Post 7. You've Signed up for ART/ EMDR or Another Trauma Reprocessing Therapy-- Now What?
- Dr. Meghan Clifford
- Sep 9
- 5 min read
Updated: 13 hours ago
Starting ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can feel intimidating and/or exciting—for adults and children alike. With preparation and supportive guidance, you or your child can feel more prepared to engage in this piece of the healing process.
This guide uses four key principles—Name the Hope, Empower Choice, Reduce Worry/Uncertainty, and Plan Safety Signals—to structure preparation and support for both adults and kids.
A note:
It’s important to know that the types of trauma therapy that involve memory reprocessing (such as ART, EMDR, TF-CBT, CPT, etc.) are not required and may not be helpful for everyone. These approaches can be powerful tools, and healing is not dependent on a single model of therapy. In the first weeks after trauma, if you and your therapist decide to use one of these approaches, it’s important to also focus on staying grounded in the present, surrounded by helping your brain feel safe enough, supported, and connected to those around you.
Many people notice short-term changes after trauma—feeling jumpy, trouble sleeping, more tears, or certain images popping back in their head. These are common brain responses, and can still feel really distressing. In the beginning weeks, safety, connection, present-orientation, and support matter. Reprocessing sometimes comes in the beginning, sometimes comes later, and sometimes not at all.
1. Name the Hope
Get clear on what you’re hoping therapy will help with.
For Children: Let them lead. Ask what they hope will feel better—like fewer nightmares, less worry, or more calm. If they’re not sure, you can gently name what you’ve noticed. Normalize nervous feelings.
This might sound like,
“You’ve been having nightmares which makes it hard for your body to rest. We’re going to meet with someone who has ideas for helping your brain let go of those.”
For Adults: Share with your therapist what feels hardest right now.
This might sound like:
“I keep having the same scene pop back in my head, and the feelings come right with it. It feels like I’m back there when it’s happening. It’s exhausting.”
2. Empower Choice
You and your child both need to know: you can pause, stop, or pivot at any time. The therapist’s role is to walk you through the therapy protocol and your role is to let them know what’s going on inside of you, what feels okay, overwhelming, and when something feels off.
Another important aspect is for you to decide if you want to bring comfort items, coping tools, or grounding objects if helpful.
For Children: Let your child know they get a say. Give them choices. Encourage bringing a favorite toy, drink, or blanket if it helps.
This might sound like:
“If you want to take a break or stop, just let me or the therapist know. You get to decide.”
“How will you know if you want to stop?”
For Adults: Get curious about the signs your body tells you when something feels “too much,” “not enough,” or just off. Talk with your therapist about how you’ll know when you might need a pause or to stop and how you’ll let them know what you need.
This might sound like:
Do I have both feet in the present moment right now? Maybe 50%. Okay, how can I get closer to 100%?”
“If it feels overwhelming, I’ll say pause and use a grounding object to remind me I’m here now, not back there.”
3. Reduce Worry / Uncertainty
Predictability calms the brain. Knowing what to expect takes away a lot of fear.
For Children: Explain what sessions may include. Use simple, concrete language.
This may sound like:
“Sometimes we’ll sit quietly. Sometimes you’ll follow the therapist’s hand, hold a buzzy toy, or look at a special light. These are ways we think will help your brain feel better.”
For Adults: Ask your therapist to walk you through what a session looks like and why it works.
This may sound like:
“The therapist will guide me through eye or body movements while I think about certain memories or sensations. These movements may help my brain process so the memory feels less overwhelming. I can pause or stop anytime.”
4. Plan Signals
Have a clear way to let the therapist know when you or your child need a pause, to stop for the day, or to pivot into something else.
For Children: Help them recognize their body’s clues—tight tummy, fidgeting, saying “I don’t know.” Pick a signal together, like raising a hand or squeezing a toy. Remind them their therapist will also be watching for signs.
This may sound like:
“If it feels too hard, or if your tummy feels tight or you feel stuck, you can squeeze your toy or raise your hand, and we will pause.”
For Adults: Notice your own early warning signs of overwhelm—such as feeling disconnected, shaky, frozen, or flooded with emotion. Ask your therapist what they'll be looking for as well. Share them with your therapist and agree on a way to pause or stop if they come up.
This may sound like:
"I know I can expect myself to feel some distress. If I start feeling foggy, frozen, or like I’m fully back in the memory, I’ll say ‘pause’ so I can ground before continuing.”
Extra Supportive Strategies
Stay Present and Collaborative: Parents—join check-ins, share history, and show support while letting the therapist guide the process. Advocate for your kids if something feels good or off.
Practice Patience: Warming up to therapy can take time. There’s no rush.
Reinforce Coping at Home: Keep routines calm, talk without pressure, and use the therapist’s feedback to guide comfort strategies.
Key Takeaways
Name the Hope: Know what you’d like therapy to help with.
Empower Choice: You’re always in charge of pause, stop, and pivot.
Reduce Worry: Predictability lowers anxiety.
Plan Safety Signals: Clear knowing & signals = safety in the room.
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