EMDR Cognitive Interweaves & Blocked Processing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'looping' mean in the context of EMDR reprocessing?
- The client repeatedly returns to the same material without measurable change (Correct answer)
- The therapist repeats the same bilateral stimulation set multiple times
- The client moves from one trauma to another without completing any
- The therapist cycles through multiple targets in a single session
Correct answer: The client repeatedly returns to the same material without measurable change
Looping refers to a pattern where the client's associations cycle repeatedly through the same images, thoughts, or emotions without progression or reduction in disturbance.
Question 2: A 'safety interweave' in EMDR is most appropriate when:
- The client remains convinced they are in danger even though the threat is past (Correct answer)
- The client blames themselves for the traumatic event
- The client feels they had no choices during the trauma
- The client's SUD reaches zero but the PC validity remains low
Correct answer: The client remains convinced they are in danger even though the threat is past
A safety interweave addresses the client's perception that danger still exists in the present, helping them distinguish between past threat and current safety.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of a 'choices' interweave?
- 'What choices do you have now as an adult that you didn't have as a child?' (Correct answer)
- 'How old were you when this happened, and was it your fault?'
- 'Notice that you are safe here in this room right now.'
- 'What do you want your life to look like five years from now?'
Correct answer: 'What choices do you have now as an adult that you didn't have as a child?'
A choices interweave highlights the expanded options available to the client as an adult, contrasting their current autonomy with the helplessness experienced during the trauma.
Question 4: What is a 'blocking belief' in EMDR therapy?
- An unresolved maladaptive belief that prevents full processing of a traumatic memory (Correct answer)
- A negative cognition selected at the beginning of EMDR targeting
- A therapist's preconception about the client's trauma history
- A belief installed during the installation phase of EMDR
Correct answer: An unresolved maladaptive belief that prevents full processing of a traumatic memory
A blocking belief is a deeply held maladaptive cognition that prevents the memory network from fully processing, often requiring a targeted interweave or additional preparation work.
Question 5: When a client's SUDS score stays the same across multiple sets of BLS with no association shifts, the therapist should consider all of the following EXCEPT:
- Immediately installing a positive cognition using the VoC scale (Correct answer)
- Changing the BLS modality or speed
- Introducing a cognitive interweave
- Checking for feeder memories or blocking beliefs
Correct answer: Immediately installing a positive cognition using the VoC scale
Installing a positive cognition (Phase 5) before processing is complete is contraindicated; the correct responses to blocked processing are adjusting BLS, using interweaves, and exploring feeder memories.
Question 6: A 'feeder memory' in EMDR refers to:
- An earlier memory that is blocking the processing of the current target (Correct answer)
- A future-oriented memory used in the future template protocol
- A memory accessed during the resourcing phase for stabilization
- A memory identified during the client history phase but not yet targeted
Correct answer: An earlier memory that is blocking the processing of the current target
A feeder memory is an earlier, often more foundational, traumatic memory that is blocking full processing of the current target memory and must be addressed first.
Question 7: After using a cognitive interweave, if the client shows no new associations, the therapist should:
- Try a different interweave or adjust the bilateral stimulation (Correct answer)
- End the session and return the client to a safe place
- Proceed directly to Phase 5 installation
- Request a psychiatric consultation before continuing
Correct answer: Try a different interweave or adjust the bilateral stimulation
If one interweave does not stimulate new processing, the therapist should try a different interweave approach or modify the BLS before concluding the session or moving to installation.
EMDR Cognitive Interweaves & Blocked Processing 2
What does the term 'looping' mean in the context of EMDR reprocessing?