Hey there,

If you're like most EMDR therapists I know, your training probably gave you a decent start at the basics of reprocessing…

But it might not have fully prepared you for the complex, non-linear reality of guiding clients through the ups and downs of trauma recovery.

I remember one of my early cases, a lifelong pattern of trauma starting from severe abuse and neglect from family caregivers, bullying and physical assault in high school, to joining the military and experiencing multiple warzone traumas. The trauma just compounded over the years and as a result, the mental health challenges they endured.

Sound familiar?

In my EMDR therapist journey, I've come to realize that EMDR reprocessing can be less about following a rigid sequence and more about learning certain principles that allow us to navigate the uniqueness of each client’s needs.

Here are three of the most important ones I've learned:

Responsive pacing: Continuously adjusting the speed and intensity of the work based on the client's moment-to-moment capacity.

This might mean spending more time in the preparation phase, using shorter bilateral sets, or interspersing resourcing between processing.

As Dr. Laurel Parnell (founder of attachment-focused EMDR) emphasizes, it’s ok to go slow when it comes to complex trauma.

Collaborative attunement: Drawing on Dr. Jamie Marich’s collaborative, client-led stance, therapists can engage clients as active partners; centering the client’s felt sense of safety, pacing, and direction.

In other words, trusting the process even when it feels unpredictable.

Instead of doing reprocessing “to” them, you’re doing it “with” them (which allows for a much deeper level of processing and integration).

Pendulation: Helping clients oscillate between states of activation and settling, between processing and consolidation.

As Dr. Arielle Schwartz explains in her work on resilience-focused EMDR, this rhythm of moving in and out of intensity is key to expanding the client's window of tolerance and facilitating integration.

Of course, applying these principles looks different for every client and every session.

That's why I believe the most important skill we can cultivate as EMDR therapists is our ability to attune, adapt, and trust the process (especially when it doesn't look like the textbook version).

If you’d like to go deeper into the nuances of EMDR reprocessing, consider advanced trainings from leading EMDR trainers such as Dr. Laurel Parnell (Attachment-Focused EMDR), Dolores Mosquera (complex trauma & dissociation), and Dr. Andrew M. Leeds (case conceptualization, interweaves, and resolving blocked processing). Their content offers practical strategies for pacing, resourcing, and staying within the window of tolerance.

Or if you want some community-based support and inspiration tailored to seasoned EMDR practitioners like you, come join us in Helicon.

We're building a passionate group of EMDR therapists sharing referrals, discussing advanced applications, and supporting each other's professional growth. Plus, as a pilot member, you'll be the first to hear about exclusive opportunities and resources as we roll out new offerings.

Hope to see you there!

With gratitude,

Chris

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