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EMDR Session Documentation: A Trauma Therapist's Guide

EMDR session notes should map onto the eight-phase protocol and capture the SUDS and VOC ratings that anchor reprocessing. This guide outlines what to document at each phase of EMDR therapy.

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On this page
  1. Phase-by-phase documentation
  2. Risk and dissociation watchpoints
  3. Related reading

Summary

EMDR session notes should map onto the eight-phase protocol — history-taking, preparation, assessment, desensitisation, installation, body scan, closure, re-evaluation. The discriminating feature versus generic talk-therapy notes is the inclusion of SUDS (Subjective Units of Disturbance) and VOC (Validity of Cognition) ratings before and after reprocessing.

Phase-by-phase documentation

Phase 1 — History-taking and treatment planning

  • Trauma history, presenting concerns, dissociation screening (DES-II), readiness for EMDR.
  • Targets identified for reprocessing — past, present, future.
  • Treatment plan agreed with client.

Phase 2 — Preparation

  • Resource installation (e.g. calm place, safe place).
  • Stabilisation skills taught.
  • Bilateral stimulation type chosen and rationale (eye movements, tactile, auditory).
  • Stop signal agreed.

Phase 3 — Assessment

For each target memory, document:

  • Image — most disturbing snapshot.
  • Negative cognition (NC).
  • Positive cognition (PC).
  • VOC rating of PC (1–7).
  • Emotion(s).
  • SUDS rating (0–10).
  • Body sensation location.

Phase 4 — Desensitisation

  • Sets of bilateral stimulation conducted.
  • Channels of association reported by the client.
  • SUDS at intervals.
  • Any need for cognitive interweaves or stabilisation.

Phase 5 — Installation

  • VOC re-rated.
  • PC strengthened with further BLS sets.
  • Final VOC.

Phase 6 — Body scan

  • Body sensation status — clear or remaining.
  • Further BLS if remaining.

Phase 7 — Closure

  • Stabilisation back to baseline.
  • Containment exercise (e.g. container).
  • Self-care between sessions.

Phase 8 — Re-evaluation (next session)

  • Status of target memory.
  • Any in-between-session reactions.
  • Next target.

Risk and dissociation watchpoints

Document any signs of dissociation, abreaction, or window-of-tolerance dysregulation, and the steps taken to stabilise. EMDR is contraindicated in active psychosis and in clients without sufficient stabilisation skills — both should be screened for and documented in Phases 1–2.

How we review this guide

Library guides reference original Australian source authorities — not secondary commentary — and are updated when source material changes. Each guide cites the regulator, item descriptor, or governing standard it draws from so you can verify it directly.

Sources checked
  • Original Australian source authorities and peer-reviewed guidance
Review cadence
Reviewed annually and whenever a cited source authority publishes a material change. Last reviewed .
Not advice
Reference content for Australian practitioners and education staff. Not legal, clinical, or billing advice — verify against your governing body and current source documents.

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