An abreaction occurs when a client accesses overwhelming sensations and emotions during reprocessing. An abreaction is considered a normal, potential part of the processing of any given target. It should not be considered mandatory or unnecessary but accepted as a potential effect of client reprocessing of dysfunctional information. The EMDR treatment is not considered to be the cause of the distress, but a natural response to activated neural networks (Shapiro, 2018).

The Adaptive Information Processing (AIP model) is the underlying theoretical model of EMDR therapy. It guides clinical practice, explains psychopathology, and predicts EMDR treatment effects. One of the important premises of the AIP model is that the body has an intrinsic capacity for psychological self-healing. The AIP model hypothesizes that current difficulties are caused by disturbing experiences that are inadequately processed and improperly linked memories that hinder our brain’s ability to process information. The AIP model provides a framework for treatment, understanding development of pathology, making associations, coming to a resolution, and guiding future actions.

The AIP model explains that clients are not biologically broken but rather overwhelmed by past experiences and circumstances. Effective reprocessing of disturbing experiences using EMDR treatment can reduce or eliminate symptoms by accessing neuro-physiological networks that contain adaptive information and allow for a more positive and empowering view of self in relationship to past events. Treatment results and improvement in one’s mental health are posited to be the byproduct of adaptive reprocessing.

When an event has been sufficiently reprocessed, clients remember it but do not experience the old emotions or sensations in the present. Clients are informed by their memories, not controlled by them (Shapiro, 2018).

The affect scan is used when early memories are not accessible to the client (perhaps they took place at an extremely young age) and/or if clients struggle to verbalize their negative thoughts and feelings. It can also be used during reprocessing when a client is stuck in an emotional state, and bilateral stimulation does not help to shift that state. The client notices emotions and sensations in their body and scans back to an earlier time when they felt this way before.

Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) in EMDR Treatment typically means alternating lateral (side-to-side) eye movements and/or alternating auditory or tactile stimulation, which has been shown to enhance information reprocessing (Amano, T., & Toichi, M., 2016; Hase, 2021; Laliotis et al., 2021).

Blocking is when a client has difficulties or obstacles when reprocessing a memory in spite of the use of dual bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tactile or auditory stimuli). Examples of blocking include blocking beliefs, looping, overwhelming sensations, reports of no change despite high disturbance rates, etc.

Blocking beliefs are dysfunctional client perspectives (beliefs) that appear to block reprocessing of traumatic memories effectively. Entrenched blocking beliefs, such as “My needs don’t matter” or “I am permanently damaged,” can interfere with memory reprocessing. They are viewed as maladaptive beliefs that were learned from past life experiences.

Channels of association refer to the various pathways through which a target memory connects to related experiences, sensations, emotions, images, and/or beliefs. These connections might be revealed in consciousness during the reprocessing of EMDR therapy. Reprocessing of these channels is evident when the forms of information (such as images, emotions, thoughts, sounds, sensations, or beliefs) change while the client focuses on the target memory. Some clients experience these shifts through the awareness of related events or a series of insights. Many clients experience different associations between sessions. The clinician should provide appropriate reassurances for the client's comfort when needed but should also aim to let the reprocessing proceed without unnecessary interference (Shapiro, 2018).

Dual attention refers to maintaining two different states of awareness while performing multiple tasks simultaneously. The dual task of moving one's eyes while focusing on a trauma memory has been shown to enhance information reprocessing (Schubert, Lee, & Drummond, 2011).

Dual attention bilateral stimulation is the process of engaging the client in bilateral eye movements, tactile, and/or auditory stimulation while simultaneously concentrating on a specific targeted memory and related associations. This stimulation is thought to activate and enhance the innate information-processing system.

Terminology for this feature of EMDR has changed over the years. Shapiro's 1995 textbook refers to bilateral stimulation; Shapiro’s 2001 book renames it to dual attention stimulation; and Shapiro’s 2018 textbook combines the terms when describing bilateral stimulation.

Eye Movement Desensitization (EMD) is the original form of what later became Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. EMD was developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It was initially designed as a structured protocol to reduce the emotional distress associated with traumatic memories. The key difference between EMD and EMDR is that EMD focuses on reducing distress while EMDR is a more comprehensive approach that integrates adaptive memory reprocessing and broader therapeutic goals. Shapiro expanded EMD into the EMDR therapy model after recognizing that clients not only experienced symptom reduction but also changes in their beliefs and emotional responses related to trauma (Shapiro, 2018).

