My Step-by-Step for EMDR in Crisis Work

A free quick reference guide for therapists

Crisis work is some of the hardest work we do. Clients walk into session flooded with fear, flashbacks, or overwhelm, and it can feel daunting to know where to start.

As EMDR therapists, we know early intervention matters. But many clinicians hesitate to use EMDR in those first days or weeks after a crisis because they are not sure how.

This guide walks you through the exact process I use when applying EMDR right after a crisis. It is simple, contained, and designed to help clients release what is stuck so they can begin to breathe again.

There are specialized crisis protocols you can get trained in, and I highly recommend them. However if you do not have that training yet, this guide will give you a safe, clear framework to use right away.

What you will get inside:

  • A step-by-step flow for crisis EMDR sessions

  • Key therapist prompts you can use in session

  • Guidance on working with fragments and the whole event.