EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements, tapping, or audio tones—to help clients process and reframe distressing memories, thoughts, and negative core beliefs. By tapping into the brain’s natural healing system, EMDR facilitates deep emotional and cognitive shifts. This happens through a structured eight-phase model, including history-taking, preparation, identifying target memories, reprocessing with bilateral stimulation, and installing positive beliefs to support long-term healing.
In Phase 2 of EMDR, the preparation phase, the therapist assesses the client’s readiness for EMDR by evaluating their current state, sharing clear expectations on what EMDR entails, and equipping them with grounding techniques. This entire process is also known as resourcing. This article will help you understand what resourcing is and how you can use it well in your EMDR practice.
What is Resourcing in EMDR?
Resourcing is the preparatory work done before the trauma processing begins allowing for reduced risk of overwhelm and smoother and safer trauma processing in later phases. Resourcing is especially crucial with clients who have complex trauma, dissociative symptoms, or low affect tolerance because this will help them develop internal coping tools and emotional regulation strategies that accompany them through the rest of their session and for daily life afterwards. This mainly occurs in Phase 2 of the EMDR journey, which contains a total of 8 phases. Phase 1 is more about history-taking and treatment planning, but Phase 2 builds on that by building trust and rapport with the client in order to evaluate their readiness for the EMDR journey to begin. Therefore, the role of resourcing is to ensure client safety and stabilization.
Key Resourcing Techniques in EMDR
Since resourcing is focused on preparing the client for the difficult experience of reprocessing distressing memories, a huge part of resourcing involves equipping them with emotional self-regulation tools! Here is a list of some key techniques:
- Safe Place Exercise: This exercise encourages clients to create an internal sanctuary for grounding. You walk them through visualizing a safe place and encourage them to go there mentally when feeling overwhelmed.
- Container Exercise: This technique teaches clients to visualize a mental container where they can put any distressing emotions inside when needed.
- Nurturing Figures & Protective Figures: In this technique, you introduce clients to supportive inner resources that can come from their imagination or their own trusted relationships. It can be any figure that makes them feel safe, in control, connected, or strong.
- Calm Place & Relaxation Techniques: This exercise is similar to safe place as it encourages visualization and engaging the senses. Other relaxation techniques to add, though, include diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness exercises, and counting.
- Bilateral Stimulation for Positive Resource Installation: Although bilateral stimulation is typically used starting in Phase 4, introducing it here will help them understand what it is. It pairs the physical action of alternating stimulation to both sides of the body with installing positive imagery or beliefs instead of the distressing ones. Teaching them this will strengthen their coping mechanisms outside of therapy as well!
When and How to Use Resourcing with Clients
Before beginning trauma processing in EMDR, you must first assess whether a client needs additional resourcing to ensure emotional stability and safety. Some clients, especially those experiencing dissociation or high emotional reactivity, may require targeted preparation using tailored techniques such as grounding, imagery, or breathwork. Therapists should adapt resourcing strategies to suit each client’s unique needs and coping capacity. For example, clients with dissociation would benefit from the nurturing or protective figures technique or the container exercise. For clients with high emotional reactivity, they would benefit from calm or safe place visualization and diaphragmatic breathing. Indicators that a client is sufficiently resourced include increased emotional regulation, reduced anxiety when discussing distressing topics, and the ability to access calming tools independently.
Common Challenges in Resourcing and How to Address Them
It’s important to anticipate the common challenges that therapists and clients experience during the resourcing process. Here are some of them alongside with how to address them:
- A client may struggle with visualization. An alternative approach would be to engage their senses, asking them what they might feel in their body instead of what they might see. You could also engage their memories instead of imagination.
- Some therapists experience client resistance to resourcing. In this situation, you’d want to address the client's skepticism or fear towards the process. Explore what the root of the resistance may be, normalize the experience, validate their hesitancy, and revisit the purpose of resourcing.
- The client might experience overwhelming emotions despite resourcing. In this situation, you should be prepared to stabilize the client before proceeding. This means using grounding techniques such as asking them to name 5 things they see, 4 they can touch, 3 they can hear, etc. Engaging in some of the other techniques described earlier in the article would work as well. From there, remind them that emotional flooding is not failure. Encourage them and take a moment to readjust the plan.
The Long-Term Benefits of Resourcing
One of the best parts of EMDR is the long-term benefits that last beyond the trauma reprocessing, and a large reason for this is the foundational work of resourcing. Clients who develop grounding techniques, safe place visualizations, and emotional regulation tools often report improved coping skills and greater emotional resilience in daily life. These strategies not only support EMDR sessions but can be integrated into general therapy, providing clients with practical tools for managing anxiety, emotional triggers, or overwhelm. For example, a client who initially struggles with panic attacks can learn to use bilateral tapping and breathwork outside of sessions, contributing to fewer panic episodes and greater confidence in stressful situations. A client with a history of dissociation could use guided imagery to help them stay present and connected in both general therapy and daily relationships. Resourcing, when used intentionally, becomes a lasting skill set that empowers clients in their healing journey—both within and beyond EMDR!
Conclusion
Resourcing is a vital part of EMDR because it lays the groundwork for safe and effective trauma processing. It not only supports clients during sessions, but it also equips them with lasting tools for emotional regulation and resilience. For therapists, consistently practicing and refining resourcing techniques strengthens the therapeutic process and enhances client outcomes. To deepen your skills, you can explore our resources page and consider taking one of our advanced trainings that focuses on resourcing or refreshing your EMDR skills.
EMDR Resources
EMDR Basic Training
Advanced EMDR Training