Attachment (Relational) EMDR Resourcing

Healing from trauma is a journey, and for many, the first step is not immediately processing traumatic memories but rather strengthening the internal resources needed for resilience and safety. In Attachment-Focused EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Phase 2—Resource Building—is a crucial stage that helps lay the foundation for successful trauma processing.

Why Focus on Resource Building Before Trauma Processing?

For some clients, moving too quickly into trauma reprocessing can feel overwhelming, particularly for those with attachment wounds, complex trauma, or dissociative tendencies. Some clients may not have a specific "traumatic" incident that has led to their mental health struggles, but rather, a lack of secure attachment patterns during childhood that created disruptions in how they relate to themselves or others. Strengthening internal resources first can help:

• Increase Emotional Regulation – Cultivating a sense of calm and stability before engaging with difficult memories.

• Enhance a Felt Sense of Safety – Developing an internal sense of security through guided imagery and positive neural pathways.

• Strengthen Internal Support Systems – Accessing nurturing figures and ideal caregivers internally, especially for those who lacked these in early life.

• Improve Dual Awareness – Practicing Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) with resource-building techniques to develop comfort with the EMDR process itself.

Key Resources in Phase 2 of Attachment-Focused EMDR

During this phase, clients engage in guided exercises (resources) that reinforce internal strength and resilience. Some of these may include:

• Peaceful Place – A guided visualization exercise that helps create an internal refuge of calm and security, reinforced through BLS.

• Nurturing Figures – Identifying and strengthening an internalized sense of support from compassionate figures, whether real, imagined, or symbolic.

• Protector Figures – Establishing internal protectors who can provide a sense of safety when navigating difficult emotions or experiences.

• Ideal Caregiver – Constructing an image of a caregiver who offers unconditional support and understanding, filling in the gaps left by early attachment wounds.

• Wise Adult Self – Encouraging the development of a strong, compassionate internal voice that can guide and reassure during challenging moments.

How Practicing BLS with Resources Can Help

Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) can be used not only in trauma processing but also in strengthening positive internal states (calm, happy, confident, safe, etc). BLS involves rhythmic, alternating stimulation of both sides of the body, typically through eye movements, tactile tapping, or auditory tones. This back-and-forth activation is believed to mimic the natural processing that occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, helping the brain reprocess distressing memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity. In the resourcing phase of EMDR, BLS is used to enhance the felt sense of positive emotions. Engaging in BLS while focusing on resources can:

• Reinforce positive neural connections

• Enhance the your ability to feel regulated, clear, and calm in moments of distress

• Build tolerance for later trauma processing

• Increase self-trust and internal stability

Taking the Time to Build a Strong Foundation

For many clients, spending time in Phase 2 of EMDR before moving into trauma processing is not a delay but an essential part of healing. Prioritizing resource-building allows for greater readiness, resilience, and a sense of empowerment when it comes time to process difficult memories. The stronger the foundation, the safer and more effective the journey through healing can be.

If you’re considering EMDR therapy and wondering whether a focus on resource-building may be helpful for you, reach out to learn more about how this process can support your healing journey.