EMDR Progress Note: Session Tracking for BLS, SUD, & Cognitions

This professional EMDR Progress Note is a specialized clinical documentation tool designed to ensure high-fidelity adherence to the 8-phase Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) protocol. The layout provides a structured framework for tracking the critical mechanics of a reprocessing session, including the specific Type of Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) utilized—whether auditory, tactile, eye movements, or a combination. By requiring the forensic documentation of the Target Memory, Image, Emotions, and Body Sensations, the worksheet ensures that clinicians maintain a precise record of the memory network currently being addressed within the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model.

The structured layout is designed to facilitate empirical monitoring of treatment outcomes through the systematic recording of Subjective Units of Distress (SUD). By documenting SUD levels at both the “Beginning” and “End” of the session on a 0–10 scale, clinicians can visualize the desensitization curve and determine the effectiveness of the current intervention. Furthermore, the note includes dedicated fields for Negative Cognitions (NC) and the Positive Cognition (PC) installed, allowing for a clear qualitative and quantitative assessment of the client’s cognitive shift. This comprehensive tracking is essential for professional case formulation and ensures that subsequent Phase 8 (Reevaluation) sessions are grounded in accurate, real-time data.

This clinical resource draws significant inspiration from the standard protocol documentation established by Francine Shapiro and the professional case management forms refined by Marilyn Luber. By operationalizing the complexities of trauma reprocessing into a concise, one-page progress note, the worksheet assists practitioners in meeting the highest standards of trauma-informed care and legal documentation. This process is foundational for ensuring treatment continuity, allowing the therapist to monitor longitudinal progress and adjust the treatment plan to meet the client’s evolving clinical needs.

How This Worksheet Can Be Used

Clinical Documentation:
Therapists use this form as their primary “reprocessing note” to record the specific details of Phase 4 (Desensitization) and Phase 5 (Installation). It provides a clear audit trail of the SUD shifts and the specific BLS methods applied.

Treatment Continuity:
This tool is utilized to bridge sessions. By reviewing the “End of Session SUD” and the “PC Installed” status from the previous note, the clinician can immediately identify if a target memory was cleared or if it remains the primary focus for the current session.

Somatic Monitoring:
Clinicians use the “Body Sensations” fields to track the client’s physiological responses during processing. This data is vital for identifying somatic “stuck points” that may require specific sensory interweaves or grounding adjustments.

Benefits of the EMDR Progress Note Worksheet

• Ensures systematic documentation of the specific BLS type and session duration.
• Quantifies clinical progress through standardized 0–10 SUD monitoring.
• Tracks the transition from trauma-based Negative Cognitions to adaptive Positive Cognitions.
• Supports the AIP model by documenting the multi-sensory components of memory networks.
• Facilitates professional case management and longitudinal progress tracking.
• Includes essential demographic and scheduling fields for a complete clinical record.

References

• Shapiro, F. (2017). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
• Luber, M. (2009). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy Scripted Protocols. Springer Publishing Company.
• Leeds, A. M. (2016). A Guide to the Standard EMDR Therapy Protocols for Clinicians, Supervisors, and Consultants. Springer Publishing Company.
• Maxfield, L. (2009). EMDR treatment of recent adverse experiences. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research. (Context on documenting session outcomes).