What Is a Good Reason to Repeat Preparation Before More EMDR?

What Is a Good Reason to Repeat Preparation Before More EMDR?

Short Answer: A good reason to repeat preparation before continuing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is that you would benefit from reviewing the process, practicing grounding techniques, or feeling more prepared to work with a particular memory. Preparation is not something you can only do once. You can return to it whenever you want to strengthen your coping strategies, become more comfortable with bilateral stimulation, or adjust your approach before additional memory processing.

Key Takeaways

• You can return to the EMDR preparation phase even after completing previous processing sessions.
• Difficulty staying focused or present during processing can be a good reason to revisit preparation.
• Practicing grounding and calming techniques may help you feel more prepared for future sessions.
• Starting work on a different or more emotionally demanding memory may call for additional preparation.
• Repeating preparation does not mean your previous EMDR work was unsuccessful.
• Preparation can be revisited in both therapist-guided and self-guided EMDR.

Why Would You Repeat EMDR Preparation?

Preparation is the second phase of the standard eight-phase EMDR process.

It helps you understand how EMDR works, become familiar with bilateral stimulation, and develop ways to manage your attention and emotional responses during processing.

Although preparation usually comes before active memory processing, you can return to it later.

For example, you might complete several EMDR sessions and then notice that you have difficulty staying focused when working on a particular memory.

Rather than immediately continuing with another processing session, you might decide to spend time reviewing grounding exercises or practicing ways to redirect your attention.

This is a practical reason to revisit preparation.

The purpose is not to restart EMDR from the beginning. It is to strengthen the skills and understanding that support your continued work.

What Are Good Reasons to Repeat Preparation?

Several situations may make additional preparation useful.

1. You Have Difficulty Staying Present During Processing

One important reason to revisit preparation is that you find it difficult to keep some awareness of your present surroundings while focusing on a memory.

During EMDR, you bring attention to a memory or experience while remaining aware that you are participating in a session in the present.

If you notice that your attention becomes difficult to manage, grounding techniques may help.

You might practice noticing your surroundings, feeling your feet on the floor, or shifting attention between your internal experience and the room around you.

Repeating these exercises can help you become more familiar with returning your attention to the present.

2. Your Grounding Techniques Need More Practice

You may have learned grounding or calming exercises during your initial preparation but discovered that you would like more practice using them.

For example, you might know how to use a calm-place visualization but find it difficult to focus on the image when you want to.

Or you may have learned several exercises without identifying which ones feel most useful.

Returning to preparation allows you to practice these techniques without simultaneously working on a distressing memory.

You can focus on becoming more comfortable with the exercises before continuing processing.

3. You Are Beginning Work on a Different Memory

Not every memory feels the same.

You may feel comfortable working on one experience but want more preparation before addressing another.

For example, after processing a relatively manageable event, you might choose a memory that brings up stronger emotions.

You may decide to review your grounding techniques, become familiar with your chosen focus, or consider how you want to approach the next session.

Additional preparation can help you make that transition at a pace that works for you.

When working with difficult experiences, additional preparation may be helpful for managing anxiety before continuing memory processing.

4. You Have Taken a Long Break From EMDR

If several weeks or months have passed since your last EMDR session, reviewing the preparation phase may be helpful.

You might want to remind yourself how bilateral stimulation works, how to pause a session, or which grounding techniques you previously used.

This is especially relevant if you feel unfamiliar with the process after time away.

You do not necessarily need to repeat every preparation exercise.

A brief review of the parts you want to refresh may be enough.

5. You Want to Feel More Comfortable With Bilateral Stimulation

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, which may involve guided eye movements, alternating sounds, or tapping.

If you are still becoming familiar with the method you use, returning to preparation can give you time to practice.

For example, you might want to become more comfortable following a moving visual cue before using it while focusing on a memory.

You may also want to review how to adjust the settings available in your EMDR format.

Becoming familiar with these practical details can make the process easier to follow.

6. You Want to Adjust Your Pacing

Another good reason to revisit preparation is that you want to change how you approach your sessions.

You may decide that shorter sessions, longer breaks, or more time spent practicing grounding techniques would suit you better.

Preparation gives you an opportunity to think about what has been working and what you would like to adjust.

You can then return to memory processing with a clearer idea of how you want to proceed.

Does Repeating Preparation Mean You Are Starting Over?

No. Returning to preparation does not automatically mean you are starting EMDR over or losing previous progress.

EMDR is organized into phases, but those phases do not have to function as a rigid sequence that you complete only once.

Preparation skills can remain useful throughout the process.

For example, you might have already noticed that a particular memory feels less upsetting than it did before.

Returning to preparation does not erase that change.

When you resume processing, you can reassess the memory and continue based on how it feels at that time.

Repeating preparation is simply a way to revisit skills that may help you with the next part of your EMDR work.

What Should You Focus on When Repeating Preparation?

You do not have to repeat every exercise or explanation from your original preparation phase.

Instead, consider what would be most helpful for your next session.

You might focus on:

• Grounding techniques: Practicing ways to bring your attention back to your surroundings.
• Calming exercises: Reviewing breathing, relaxation, or visualization techniques you find useful.
• Bilateral stimulation: Becoming more familiar with the eye movements, sounds, or tapping used in your sessions.
• Session pacing: Reviewing how to pause, take breaks, or end a session.
• Understanding the process: Refreshing your knowledge of what happens during memory processing and how to approach a target.

For example, if you already understand the EMDR process but want more practice with grounding, you can focus on that specific area.

The goal is to make preparation useful rather than unnecessarily repetitive.

Can You Repeat Preparation With Virtual EMDR?

Yes. Preparation is relevant to both therapist-guided and self-guided EMDR.

With the Virtual EMDR self-guided online program, you manage your own session schedule and pacing.

If you decide that you would benefit from additional preparation, you can take time away from memory processing and focus on practicing grounding or calming techniques before returning to your sessions.

You can also review your understanding of bilateral stimulation and how to manage your session pace.

With therapist-guided EMDR, whether conducted in person or remotely, you can discuss returning to preparation with your therapist.

In either format, the main purpose is the same: to make sure you have the understanding and coping strategies you want before continuing memory processing.

How Do You Know When You Are Ready to Continue Processing?

There is no fixed number of preparation exercises you must complete before returning to memory processing.

Instead, think about what you wanted to accomplish by revisiting preparation.

For example:

• If you wanted to practice grounding, do you now feel more comfortable using your chosen technique?
• If you wanted to review bilateral stimulation, do you understand how the method works?
• If you wanted to adjust your pacing, do you have a clearer idea of how you want to approach your next session?
• If you were preparing to work on a different memory, do you feel ready to begin focusing on it?

You do not need to eliminate every uncomfortable emotion before continuing.

EMDR often involves working with memories that bring up difficult feelings.

Preparation is intended to support your ability to participate in that process, not to remove all emotional responses before it begins.

If you feel ready to continue, you can return to memory processing. If you would prefer additional preparation, you can spend more time on it.

Conclusion

A good reason to repeat EMDR preparation is that you would benefit from strengthening your grounding skills, reviewing how the process works, or adjusting your approach before additional memory processing.

You might revisit preparation because you are having difficulty staying present, beginning work on a different memory, returning after a long break, or simply wanting more practice with a technique.

Repeating preparation does not mean previous processing sessions were unsuccessful.

Whether you use therapist-guided or self-guided EMDR, returning to preparation can be a useful part of managing your pace and preparing for continued work.