EMDR can be a very powerful way to help people heal from trauma. It will work much better when you have a clear plan. An EMDR treatment plan shows exactly what to do in each session, which memories to work on, and how to track progress. In this article, we discuss how to create an EMDR treatment plan for trauma and PTSD. 

Key Takeaways 

• Clear goals and measurable objectives keep therapy focused and organized.

• Measuring distress, positive beliefs, and body reactions makes it easier to see how the client is improving.

• Berries AI can save time by automatically recording sessions and keeping everything organized. 

EMDR-Specific Treatment Plan Components

An EMDR treatment plan should help guide sessions and track the progress of patients. The most important parts used in an eye movement desensitization treatment plan are:

Trauma History and Symptom Assessment

This is where you listen to the client’s full story. You note important life events, past trauma, and what still affects them today. Things like nightmares and other physical or emotional reactions in the body must be assessed carefully. 

Dissociative Symptoms Screening

Some clients feel numb, spaced out, or disconnected when talking about trauma. This part should be fully focused on screening the trauma-related dissociative signs early. If dissociation shows up, sessions may move more slowly so the client stays present and safe.

Resource Development Needs

Before working on painful memories, the client needs tools to feel calm. You can help them learn ways to ground themselves and manage strong emotions. Safe images, breathing exercises, and coping skills are built so the client can handle difficult moments during and after sessions.

Target Memory Selection And Prioritization

Not every memory is worked on at once. Your focus should be on memories that still cause strong reactions today. These may be early experiences or moments connected to current triggers. Choosing the right target memory helps keep the work organized and meaningful.

Installation Goals for Positive Cognitions

When distress decreases, you should begin helping the client build healthier beliefs. For example, having control or believing “I did the best I could.” These thoughts should be strengthened until they feel real in both the mind and body.

Body Scan and Somatic Processing Objectives

Following memory work, the client may notice bodily tension or stress. Any remaining sensations should be processed so the body can fully relax and feel calm.

Reevaluation Protocols

In subsequent sessions, review past targets to determine whether distress remains low. If symptoms return, the plan should be adjusted. This step confirms progress and guides the next steps.

Phase-Based Treatment Planning

An EMDR treatment plan should move step by step so the client can work through trauma safely. Each phase should have clear goals and activities. EMDR therapy goals will guide both the client and you at every step.

Phase 1-2: History Taking and Preparation

In the first two phases, you should focus on helping the client feel safe and ready for processing. Goals should include stabilizing emotions, practicing grounding and calming skills, and checking readiness for memory work. 

Planning should decide which skills or supports the client will use in the next phases.

Phase 3-6: Assessment through Body Scan

In these phases, you should focus on the memories chosen for processing. The client should work on reducing distress (SUD reduction) and building positive beliefs (VOC increase). 

The body should be checked for tension or discomfort. A memory can be considered complete when emotional distress is low, and the body feels calm.

Following a clear EMDR treatment plan here helps track what has been done and what still needs attention.

Phase 7-8: Closure and Reevaluation

After processing, the client should feel stable between sessions. You should review progress, check if processing is complete, reinforce positive beliefs, and plan ways to prevent relapse. The EMDR treatment plan should be updated based on what has changed and what still needs work.

Sample EMDR Treatment Plan for PTSD (with EMDR-Specific Elements)

This is a sample EMDR treatment plan you can follow or learn from when working with clients with PTSD or other disorders. 

Client Name: Janice Hunt

Diagnosis: PTSD (F43.10)

Trauma History Summary

Janice experienced a car accident two years ago and has recurring flashbacks and nightmares. She also reports feeling anxious in crowded spaces and avoids driving.

Current Symptom 

Flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, anxiety in public places, sleep difficulties, low mood, and difficulty concentrating.

EMDR Phase-Specific Goals

• Phase 1-2: Build safety, stabilize emotions, and develop grounding skills.

• Phase 3-6: Process trauma memories starting with less distressing ones, reduce SUD scores, increase VOC scores, and notice body tension.

• Phase 7-8: Review progress and plan for managing triggers. 

Target Memory List and Sequencing

• Car accident (the moment of impact)

• Driving after the accident

• Flashbacks in public spaces

• Nightmares about the accident

Resource Development Plan

Calm-place visualization, container exercise for difficult memories, breathing and grounding exercises, and positive self-talk skills.

Measurable Objectives

• Reduce distress (SUD) from 8/10 to 3/10 for each target memory.

• Increase positive belief (VOC) from 2/10 to 7/10.

• Body tension and anxiety are reduced during sessions and between sessions

Progress Measurement Tools 

PCL-5 for PTSD symptoms, IES-R for trauma impact, SUD, and VOC ratings during sessions.

