Clinical reference only. This content is intended for trained clinicians and does not replace formal EMDR training or supervision. See our family guide.
Container Exercise
Phase 2 Resource Development - Affect Containment
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Client: ________________
Purpose
The Container Exercise helps clients temporarily store distressing material between sessions, preventing overwhelm and teaching affect regulation. Use when client needs to "put away" difficult content that emerges at inconvenient times.
T Teenager Script (Ages 13+)
"Sometimes difficult thoughts, feelings, or memories show up at times when we can't deal with them - like when you're at school, trying to sleep, or just going about your day. I'm going to teach you a technique to contain those things temporarily, so you can put them away until you're ready to deal with them in session."
"I'd like you to imagine some kind of container - something strong enough to hold whatever you put in it. It could be a safe, a vault, a lockbox, a trunk, a shipping container... anything that feels secure and unbreakable. What kind of container comes to mind?"
[Wait for their response]
"Good. Now imagine this container in detail. What color is it? What's it made of? How big is it? Does it have a lock, a lid, or some other way to close it securely?"
"This container has a special feature - it can hold anything. Feelings, memories, thoughts, images - anything that's bothering you. Nothing can escape from it unless you choose to let it out."
"Let's practice. Think of something mildly bothersome - nothing too big, just something annoying or slightly uncomfortable. Now imagine putting that into your container... Watch it go in... Now close and lock your container securely."
[Add slow bilateral stimulation]
"Your container is now holding that for you. You can open it when you're ready, like when we're in session together. Between sessions, if difficult things come up, you can imagine putting them in your container until we meet again."
Client's Container Details
Type of Container:
Color/Material:
Locking Mechanism:
Special Features:
Container Exercise
Phase 2 Resource Development - Affect Containment
Page 2 of 2
Date: ________________
C Child-Friendly Script (Ages 6-12)
"Sometimes we have yucky feelings or scary thoughts that pop up when we don't want them to - like at school, or bedtime, or when we're trying to have fun. I'm going to teach you a magic trick to put those things away until we can work on them together!"
"First, let's imagine a super strong container - like a treasure chest, a magic box, a safe, or even a rocket ship that can fly far away! What kind of container sounds good to you?"
[Let them choose and describe it]
"Perfect! Now let's make it really special. What color is it? Is it big or small? Does it have a lock? Maybe it has a special password or magic spell to open it?"
"Here's the cool part - this container can hold ANYTHING. Bad dreams, scary memories, yucky feelings, mean thoughts - anything that bothers you. And nothing, absolutely nothing, can get out unless YOU say so."
"Let's practice! Think of something that's been a little bit annoying - maybe a time when you felt frustrated or a worry you have. Now imagine picking it up like a ball and putting it right into your container... Watch it go in... Now close the lid tight and lock it up!"
[Add butterfly hugs]
"Great job! Your container is keeping that safely tucked away. If something bothering shows up when you're not here with me, you can imagine putting it in your container until we meet again. Then we can look at it together when you're ready."
Session Notes
Child's Container:
Special Features/Lock:
Container Variations for Children
- - Treasure chest with a magic lock
- - Rocket ship that flies to outer space
- - Superhero vault
- - Dragon's cave with guardian
- - Magic refrigerator (worries "freeze")
- - Video game save file
- - Genie's lamp
- - Secret underground bunker
Clinical Tips
- - Practice with mildly distressing content first, not trauma memories
- - Container should only be opened in session with clinician present
- - If container "leaks," help client strengthen it (thicker walls, extra locks)
- - Some clients prefer multiple containers for different types of content
- - Pair with safe place: container holds the hard stuff, safe place provides comfort
- - Have child draw their container to strengthen the resource