What to Expect in Your First EMDR Therapy Phoenix Session: A Step-by-Step Guide in What I Do as a Certified EMDR Therapist

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Taking the first step to address your trauma and begin your healing journey can feel overwhelming and quite frankly kind of nerve wracking. You may be ready to take the next step but you might also be really nervous about what to expect. If you’re considering EMDR therapy, you might have questions like, “What will we do in the first session?” or, “Are we diving right into the darkest moments of my life?” So, let’s take a deep breath and walk through what happens in your first session (at least what a first session looks like with me as a certified EMDR Therapist here in Phoenix. Spoiler alert: It’s not what you think, and we’re not jumping straight into reprocessing trauma.

As a trauma therapist offering EMDR Therapy in Phoenix and EMDR Therapy in Tempe, I take creating in creating a safe, compassionate environment to support your healing very seriously. Here’s how we set the foundation in that very first session.

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1. Building a Foundation: Sharing Your Story

Your first session is all about setting the stage for healing. Think of it as a chance for us to get to know each other and for me to understand your unique experiences and needs. We’ll spend time discussing your personal history—the moments that shaped you—and how they connect to what’s happening for you now. This does not mean you have to share all the darkest memories, although many people want to in the first session. Some find this helpful while others feel it can be even more overwhelming.

So, here’s what I make a point of exploring with every new client:

• Personal History: You’ll share what you’re comfortable with about your past, including life events that might be a part of your current symptoms. This does not have to be all of your darkest traumas (although some people do like to cannon-ball into the pool) and can be at your pace and what you feel good about sharing in our first session. You are always the person in control here.

• Current Challenges: We’ll talk about the current experiences, triggers and symptoms that are impacting your daily life. Are you struggling with flashbacks? Do you feel stuck in cycles of anxiety or perfectionism? What’s making life feel heavy right now? This helps me understand what resources and skills might be helpful, specifically for you, as we move forward.

This step is about creating a roadmap for our work together. You don’t have to have everything figured out or share every detail in the first session—this is your space, and we go at your pace.

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2. Addressing Fears About Reprocessing

One of the biggest fears new clients have is that they’ll walk into the room and immediately have to relive their most painful memories. That’s not how EMDR therapy works. In fact, the first session isn’t about diving into the specific trauma memories.

We focus on:

• Understanding EMDR Therapy: I’ll explain how EMDR works, from targeting traumatic memories to helping your brain process them in a safe way that feels manageable and approachable. You’ll learn what to expect as we move through the phases of therapy and how this process can be curated just for you and your needs.

• Pacing: We’ll set the pace together. You’re in control of the process, and we’ll only move into reprocessing trauma when you feel ready. The analogy I often use is that I am a GPS offering potential route options and noting the speed limit and speed checks ahead. You are always in the driver’s seat, deciding if we need to pull off the highway, shut off the radio or speed up.

This isn’t about rushing or overwhelming you. It’s about creating a sense of safety and trust. After all, when we experience trauma our bodies and brains become dysregulated. The purpose is to be able to re-process that dysregulation from as much of a stable and secure place as we can, so we can have the lasting impact you’re looking for. If you want to understand more about the 8 Phases of Re-Processing and how this works, check out this blog article for more information, but again know that we will not rush into this.

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Photo Description: A close-up shot of a construction worker wearing a black long-sleeve shirt and black shorts. The focus is on their tool belt, which holds various tools like screwdrivers, a measuring tape, and a leather pouch. Just as a construction worker needs tools to build a stable foundation, individuals undergoing EMDR Therapy in Phoenix and EMDR Therapy in Tempe develop the tools needed to process trauma, regulate emotions, and create a stronger sense of self.

3. Developing Tools for Today’s Triggers

Trauma symptoms don’t take a break just because you’ve started therapy. That’s why we’ll spend part of your first session, as time allows, creating real tools and techniques to help you navigate triggers, nightmares, or flashbacks that come up during the week.

Some tools we might explore include:

• Grounding Techniques: Learn ways to anchor yourself in the present moment when triggers arise.

• Breathing Exercises: Practice calming your nervous system through simple, effective breathwork.

• A Visualization Tool: There are a couple we can explore based off of time and need, but the most popular with most clients are a Secure Place visualization you can turn to when you feel overwhelmed, a mental space Container in which you can “store” things that are not serving you at the moment or a visualization practice that can help with more somatic based issues, known as the Spiral Technique or Healing Stream of Light.

These tools aren’t one-size-fits-all. Together, we’ll discover what works best for you and create a toolkit you can carry with you outside of sessions.

4. Creating a Partnership in Healing

The first session is about building trust and creating a partnership. This is your journey, and my role is to support you in each step. By the end of our first session, it is my goal that you have a clearer understanding of what EMDR therapy looks like, the next steps we can take together and at least 1-2 tools to help you feel grounded between sessions.

TL;DR – Key Take Aways on What to Expect in Your First EMDR Therapy Session in Phoenix or Tempe

Starting EMDR therapy can feel overwhelming, but your first session is all about building a strong foundation—not diving straight into trauma.

🔹 Sharing Your Story – We’ll explore your history, current challenges, and set a personalized roadmap for healing at your own pace.
🔹 Addressing Fears About Reprocessing – You won’t be forced to relive painful memories immediately. We’ll discuss how EMDR works and set a pace that feels safe for you.
🔹 Developing Tools for Triggers – You’ll learn grounding techniques, breathwork, and visualizations to help manage anxiety, flashbacks, or emotional distress.
🔹 Creating a Partnership in Healing – Therapy is a collaborative process where you stay in control. By the end of the first session, you’ll have clarity on the next steps and practical tools for self-regulation.

EMDR Therapy Phoenix EMDR Therapy Tempe - Kandace Ledergerber (she/her). Picture description: White female with short curly hair smiling at the viewer in a field with greenery, wearing a navy blue tank top with sunflowers

Taking the Next Step

Starting EMDR therapy is a courageous decision. It’s natural to feel nervous about what to expect, but I’m here to guide you at every turn. In our first session, we’ll take the time to work on building a solid foundation, ensuring you feel safe, supported, and in control.

If you’re ready to take that first step, I’d be honored to walk with you. I offer EMDR Therapy in Tempe and EMDR Therapy in Phoenix, both in person and online. Feel free to schedule your free 15-minute consultation today where we can discover if I’m the best fit for what you are looking for.

My Specialties Include EMDR Therapy Tempe, EMDR Therapy Phoenix EMDR Therapy Intensives, Anxiety, Sexual Abuse, and Cycles of Family Trauma.

If you found this article helpful, check out EMDR Therapy in Phoenix & Tempe - How Trauma Triggers Sneak Up & What to Do About It and these guided visual meditations that I use as EMDR Therapy Resources in my clinical work!