Target Memory Documentation

In an EMDR treatment plan, it is very important to clearly organize the memories you will work on. Proper documentation will help track progress and guide each session safely. 

Identifying and Sequencing Targets

You should record which memories to process first and which to process later. Start with memories that are strong but manageable, then move to the others in order. 

Touchstone Memories Vs Feeder Memories

Touchstone memories are the primary events that cause trauma, whereas feeder memories are smaller experiences associated with them. Both should be noted to assess how they affect one another. 

Present Triggers Mapping to Past Events

Record all the current situations or feelings that trigger reactions and link them to past memories. This will help you understand why certain triggers cause strong responses. 

Future Template Needs

Plan for memories or situations the client may face in the future. Note how new skills and beliefs can be applied to these upcoming challenges.

Documenting Memory Networks

Show how different memories are connected in the mind. This map will help you track the progress of the client. Using clear EMDR protocol documentation makes all this easier to follow.

Measuring EMDR Progress

Tracking progress is also important to see how the client is improving during EMDR therapy. A clear EMDR treatment plan should include methods to measure changes in emotions, thoughts, physiological responses, and daily functioning. 

SUD (Subjective Units of Disturbance) Tracking

You should record the client’s distress level for each memory before, during, and after processing. SUD scores help see how much emotional intensity has decreased over sessions.

VOC (Validity of Cognition) Measurement

This measures the extent to which the client believes positive thoughts following memory work. VOC scores show whether new, healthier beliefs feel true.

Standardized PTSD Assessments

Use tools like PCL-5 or IES-R to measure PTSD symptoms. These scores provide an objective view of progress beyond session ratings. 

Functional Improvement Indicators

Look for changes in daily functioning, such as improved sleep, fewer flashbacks, or increased confidence in confronting triggers. Improvements here show the client is applying therapy outside of sessions.

Symptom Reduction Documentation

Keep track of decreases in nightmares, anxiety, hypervigilance, and avoidance behaviors. Noting these helps show measurable gains.

Processing Completeness Criteria

After a memory is worked on, check if distress is low and if positive beliefs feel solid. When all these are achieved, the memory can be considered fully processed.

Special Considerations for EMDR Documentation

Maintaining clear records is important for guiding therapy and tracking client progress within an EMDR treatment plan. Some situations require additional attention to ensure sessions remain safe and well-documented. 

Insurance Requirements for Trauma Therapy

You should note any documentation needed for insurance, including session summaries and progress updates. This will help support coverage for the client’s therapy.

Documenting Medical Necessity for Extended Treatment

If a client needs more sessions than expected, records should explain why continued treatment is important. Mention any ongoing symptoms and challenges. 

Coordinating With Other Providers 

Keep track of communication with psychiatrists, primary care providers, or other specialists. You need to document the reference to psychiatry or other departments' collaboration to maintain proper care of your client. 

Safety Planning Documentation

Include details on strategies used to keep the client safe, particularly when they experience severe distress or triggers. Notes should show what steps were taken during and between sessions.

Dissociation Management Protocols

Record any dissociation signs and how they were handled in session. This way, it will be easy to move forward during future sessions. 

Complex Trauma Treatment Planning

For clients with multiple traumas, document how memories are sequenced, resources used, and goals for each memory. Doing so will make it easy for you to track progress without overwhelming the client.

EMDR Documentation Best Practices

Accurate documentation helps track client progress and keeps therapy organized. Notes should include:

• What happened in each session, including memories processed and client reactions.

• Which targets were worked on across sessions, and which still need attention.

• Any incomplete processing that needs follow-up in future sessions.

• Between-session experiences, such as triggers, flashbacks, or emotional changes.

• Updates to the treatment plan as progress occurs.

• Using technology to make record-keeping faster and easier.

AI Documentation for EMDR Sessions 

EMDR sessions involve many memories, SUD and VOC scores, and body reactions that need careful tracking. AI tools like Berries AI can capture all of these details and create clear session notes. Using Berries AI features will help you with the EDR treatment plan and other documentation during your practice. 

Bottom Line 

Creating an EMDR treatment plan helps guide therapy step by step and keeps track of progress. Start your Berries AI free trial today and make EDMR documentation easy and organized. 

FAQs

How is an EMDR treatment plan different from standard trauma therapy plans?

An EMDR plan follows specific phases, tracks SUD/VOC scores, and focuses on processing memories step by step, unlike standard plans that may not use these structured methods.

How many target memories should I include in a treatment plan?

Include the most important trauma events first (touchstone memories) and the smaller related experiences (feeder memories). You can add more as therapy progresses.

How do I document EMDR when processing is incomplete?

Write down which memory wasn’t fully processed, how upset or stressed the client felt, and any bodily reactions they had. Note what still needs work and plan to continue in the next session.