EMDR Phase Seven: Closure

I believe healing is a process of deep connection with oneself, a journey of self-awareness and compassion. Each phase of EMDR therapy is designed to guide clients along this path, helping them make sense of their past and move forward with greater peace. By the time we arrive at Phase Seven: Closure, the client has made significant strides, but this phase is essential for bringing each session to a grounded and meaningful conclusion.

Here, I’ll explore the purpose of the Closure phase, how it supports clients in maintaining emotional balance between sessions, and how we handle sessions with both complete and incomplete processing.

Phase Seven: Closure — Finding Balance Between Healing and Integration

Closure in EMDR is about ensuring that, at the end of a session, the client feels as grounded, safe, and balanced as possible—whether we’ve fully resolved the target memory or not. Trauma work can be intense, and this phase gives clients the tools and space to transition back into their daily lives without feeling overwhelmed.

For sessions where processing feels complete, Closure solidifies the work we’ve done. For sessions where processing is still ongoing, Closure ensures that the client can leave feeling calm, supported, and ready to pick up where we left off when we return to the memory in future sessions.

What Happens During the Closure Phase?

Here’s what this important phase often entails:

1. Grounding and Emotional Regulation

Whether processing felt complete or not, the session ends with grounding techniques that bring the client back to the present moment. These might include mindfulness exercises, breathing techniques, or sensory grounding like focusing on the feeling of their feet on the floor.

The goal is to help clients leave the session feeling as calm and centered as possible, reducing any residual emotional activation from the work.

2. Reviewing the Session

Closure often involves reflecting on what was accomplished in the session. For example, if processing was complete, we might discuss how the client experienced shifts in their emotions, beliefs, or body sensations related to the target memory.

If processing was incomplete, I normalize this experience, reminding the client that trauma processing unfolds at its own pace. We’ll revisit the target memory in future sessions, but for now, it’s important to leave it in a manageable place.

3. Using a Container Exercise for Incomplete Processing

For memories or emotions that feel unresolved, we use an exercise called “containerization.” This involves visualizing a safe, secure place—like a box or a vault—where any remaining distress can be symbolically stored until the next session.

The client can “check in” with their container between sessions, ensuring that the unfinished work feels contained rather than overwhelming. This simple exercise helps the client feel more in control of their emotional experience.

4. Affirming Positive Resources

During Closure, we may also revisit the positive resources identified in earlier phases of EMDR. This might involve practicing a calming image, a soothing phrase, or an internal resource like a sense of inner strength. These resources are like emotional anchors, helping clients feel supported as they navigate their healing journey.

Closure for Complete Processing

When processing is complete, the Closure phase solidifies the new, adaptive beliefs and feelings that emerged. The client might reflect on how they now relate to the memory—perhaps noticing a sense of empowerment, neutrality, or even gratitude for their resilience.

This phase celebrates the progress made, creating a sense of hope and possibility for the client as they leave the session.

Closure for Incomplete Processing

It’s not uncommon for processing to feel unfinished at the end of a session. Trauma is layered, and not every session reaches resolution. In these cases, the Closure phase ensures that the client leaves feeling safe and grounded, even if they’re not fully “there” yet.

I often remind clients that healing is a journey, not a race. By using tools like the container exercise and grounding techniques, they can hold space for their emotions without feeling consumed by them.

The Therapist’s Role in Closure

My role during the Closure phase is to provide reassurance and structure, helping clients feel safe and supported regardless of where we are in the process. Whether we’ve completed processing a memory or left it in a container, my focus is on ensuring the client has the tools and emotional balance to navigate the time between sessions.

For clients new to EMDR, this phase can feel unfamiliar at first, but over time, it becomes an empowering part of their healing journey. Closure reinforces the idea that they have agency in their healing and that they can face the intensity of trauma work without

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 8!