-driven self-concept and embrace a new, more resilient identity.

For me, as a humanistic therapist, the Installation phase is deeply fulfilling. It’s where clients begin to take ownership of their healing journey, step into their personal power, and recognize that they are more than the sum of their past experiences. Installation doesn’t just change how they see their memories—it transforms how they see themselves and their capacity for growth.

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 6!

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.