Reevaluation at the Start of Each Session

Begin every new EMDR session by checking whether last session’s gains held — and what emerged in between.

Why it works

Processing continues between sessions: new associations, dreams, and somatic shifts are common as the memory network integrates newly linked material. Reevaluation surfaces this between-session processing, confirms that previous targets are truly resolved (not just temporarily suppressed), and identifies what to target next. Skipping reevaluation risks repeating work that already resolved or missing material that emerged since the last session.

How to do it

1. At the start of each session, return to the previous target memory and check the SUD and VOC.
2. Ask: "Have you noticed anything related — dreams, intrusions, body sensations — since last time?"
3. If the previous target is fully clear (SUD = 0, VOC = 7), document it and select the next target.
4. If distress has returned, resume processing before moving on.
5. Keep a brief between-session journal of any related material to report at reevaluation.

Evidence

Reevaluation is Phase 8 of the standard EMDR protocol and is required in all validated EMDR training. Its rationale — that between-session consolidation continues — aligns with sleep-dependent memory consolidation research. (clinical)

Reevaluation as a distinct phase is clinically mandated but not separately trialed; its function is part of the overall protocol structure.

Sources

• Walker (2017), "Why We Sleep" (general reference for sleep-dependent memory consolidation)

Common mistake

Assuming last session’s SUD = 0 reading is permanent and jumping to a new target without checking — distress that seemed resolved sometimes resurfaces as adjacent material comes to light.