Designed for: Clients currently participating in EMDR therapy.
Use this tool to: Help clients recognize normal reactions after EMDR sessions and identify situations when it may be helpful to contact their therapist.
About Cannon Psychology, Inc.: APA-approved sponsor providing evidence-based EMDR continuing education, treatment planning tools, and clinician resources.
About the EMDR Quick Reference Guide
This quick-reference guide provides a simple comparison between common EMDR processing reactions and signs that additional support may be helpful. It highlights experiences such as emotional waves, vivid dreams, or temporary fatigue that often occur as part of the brain’s natural processing of trauma memories. It also outlines situations where reactions persist, intensify, or interfere with daily functioning and may warrant communication with the therapist. The visual format makes the information easy to review and reinforces collaborative safety planning between clients and clinicians during trauma-focused therapy. This resource is intended for educational and informational purposes for licensed mental health professionals. It is not a substitute for formal EMDR training, clinical supervision, consultation, or independent clinical judgment. Clinicians are responsible for determining the appropriateness of all interventions based on each client’s individual needs and circumstances.