What to expect in your first EMDR session
Nervous about starting EMDR? Here's exactly what to expect in your first EMDR session — from history taking to your first bilateral stimulation experience.
Ziv Vosberg
5/18/20261 min read
Starting EMDR can feel mysterious. What actually happens? Will I have to relive everything? Will I be okay afterward? Here's what you can realistically expect.
The first sessions are about history and preparation
Despite what you might imagine, your first EMDR session won't involve bilateral stimulation or trauma processing. EMDR has eight phases, and the first two — history taking and preparation — can take several sessions before any processing begins.
Building your toolkit first
Before any trauma processing begins, you'll develop resources — internal skills that will help you stay regulated during processing. This preparation phase is not a delay — it's the foundation that makes processing safe and effective.
When bilateral stimulation begins
When you're ready, bilateral stimulation will be introduced — typically through eye movements, taps on your knees or hands, or auditory tones alternating between ears. Many clients are surprised by how gentle the experience is.
You're always in control
You are always in control during EMDR. You can pause at any time. Nothing is done to you — your therapist is a guide, not a driver. The process moves at your pace.
Ready to take the next step? Book a free 15-minute consultation at ziv-vosberg.clientsecure.me — no commitment, just a conversation.
ABOUT
Ziv Vosberg, LMFT #130319
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Telehealth across California
(408) 831-8804
zivlmft.com
GOOD TO KNOW
This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a therapeutic relationship.
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