EMDR treatment is the broad term used to describe the umbrella encompassing EMDR psychotherapy, EMDR treatment protocols, and EMDR derived techniques. They are used in various contexts and treatment settings with diverse populations and are integrative, client-centered, and based on neurobiological principles and established theory. They are rooted in the Adaptive Information Processing model (AIP), which provides the theoretical framework and principles for treatment.

An earlier memory that contributes to a client’s current problem and blocks the reprocessing of other memories. Feeder memories can be identified using direct questioning, floatback, or affect scan, and targeting them can get the processing moving again.

A flashforward refers to a distressing or catastrophic future-oriented thought or image that triggers anxiety, fear, or avoidance. It is an irrational and anticipatory imagined scenario of something bad happening in the future (Logie, R.D.J. & Jongh, A.D., 2014).

An approach used to identify an earlier memory that might be causing current difficulties but is not accessible via direct questioning. The client recalls a recent distressing experience, along with its associated negative beliefs and bodily sensations. Then, they allow their mind to float back to an earlier time when they were in a similar psychological or physiological state. (Young, Zangwill, & Behary, 2002)

The future template is a procedure developed to incorporate client-centered desired and appropriate actions for possible future events. The clinician and client work together to envision how the client would ideally perceive, feel, act, and think as they move forward in a possible future situation. A positive future template for various social situations can be integrated to address any client's deficits or needs, such as assertiveness, boundary setting, etc. Imagining positive outcomes appears to facilitate the learning process.

For instance, after a trigger has been effectively reprocessed and adequate education provided, the clinician instructs the client: “I’d like you to imagine yourself coping effectively with a similar situation in the future. With the new positive belief [ ] and a feeling of [ ] (e.g., calm, confidence), imagine stepping into this scene. Notice how you handle the situation and what you’re thinking, feeling, and experiencing in your body.” After a pause, the clinician asks, “What are you noticing?”

Initially called Cognitive Interweaves by Francine Shapiro. Interweaves are an EMDR proactive strategy designed to assist clients who appear blocked or unable to access adaptive information during EMDR reprocessing. These clients frequently experience cognitive and emotional loops that do not respond well to simpler EMDR interventions, such as changes of bilateral stimulation or speed. Clinicians might find that clients with complicated presentations require more interweaves. However, any client may run into blocks that could be reprocessed through interweaves.

Interweaves are therapist-initiated interventions used to jump-start reprocessing by introducing specific brief statements, questions, or instructions that elicit adaptive thoughts, actions, emotions, and/or imagery. These structured brief inputs aim to unblock reprocessing and facilitate linkage to adaptive information. They are client-centered, only used when necessary to overcome stuck points, and supportive to guide the client without interrupting the natural flow of adaptive reprocessing.

Looping is a common form of blocking. Looping can be observed when a client reports the same distressing negative statements, emotions, sensations, or images repeatedly with little to no change without making progress toward resolution. Sometimes, there is a slight decrease in disturbance. However, when this occurs, instead of progressing adaptively through the information in the memory, the client is blocked in the form of cycling within the same components of the maladaptive memory.

A memory network is an interconnected system of related information. Although the exact appearance of memory networks is unknown, we can metaphorically imagine them as a series of channels where related memories, thoughts, images, emotions, and sensations are interconnected (Shapiro, 2018).

A Negative Cognition (NC)/Negative Belief is a self-referencing negative statement the client believes now, at least to some extent, when recalling the disturbing event. It reflects the client's current "interpretation" of themselves, rather than just a description. It answers the question, “What is my self-denigrating belief about myself in relation to the event?” It might include statements like “I am bad/worthless/unable to succeed.” A negative cognition that is actually true will not be changed. Clinical observations consistently show that EMDR reprocessing cannot eliminate a valid negative cognition or insert a false one (Shapiro, 2018).

This hypothesis is based on the innate response humans have to draw their attention to a new stimulus. According to this hypothesis, as a person engages in bilateral stimulation, their attention shifts away from the distressing memory, reducing its emotional impact and thus promoting adaptive memory reconsolidation.

