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My 5 Favorite Resourcing Techniques
- Aug 25, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 5
As an EMDR CIT, I say this all the time: 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗺𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴!!
Resourcing (Phase 2) is a huge part of the 8 phase EMDR Process. Skipping over it too quickly can lead to increase risk of abreactions, increased risk of dissociation during processing and ineffective treatment. Especially in cases of complex trauma.
Some of my favorite resourcing exercises I use as an EMDR Therapist to promote stabilization include:
1. Calm Place
2. Inner Advisor
3. The Light Stream
4. CIPOS (Constant Installation of Present Orientation to Safety from #EMDRToolbox by Jim Knipe)
5. Imaginal Nurturing (Aprile Steele's scripts that promote the ability to nurture and develop a secure self, especially in cases of developemental trauma.)
Essential Tools for Confident & Effective EMDR Therapy
Want to strengthen your use of Resource Development & Installation (RDI) and other essential EMDR techniques? The EMDR Coach Tools provide practical guidance, visual aids, and ready-to-use templates to help you stay grounded, organized, and effective in your sessions. Whether you're working on resourcing, treatment planning, or complex case navigation, this toolkit is designed to support you every step of the way.
If you're an EMDR-trained therapist seeking support, clarity, or confidence, you're not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it on your own. Whether you're working toward EMDR Certification, returning after time away, or facing complex trauma cases, individualized consultation can make all the difference.
Looking for practical guidance?
Resourcing is just one part of the EMDR journey. If you're building a strong foundation, it's helpful to understand the full EMDR process—and what to watch out for along the way. These companion reads will guide you deeper into the method.
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About the Author
Dana Carretta-Stein is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and founder of Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling, PLLC, and Carretta Consulting in Scarsdale, NY. She specializes in clinical psychotherapy to treat children, adolescentsand adults with anxiety, behavior and trauma difficulties.
She is a certified EMDR therapist and EMDR Approved Consultant, specializing in complex trauma and dissociation. Dana is also a business marketing coach for wellness practitioners who are looking to build and grow their private practice.
About Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling
Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling offers therapy for children, teens, and adults. We provide in-person sessions in Scarsdale and Westchester, New York, and virtual therapy across NY, NJ, CO, CT, and FL.
Our work focuses on helping you understand your experiences with compassion, not judgment.
We support clients navigating:
Read Relevant Blogs
Further Learning & Resources
Product Highlight: EMDR Coach Treatment Planning Workbook
If EMDR session planning feels overwhelming, it often starts with unclear treatment planning.
The EMDR Coach Treatment Planning Workbook is a structured, downloadable EMDR resource designed to help you organize cases, identify targets, and create clear direction for sessions.
Instead of guessing, you can:
Build structured treatment plans
Reduce in-session decision fatigue
Feel more confident in your clinical choices
This is more than just a workbook.
It is a practical EMDR therapy tool and system that supports both planning and session clarity.
Supporting Tool: EMDR Therapy Progress Journal
If EMDR therapy notes feel overwhelming, having a structured system can change everything.
The EMDR Therapy Progress Journal is a complementary, downloadable EMDR resource resource that helps you:
Track session flow
Monitor progress
Identify patterns
Together, these tools help you move from:
👉 Overthinking → clarity
👉 Guessing → structure
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