What is the Purpose of the Preparation and Stabilization Phase in EMDR Therapy?

This article was updated on September 18, 2026.

What is the Purpose of the Preparation and Stabilization Phase in EMDR Therapy?

If you are considering Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to heal from trauma, you might be eager to dive straight into processing your memories so you can find relief as quickly as possible. However, EMDR is a highly structured, eight-phase treatment framework. One of the most critical steps in this journey is Phase 2: The Preparation and Stabilization Phase.

Establishing a mental "safe place" or calm environment is a core component of EMDR Phase 2, giving your nervous system a secure retreat during trauma processing.

Skipping or rushing this foundational step can not only stall your progress but can also be emotionally destabilizing. Understanding the purpose of EMDR Phase 2 helps set you up for a safe, successful emotional breakthrough.

What Are the 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy?

Before exploring Phase 2 in depth, it helps to understand where it sits within the overall treatment. EMDR therapy does not just jump into eye movements; it follows a precise sequence designed to protect the client:

• Phase 1: History Taking and Treatment Planning – Your therapist gathers your family history, identifies the root problems, builds rapport, and selects specific target memories to process.
• Phase 2: Preparation and Stabilization – You learn about the EMDR process and develop crucial coping and relaxation skills to handle the emotional weight of trauma processing.
• Phase 3: Assessment – Your therapist helps you isolate the specific images, negative beliefs, and physical sensations tied to a traumatic memory, establishing a baseline level of distress.
• Phase 4: Desensitization – Using Bilateral Stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones), you process the memory to reduce your distress levels.
• Phase 5: Installation – You strengthen a positive, adaptive belief to replace the old, negative belief associated with the trauma.
• Phase 6: Body Scan – You check for and release any residual physical tension or discomfort remaining in your body.
• Phase 7: Closure – At the end of a session, your therapist ensures you return to a calm, grounded and safe state.
• Phase 8: Reevaluation – At the start of the next session, you review your progress and ensure the processed memories remain stable.

What is the Purpose of the Preparation and Stabilization Phase?

The core objective of Phase 2 is to expand your window of tolerance. Trauma often leaves the nervous system highly reactive. Phase 2 acts as an emotional safety net, ensuring that when you begin to look at painful memories, you have the tools to stay anchored in the present.

During this phase, an EMDR therapist focuses on several key goals:

• Building Internal and External Resources: Your therapist helps you identify personal strengths, supportive relationships, and adaptive memory networks that will sustain you through the healing process (see my article: Developing Internal Resources and Coping Skills).
• Teaching Core Coping Techniques: You will practice actionable emotional regulation tools. These typically include breathing exercises, the ""container exercise"" (mentally shelving distressing thoughts), and cognitive grounding techniques.
• Establishing Safe State/Relaxing Place Imagery: You will co-create a vivid mental image of a safe, calm, or relaxing environment. This serves as an immediate mental retreat if processing ever feels too intense.
• Cultivating Trust and Safety: Healing trauma requires deep vulnerability. This phase solidifies the therapeutic alliance ensuring you feel completely secure with your therapist.
• Providing Trauma Psychoeducation: Knowledge is power. Your therapist explains how trauma impacts the brain, how bilateral stimulation works, and exactly what to expect during a session to take the fear out of the unknown (see my article: EMDR and the Brain).
• Assessing Clinical Readiness: Your therapist responsibly evaluates whether your nervous system is sufficiently stabilized to handle Phase 4 (Desensitization), or if your body needs more time to build coping resource.

Why is Phase 2 So Important in EMDR Therapy?

Without proper preparation, attempting to process trauma can cause a client to become flooded with emotion, hyper-aroused, or even retraumatized. If you cannot stay anchored in the present moment during EMDR, the brain cannot properly re-file the traumatic memory into an adaptive, healthy format (see my article: What is Dual Awareness in Therapy?).

Stabilization ensures that you have the psychological infrastructure to face your past safely. It minimizes the risk of adverse emotional side effects between sessions and significantly boosts the long-term success of the therapy.

Case Study: The Hidden Dangers of Rushing EMDR Processing

The following clinical vignette is a composite case designed to protect client confidentiality, illustrating why the preparation phase cannot be bypassed.

