What Happens During Phase 4 Reprocessing And How Do Clinicians Handle "Stuck Points"?
Phase 4 is where EMDR gets real—breakthroughs, body shifts, and sometimes, brick walls. We pull back the curtain on reprocessing so you can recognize the difference between genuine relief and a protector slamming the brakes. From setting clean baselines to closing sessions with solid stabilization, we map the decision points that keep clients safe and moving forward.
We start with the nuts and bolts of assessment—image, negative and positive beliefs, SUDS, VOC, emotion, and body sensations—then show how those baselines guide bilateral stimulation. Not every client thrives with a light bar; some regulate best with therapist-guided eye movements, tappers, or even rhythmic walking. The aim isn’t novelty, it’s fit. You’ll hear how we choose first targets to build confidence, why a mid-range SUDS can be wiser than the “big 1,” and how to pace reprocessing across sessions without leaving a client activated.
When progress stalls, we trace the common culprits: looping, network overload, and the classic too-fast drop from 10 to 0. We use parts work to befriend protectors, negotiate permission, and avoid power struggles with the nervous system. If a blocking belief is in the way—“If I heal, it didn’t happen,” “If I let go, I’ll lose control”—we briefly integrate cognitive work to clear the path and return to sets. For newer clinicians, we underline the core truth: phases 1 and 2 are EMDR. Relationship, resourcing, and case conceptualization are not detours; they are the road. With clear frameworks and flexible tools, phase 4 becomes less about forcing change and more about guiding the system toward adaptive resolution.
If you’re ready to sharpen your reprocessing skills, get practical with stuck points, and help clients leave sessions grounded, this conversation will meet you where you work—moment by moment, set by set. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review with your favorite takeaway so we can keep building smarter care together.
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EMDR WITH DANI AND ALLY
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