EMDR Phase Eight: Re-Evaluation — Honoring Progress and Deepening Healing

Healing is a deeply personal journey, one that honors the unique experiences, strengths, and aspirations of each individual. Therapy is not just about processing pain—it’s about cultivating self-awareness, self-compassion, and a renewed sense of possibility. Phase Eight of EMDR, Re-Evaluation, beautifully reflects this philosophy.

In this phase, we take a step back to assess the progress made, explore what remains unresolved, and ensure the work aligns with the client’s broader goals for healing. It’s a phase that emphasizes integration, reflection, and forward momentum—an opportunity to celebrate growth while addressing any lingering areas of need.

Phase Eight: Re-Evaluation — A Moment to Reflect, Refine, and Reaffirm

Re-Evaluation is typically revisited at the beginning of each new session, but it’s also the culmination of a client’s work on a specific memory or target. This phase allows us to revisit processed memories to confirm that positive changes have held over time and to identify any residual emotional or cognitive distress.

For me, Re-Evaluation is a phase of curiosity and collaboration. It’s where we listen to the client’s inner wisdom, reflect on their journey, and map out the next steps in their healing.

What Happens During the Re-Evaluation Phase?

Here’s what this essential phase often entails:

1. Checking in on the Target Memory

We start by revisiting the memory or target that was processed in previous sessions. I might ask the client:

• “When you think about that memory now, what comes up for you?”

• “Does it feel different from how you remembered it before?”

The goal is to assess how the memory feels now. Ideally, the emotional distress associated with the memory has diminished, and the positive belief installed during earlier phases feels solid and true.

If any lingering distress or negative beliefs remain, we approach this with compassion and curiosity. It’s not a setback—it’s part of the natural rhythm of healing.

2. Evaluating Positive Beliefs

In Re-Evaluation, we also revisit the positive belief that was installed during Phase Five. How strongly does the client feel that belief now? Has it become more integrated into their daily life?

For example, if the positive belief was “I am worthy of love,” I might explore how this belief has influenced their self-perception, relationships, or choices since our last session.

This isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about understanding how the work resonates with the client’s lived experience.

3. Exploring Residual Triggers

Even when a specific memory feels resolved, related triggers or themes might emerge. For instance, a client who processed a childhood memory of rejection might find that other memories or situations tied to rejection still carry emotional weight.

In Re-Evaluation, we honor these discoveries as opportunities for deeper healing. These residual triggers guide our next steps, helping us prioritize future targets for processing.

4. Assessing the Client’s Broader Well-Being

This phase is also about stepping back to view the bigger picture. Beyond the specific memory we’ve worked on, how is the client feeling overall? Are they noticing shifts in their mood, behavior, or relationships? Are there areas where they feel stuck or uncertain?

As a humanistic therapist, I see this as a chance to connect the dots between the client’s trauma work and their personal growth. It’s a reminder that therapy isn’t just about resolving the past—it’s about empowering the client to live more fully in the present.

The Therapist’s Role in Re-Evaluation

During this phase, my role is to create a space of nonjudgmental reflection and support. I approach each client’s journey with genuine curiosity, knowing that healing doesn’t always follow a linear path.

If the memory feels resolved, we celebrate that progress together. If it feels incomplete, we collaborate on how to move forward—whether that means revisiting the memory in future sessions, addressing related triggers, or exploring other aspects of the client’s story.

I also use this phase to check in on the client’s resources and coping strategies. Are they feeling supported between sessions? Are there additional tools or techniques that might help them navigate their healing journey?

What Clients Can Expect from Re-Evaluation

Re-Evaluation is often an empowering phase for clients. It’s a chance to see how far they’ve come and to recognize the shifts in their emotions, beliefs, and sense of self. Clients may notice:

• A sense of lightness or neutrality when recalling previously distressing memories.

• Greater confidence in the positive beliefs they’ve cultivated.

• New insights about their patterns, triggers, or growth.

At the same time, clients may also uncover areas that still feel tender or unresolved. This is a natural part of the process, and it’s a reminder that healing is a journey, not a destination.

The Impact of Re-Evaluation on Long-Term Healing

Re-Evaluation is more than a check-in—it’s a bridge between past work and future growth. By revisiting memories, exploring triggers, and affirming positive changes, this phase helps clients integrate their healing into their daily lives.

It’s also a powerful reminder that their voice matters in the therapy process. Together, we shape the path forward, ensuring that the work we do feels meaningful, relevant, and aligned with their goals.

In Conclusion: Re-Evaluation as a Celebration of Growth

For me, as a humanistic therapist, Re-Evaluation is a deeply affirming phase. It’s a space where clients can honor their progress, acknowledge their resilience, and take ownership of their healing journey.

Whether we’re celebrating the resolution of a painful memory or identifying the next step in the process, Re-Evaluation is a testament to the client’s courage and capacity for growth. It’s a phase that embodies the heart of humanistic therapy: the belief that every person has the wisdom and strength to heal, grow, and thrive.

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