Tom, a U.S. military veteran who survived severe combat trauma in Iraq, struggled daily with debilitating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Desperate for immediate relief, Tom consulted with licensed EMDR therapists in his area. When they explained that he would need several sessions of preparation and stabilization before processing his combat memories, Tom felt deeply discouraged. He wanted his symptoms gone immediately.

In his frustration, Tom turned to his friend John, an unlicensed mental health intern. John had read a few books on EMDR and, despite having zero formal training, confidently offered to help Tom.

Eager to bypass the previous stages, Tom and John skipped right to Phase 4 (Desensitization). Within minutes of trying to focus on his combat memories without any coping skills, Tom’s nervous system collapsed into a dissociated state. Flashbacks took over; he genuinely believed he was back on the battlefield. Tom began shaking, weeping, and cowering on the floor, completely unaware of his safe physical surroundings.

Panicked and out of his depth, John called 911. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) arrived within few minutes to ground and calm Tom, eventually restoring him to the present moment. The EMTs strictly warned John that performing advanced trauma therapies without training and licensing was dangerous, unethical, and harmful.

Weeks later, Tom’s physician referred him to a licensed mental health professional who was a trained EMDR therapist. While Tom still wished for a quick fix, he now understood the stakes. His new therapist spent dedicated time establishing his safe place imagery and building his grounding skills. When they finally began processing his trauma, Tom felt secure, supported, and anchored. The work required effort, but upon completing all eight phases safely, Tom was entirely relieved of his PTSD symptoms and successfully reclaimed his life.

Conclusion: Prioritize Safety for Lasting Trauma Relief

EMDR is a profoundly transformative, evidence-based therapy, but its safety and efficacy depend entirely on it being delivered sequentially by a qualified professional.

While it is entirely normal to want immediate relief from trauma on day one, rushing past Phase 2 puts you at risk for emotional distress and retraumatization. True healing takes time. If you are ready to explore EMDR, ensure your journey is safe and effective by working exclusively with a licensed mental health professional who holds accredited, advanced training in EMDR therapy.

About Josephine Ferraro, LCSW – NYC Psychotherapist

I am Josephine Ferraro, LCSW, a licensed New York psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, and Certified Sex Therapist dedicated to helping individual adults and couples build resilience, deepen connection, and achieve lasting emotional breakthroughs. My private practice is located in the 10011 zip code area, serving clients across NYC, Manhattan, and throughout New York State.

Specialized Trauma Therapy & Modern Modalities

As a dedicated trauma therapist, my core passion is helping clients process, integrate, and permanently overcome profound psychological stress and painful past experiences. Rather than relying on traditional talk therapy alone, I utilize an integrative mind-body approach to healing. I have advanced training in highly effective, evidence-based modalities, including:

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
• AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy)
• EFT for Couples (Emotionally Focused Therapy)
• Somatic Experiencing
• Clinical Hypnotherapy

Whether you are an individual working through relational wounds or a couple looking to break distressing communication cycles, my practice provides a secure, specialized space tailored to your unique nervous system. Want to learn more about how specialized care can help you heal? Read my featured article: What is a Trauma Therapist?

Schedule a Consultation in NYC (10011)

Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate it alone. My practice is conveniently located for those seeking a therapist in the 10011 (Greenwich Village/Chelsea) neighborhood and surrounding Manhattan areas. 

I also offer online therapy.

• Website: Visit Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist to explore my services and therapeutic approach.
• Phone: Call (917) 742-2624 during business hours to discuss your needs.
• Email: Reach out directly through my website contact page to set up an initial consultation.

Also See My Articles:

• What is EMDR Therapy? 

• Overcoming Trauma With EMDR Therapy

• EMDR Therapy - When Traditional Psychotherapy Isn't Enough

• EMDR Therapy Helps to Achieve Emotional Breakthroughs

What is Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) in EMDR Therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a safe and effective therapy for processing trauma (see my article: How EMDR Therapy Works: EMDR and the Brain).

Bilateral Stimulation as Part of EMDR Therapy

EMDR has been used to treat trauma since the late 1980s when it was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro. 

In addition to being a clinician, Dr. Shapiro was also a researcher, so she did EMDR research which demonstrated the effectiveness of EMDR to process trauma.

A key component of EMDR therapy is Bilateral Stimulation (BLS).

What is Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) in EMDR Therapy?

Let's start by defining BLS.

