Clinical reference only. This content is intended for trained clinicians and does not replace formal EMDR training or supervision. See our family guide.
Phase 4 Scripts: Desensitization & Interweaves
5 printable pages with processing scripts and interweave techniques
Phase 4: Desensitization
Core Processing Scripts
Page 1 of 5
Client: ________________
Setup Script
"Remember that this is not happening now and you are safe. I am right here with you. Let whatever happens happen, just notice what is coming up for you. Any thoughts, images, emotions and body sensations. Remember that there is no right or wrong, just watch what is coming up and notice them as you would observe the scenery from a moving train. You can use your stop signal if needed."
Beginning Processing Script
"Now I am inviting you to hold in your mind and body:
• The image
• The negative belief: ________________________________
• The emotions: ____________________________________
• That you feel in your ________________________________
And I am going to [eye movements / taps / tones] for you to follow."
Begin bilateral stimulation: 24-36 passes (~30 seconds)
Between Sets
After Each Set:
"Let's stop, take a breath, let it go… What are you noticing now?"
or
"What is happening now?"
Continue Processing:
"Go with that."
or
"Notice that."
Resume BLS (24-36 passes)
Return to Target
"When you go back to the original incident, what do you get now?"
"On a scale of 0-10, how disturbing does it feel now?"
Use when: neutral/positive material reported, need to check if processing is complete, or significant shift occurred
Session Notes
Stuck Processing
Recognition & Decision Guide
Page 2 of 5
Client: ________________
Signs Processing is Stuck
☐ Looping
- ☐ Same material repeats 2-3 sets
- ☐ SUD not changing
- ☐ Returning to same emotion/image
- ☐ Circular thinking patterns
☐ Blocking
- ☐ Client reports "nothing" or "blank"
- ☐ Sudden dissociation or numbing
- ☐ Avoidance of specific material
- ☐ Intellectualizing instead of feeling
☐ Abreaction Stall
- ☐ Intense emotion not shifting
- ☐ Client overwhelmed for extended time
- ☐ Hyper/hypo arousal persists
- ☐ Freeze response activated
☐ Feeder Memory
- ☐ Earlier memory driving current block
- ☐ Core belief preventing integration
- ☐ "This always happens" statements
- ☐ May need to target earlier memory
Before Using an Interweave, Try:
- ☐ Change BLS: Speed up/slow down, change direction, switch type
- ☐ Adjust set length: Longer for cognitive stuck, shorter for emotional flooding
- ☐ Add modality: Combine eye movements with tapping or tones
- ☐ Verbalization: Ask client to describe what they're seeing out loud
- ☐ Focus shift: "Just notice that sensation in your body"
Which Interweave to Use?
→ COGNITIVE
Irrational beliefs, self-blame, distorted thinking, stuck in "shoulds"
→ EMOTIONAL
Blocked emotions, intellectualizing, minimizing, unable to access feelings
→ SOMATIC
Body sensations stuck, frozen/fight/flight responses incomplete
→ ATTACHMENT/PARTS
Younger self visible, protective parts active, developmental wounds
Clinical Notes
Cognitive & Emotional Interweaves
Scripts for Thought-Based & Feeling-Based Blocks
Page 3 of 5
Client: ________________
Cognitive Interweaves — For irrational beliefs, self-blame, distorted thinking
Self-blame, shame
"Whose fault was it really?"
"If this happened to a child you know, would you blame them?"
"Who was the adult responsible?"
Present-moment confusion
"Is it over? Are you safe now?"
"Where are you right now?"
"What year is it? How old are you?"
"I should have..." thinking
"What choices did you have as a child?"
"What options were available at that age?"
"What would you tell a child in that situation?"
Emotional Interweaves — For blocked, minimized, or intellectualized emotions
Blocked/hidden emotions
"What would you want to say to them?"
"If your body could speak, what would it say?"
"What emotion is underneath that?"
Minimizing/dismissing
"It makes sense you would feel that way."
"Any child in that situation would feel [emotion]."
"That's a normal response."
Suppressed/forbidden feelings
"It's okay to feel angry about what happened."
"What would it be like to let yourself feel that?"
"You're allowed to feel sad/angry/scared."
After each interweave: "Go with that" + BLS set, then check what emerged
Interweave Tracking
| Set # | Stuck Pattern | Type Used | Response/Shift |
|---|---|---|---|
Somatic Interweaves
Scripts for Body-Based Processing Blocks
Page 4 of 5
Client: ________________
Use when body sensations persist, defensive responses are stuck, or trauma is held somatically.
"What does your body want to do right now?"
"If your hands could move freely, what would they do?"
"If your feet could move, where would they take you?"
"Let your body show me what it wants to do."
Allow micro-movements or imagined movements during BLS
Fight
"Push against my hands."
"What would you have said?"
"Let your arms do what they wanted to do."
Flight
"Imagine your legs running you to safety."
"Feel yourself getting away."
"Where would you run to?"
Freeze
"It's okay, you're safe to move now."
"Slowly start to feel your body again."
"Wiggle your fingers and toes."
"Feel your feet on the floor right now."
"Notice where your body touches the chair."
"Notice where your body feels calm or neutral."
"Can you feel your hands? Press them together."
"Imagine that tension/pain releasing with each breath."
"What color is that sensation? Imagine it flowing out."
"If that tightness could speak, what would it say?"
"Breathe into that area and let it soften."
Body Sensations Tracked
Attachment, Parts & Unmet Needs
Scripts for Developmental & Relational Wounds
Page 5 of 5
Client: ________________
Use when attachment wounds, younger parts, or developmental unmet needs are blocking processing.
"What does that younger part of you need to hear?"
"Can your adult self go comfort that child?"
"What would you want to tell your younger self?"
"Imagine holding that little one. What do they need?"
"Can you let them know they survived this?"
After: "Go with that image of comforting your younger self" + BLS
"What is this part trying to protect you from?"
"Can you thank this part for trying to keep you safe?"
"What is this part afraid will happen if you process this?"
"Can this part step back a little while we work?"
"What would this protector need to feel safe enough to let go?"
Acknowledge the positive intent before asking part to step back
"What did you need then that you didn't get?"
"Imagine receiving what you needed from a safe figure."
"What would it have been like to be protected/loved/seen?"
"Who do you wish had been there for you?"
"Imagine a nurturing figure providing what was missing."
"What would it feel like to receive that care now?"
"Picture someone safe intervening and protecting you."
"Imagine bringing that child to a place where they are loved."
"Let yourself receive what you always deserved."
Nurturing figure can be: therapist, older self, spiritual figure, imagined ideal parent, safe relative
Important:
Always follow interweaves with BLS. The goal is to provide just enough to restart processing, then step back and let the client's own adaptive system integrate. Less is more—interweaves are jump starts, not the engine.
Disclaimer: This material is compiled from published clinical protocols and peer-reviewed sources. It is intended as a reference for trained clinicians only and does not replace formal EMDR training, supervision, or clinical judgment. Not for distribution to clients. Sources: Shapiro (2018), EMDRIA Guidelines, WHO (2013), APA (2017).