Can You Return to a Previous Target After a Break?

Can You Return to a Previous Target After a Break?

Short Answer: Yes. You can return to a previous target after taking a break from Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). A target is a specific memory, experience, belief, or situation you have chosen to work on during processing. Whether your break lasted a few days, several weeks, or longer, you can revisit the same target and notice how it feels now. You do not have to start the entire EMDR process over simply because time has passed. Reassessing your previous target can help you decide whether to continue processing it or move on to something else.

Key Takeaways

• You can return to a previous EMDR target after taking a break between sessions.
• You do not need to finish processing a target in one session.
• Before continuing, check how the memory or issue feels now rather than assuming it feels exactly as it did before.
• A break does not automatically erase the progress you made during earlier sessions.
• You can continue with the same target, focus on a different aspect of it, or choose another target.
• Both therapist-guided and self-guided EMDR allow you to revisit previously selected targets.

What Does It Mean to Return to a Previous EMDR Target?

In EMDR, a target is the memory, experience, thought, or other focus you choose to work on during a processing session.

For example, you might select a particular childhood memory, a difficult conversation, or an experience connected with anxiety.

During processing, you bring the target to mind while using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, alternating sounds, or tapping.

Sometimes, you may finish a session before you feel that you have completed your work with the target.

You might then take several days or weeks away from EMDR before deciding to continue.

Returning to the previous target simply means bringing that memory or issue back into focus during a later session.

You can check what you notice now and decide whether additional processing would be useful.

Why Might You Want to Revisit the Same Target?

There are several reasons you might decide to return to a memory you previously worked on.

For example:

• The memory still feels upsetting: You may have noticed some improvement but still want to work on the emotions connected with the experience.
• You stopped before completing processing: You may have ended an earlier session because you were ready for a break.
• A different detail now stands out: After some time away, you may notice another part of the memory that you want to address.
• The memory has come to mind again: Something in everyday life may have reminded you of the experience.
• You want to check your progress: You may wish to see whether the memory feels different after time away from processing.

Returning to the same target does not mean that your earlier sessions were unsuccessful.

Sometimes, the next session provides an opportunity to continue working with an experience that has already begun to change.

What Should You Do Before Returning to a Previous Target?

Before beginning another processing session, it can be useful to take a moment to reassess the memory.

This is related to the eighth phase of EMDR, called re-evaluation.

Re-evaluation involves checking how previous processing work feels now and deciding what to focus on next.

You can approach this in a few simple steps.

1. Bring the Previous Target to Mind

Think about the memory or experience you worked on before your break.

You do not need to recreate every detail of the earlier session.

Simply identify the target you want to revisit.

For example, if you previously worked on a difficult interaction at work, you might briefly recall that interaction and notice your current response.

2. Notice How the Target Feels Now

Pay attention to what comes up when you think about the memory.

You might notice:

• The memory feels less upsetting than before.
• The emotions are similar to those you experienced previously.
• A different thought or feeling stands out.
• The memory seems less vivid.
• You notice a physical sensation connected with the experience.
• The memory no longer feels particularly important to work on.

There is no particular response you need to produce.

The purpose is to observe how the target feels now, rather than trying to recreate your previous experience.

3. Consider Whether More Processing Would Be Useful

After checking your response, decide whether you want to continue working with the same target.

If the memory still brings up emotions or thoughts you would like to address, you may choose to continue processing.

If the memory feels substantially less upsetting, you might decide to focus on another part of the experience or move on to a different target.

You can also spend additional time on preparation or grounding before returning to processing.

The decision can reflect what feels most relevant to you at that point.

Do You Have to Start Processing the Memory From the Beginning?

Not necessarily.

When you return to a previous target, you are not required to recreate the exact thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations you experienced during your earlier session.

EMDR processing can involve changes in how a memory feels over time.

For example, a memory that originally brought up strong sadness might now feel less emotional, while a different aspect of the experience stands out.

You can begin with your current response rather than trying to reproduce the earlier one.

The standard EMDR process includes re-evaluation for this reason: it helps establish what, if anything, still needs attention.

You also do not need to repeat every phase of EMDR from the beginning simply because you are returning after a break.

However, reviewing preparation techniques may be useful if you have been away from the process for a while.

Does Taking a Break Make You Lose Progress on a Target?

Taking a break does not automatically undo the processing you have already completed.

You may have noticed changes during previous sessions, such as:

• The memory feeling less emotionally intense.
• A different understanding of what happened.
• Less distress when recalling the experience.
• A change in how you think about yourself in relation to the memory.

Those changes do not necessarily disappear because you have taken time away from EMDR.

At the same time, the way a memory feels can vary.

When you return, you may find that some aspects of the memory have changed while others still feel similar.

This is why reassessing the target is more useful than assuming you must either start over or continue exactly where you stopped.

What If the Previous Target No Longer Bothers You?

If you return to a previous target and notice that it no longer feels upsetting, you may not need to repeat the same processing work.

You can consider whether anything connected with the experience still feels important to address.

For example, the original memory may feel less distressing, but you might notice a related belief or situation that you want to explore.

You may also feel satisfied with the changes you have experienced and decide to move on.

In the standard EMDR process, completing work with a target can involve checking emotional distress, the positive belief associated with the experience, and any remaining physical tension.

Simply noticing that a memory feels better is useful information, although it does not necessarily mean every part of the EMDR target has been completed.

Can You Return to a Previous Target With Virtual EMDR?

Yes. The ability to revisit a previous target is relevant to self-guided EMDR as well as therapist-guided sessions.

With the Virtual EMDR self-guided online program, you choose when to complete your sessions and manage your own pacing.

If you take a break and later want to return to a memory you previously worked on, you can choose that memory as your focus for another session.

Before beginning, consider how the target feels now and whether you want to continue working with it.

If you have notes from earlier sessions, you may find them useful for remembering what you previously focused on.

With therapist-guided EMDR, whether conducted in person or through a video appointment, your therapist can help you review the previous target and determine the next processing focus.

In either format, returning to an earlier target can be part of a flexible approach to EMDR.

What If You Want to Work on a Different Target Instead?

You do not have to return to a particular memory simply because you worked on it before.

After taking a break, you may realize that another experience feels more relevant.

For example, you might originally have focused on a difficult childhood memory but later decide that a more recent event is what you want to address.

You can consider whether the original target still needs attention or whether you would prefer to shift your focus.

Making a note of unfinished targets can help you remember them without feeling obligated to work on all of them immediately.

The important point is that returning to a previous target is an option, not a requirement.

Conclusion

You can return to a previous EMDR target after taking a break, whether that break lasted a few days, several weeks, or longer.

You do not need to restart the entire process or recreate the exact experience of your earlier session.

Instead, bring the target to mind, notice how it feels now, and decide whether additional processing would be useful.

You may choose to continue with the same memory, address a different part of it, or move on to another target.

EMDR allows you to reassess previous work and adjust your focus as the process continues.