Naturally, the amount of time to complete EMDR therapy depends on the client and their history. Treatment involves a three-pronged protocol including:

1. Past memories or experiences,
2. Present disturbance or distress,
3. Future actions
   
   

The goal of EMDR therapy is to process completely the experiences that are causing problems and to include new ones that are needed for full health. “Processing” does not mean talking about it. “Processing” means setting up a learning state that will allow experiences that are causing problems to be “digested” and stored appropriately in your brain. That means that what is useful to you from an experience will be learned and stored with appropriate emotions in your brain and then be able to guide you in positive ways in the future. The maladaptive emotions, beliefs, and body sensations will be discarded.  The goal of EMDR therapy is to leave you with the emotions, understanding, and perspectives that will lead to healthy and useful behaviors and interactions.

8 Phases of EMDR Therapy