A Positive Cognition (PC)/Positive Belief is a desirable statement that the client wants to have when thinking about the memory. In many cases, successful EMDR treatment leads to the new, positive cognition spreading throughout the entire memory network (Shapiro, 2018).

Stickgold (2002) proposed that bilateral stimulation puts the brain into a mode of memory processing similar to REM sleep, which then helps the brain to integrate episodic traumatic memories into general semantic networks.

The “R” in EMDR refers to reprocessing. Reprocessing refers to the process (phases four to six) facilitating the brain’s ability to link distressing memories and experiences with more adaptive information. The reprocessing component largely relates to the spontaneous, adaptive connections achieved as the target memory is desensitized resulting in symptom relief, positive changes to thought quality and beliefs, and/or a sense of closure from a traumatic event. Reprocessing to an adaptive resolution is the goal of EMDR Treatment.

Resourcing refers to the activities during Phase 2, Preparation, which focuses on building coping skills and strategies to tolerate and manage challenging emotions or memories. The term comes from using the client’s existing resources or developing new resources. These resources, including guided imagery, mindfulness, or simple practices like deep breathing, are used during and outside sessions to promote state change.

Returning to the target refers to a strategy within EMDR reprocessing whereby the therapist directs the client to return to the original target memory/experience.

Safe/Calm Place is a resourcing exercise whereby the client is guided to identify positive imagery and other associated good thoughts, emotions and body sensations which evoke a feeling of safety or calm. This exercise assists the client to strengthen access to this state of mind which can become a positive internal resource for the client when needed. It is recommended as part of Phase two: Preparation to reassure clients they can recover emotional stability during any disturbance.

A Set is the period of time the client is engaged in bilateral stimulation during reprocessing. This includes round trip passes of eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, i.e., tactile and auditory, that lasts for an average of 20 to 60 seconds but may vary.

The standard protocol for EMDR therapy follows a three-pronged approach that targets the past, present, and future. It focuses on past experiences driving current symptoms, addresses unresolved present triggers, and uses a Future Template to prepare for upcoming situations. This protocol is embedded within EMDR's comprehensive eight-phase treatment framework, which includes history-taking, client preparation, target memory assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation of treatment outcomes.

State Change is a temporary shift in one’s emotional state facilitated by a change in focus of attention. This is achieved through the use of resourcing or coping exercises. For example, using a Safe/Calm Place to shift from a state of relative distress to a state of relative calm.

The Subjective Units of Disturbance scale (SUD) is a self-report measure that evaluates the level of distress associated with a memory where zero is neutral or no disturbance and 10 is the highest level of disturbance imaginable (Wolpe, 1991). The SUD scale measures the client’s level of distress in the present moment as they focus on a target memory. Reprocessing typically continues until SUD reaches zero or as low as appears possible (Shaprio, 2018).

A target memory is any life experience identified during treatment for reprocessing. The client considers these memories disturbing by the client and are identified as contributing to present symptoms. These memories are worked on during assessment and reprocessing phases of EMDR treatment; however, alternative target memories may take priority as treatment progresses, or other associated memories not previously identified may arise.

The Three-Pronged Approach refers to the principle of EMDR psychotherapy that identifies and reprocesses (a) Memories of past adverse life experiences that underlie present problems, (b) Present-day situations that elicit disturbance and trigger maladaptive responses; and (c) Anticipatory future scenarios that require adaptive responses.

A tool to help clients become more aware of their internal experiences and to record disturbance that occurs between sessions, generally on a chart. TICES stands for trigger, image, cognitions, emotions, and sensations.

Trait change refers to a sustained or permanent shift in an individual’s personality, viewpoint, or perception. It occurs when a client reprocesses and reshapes their relationship to a memory or resolves a traumatic experience.

The Validity of Cognition (VOC) scale is a self-report measure that evaluates how strongly a client believes in a positive cognitive statement identified during treatment. This tool assesses the believability of the new positive belief on a scale from 1 (completely false) to 7 (completely true). Higher scores reflect a stronger belief in the positive cognition, allowing the therapist to monitor progress and adjust the session as needed.

The hypothesis posits that bilateral stimulation overloads working memory capacity, causing the target image to diminish/fade due to the competition for limited resources. The belief is that the brain struggles to retain the vividness of the traumatic memory while also focusing on the bilateral stimulation, which causes it to become less distressing over time (van den Hout, et al., 2012).