BLS is the use of a stimulus that activates both sides of the brain and the body which allows the processing of memories, emotions and bodily sensations which are "stuck" in the nervous system as a result of trauma.

By activating both sides of the brain and body, BLS allows more effective processing of trauma than regular talk therapy.  

Bilateral Stimulation as Part of EMDR Therapy

Clients often report feeling less distressed by traumatic memories while using BLS because BLS has an integrative function. 

In other words, instead of being "stuck," traumatic memories get integrated with other experiences so that, over time, a client's distress level decreases until these memories are no longer distressing.

In the late 1980s, when Dr. Shapiro was developing EMDR therapy, BLS only consisted of eye movements (eyes moving back and forth while following the therapist's hand).

As other EMDR therapists contributed to the development of EMDR therapy, they discovered that other types of BLS worked just as well as eye movements. 

So for instance, many EMDR therapists had clients hold a set of tappers in their hands for BLS.  The tappers buzzed back and forth from the right side to the left and back again. These therapists discovered that tappers were just as effective as using eye movements as a form of BLS.

Dr. Laurel Parnell, who developed Attachment-Focused EMDR therapy, is known for using tapping as BLS where either the therapist or the client taps alternately on their arms or knees.  

Some clients like to listen to music with headphones where the music goes from one ear to the other back and forth. 

The advantage of using BLS that doesn't involve moving the eyes back and forth is that clients can close their eyes while processing a traumatic memory so they can tune into what's happening in their body, which is an important part of EMDR therapy, a mind-body oriented therapy.

Why is BLS Used in EMDR Therapy?

EMDR research has shown that using BLS as a key component to EMDR therapy and makes it a powerful modality for processing trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other forms of anxiety and depression--to name just a few mental health issues where EMDR has been found to be highly effective.

Other Forms of BLS in Everyday Life

Aside from EMDR therapy, there are other forms of BLS in our everyday life.

Common examples of bilateral stimulation in everyday life include:

• Walking or Running: When you walk or run, you move one leg and then the other so that walking becomes a bilateral experience.

• Swimming: When you swim, you alternate using your arms and legs, which is a bilateral experience.

• Biking: When you ride a bike, you alternate each leg as you pedal, which is a bilateral experience.

People often report that when they walk, run, swim or bike, they feel better.  Many people say they come up with solutions to problems even if they're not actively thinking about these problems.

People also report feeling more relaxed after engaging in one of these activities, similar to how many clients experience BLS as part of EMDR therapy.

How is BLS Related to Memory Reconsolidation?

BLS is thought to be similar to REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.  

REM is a phase of sleep where memories are reconsolidated.

Since BLS activates both sides of the brain, similar to REM, it allows for communication and integration between fragmented parts of traumatic memories which have been stored in different parts of the brain.

EMDR Processing and Memory Reconsolidation

During EMDR reprocessing of a traumatic memory, the memory is brought back into consciousness during BLS and it is restored into long term memory with less vividness and intensity.  This is how memories that are "stuck" get "unstuck."

Over time, processing traumatic memories using BLS during EMDR sessions, makes the traumatic memories less distressing. When memories are restored in long term memory with less distress, the client experiences emotional healing.

They also understand on an emotional level (not just on a cognitive level) that the trauma is from the past and they no longer feel the negative impact in the present (see my article: Reacting to the Present Based on Your Traumatic Past).

This process is not something that happens in just a few sessions, especially if the trauma is longstanding and complex.  However, EMDR therapy is usually faster and more effective than regular talk therapy.

Also, see my article: EMDR Therapy Online is Just as Effective as EMDR in Person

Getting Help in EMDR Therapy

If you have been unable to resolve traumatic experiences on your own, you could benefit from working with a Trauma Therapist who does EMDR therapy.

Getting Help in EMDR Therapy

See my article: EMDR Therapy - When Talk Therapy Isn't Enough)

Working through unresolved trauma can help you to lead a more meaningful life.

About Me

I am a licensed New York City psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, EMDR, AEDP, EFT, Somatic Experiencing and Sex Therapist.

I work with individual adults and couples.

I have helped many clients overcome unresolved trauma using EMDR therapy and other forms of trauma therapy (see my article: What is a Trauma Therapist?).

To find out more about me, visit my website: Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist.

To set up a consultation, call me at (917) 742-2624 during business hours or email me.