PSYCHOLOGYT LS

EMDR Cognitions
British English
EMDR Cognitions
Description
The EMDR Cognitions worksheet is a list of negative and positive cognitions for eye movement desensitisation and
reprocessing (EMDR). A negative cognition is paired with a target image as a ‘start point’ for EMDR processing. Clients
are also asked for a desired positive cognition, whether or not they believe in its validity. By this method clients are
helped to process information in their trauma memory network (of which the negative cognition is a part), and to
integrate it with more adaptive information (of which the positive cognition is a part). Cognitions as EMDR targets fall
into four categories: self-defectiveness, responsibility, safety / vulnerability, control / choice.

Instructions
Many clients initially find it difficult to identify the negative cognitions (NC’s) which are necessary part of the standard
EMDR protocol. Some clients find it easier to grasp the concept when presented with a selection of negative beliefs.
Clients can be asked to “think about your index trauma and look through this list - tell me if anything jumps out at you”.

References
Shapiro, F. (2001). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (2nd edition). New York: Guilford
Press.

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EMDR Cognitions

Negative Cognitions Positive Cognitions

Self-Defectiveness
I am not good enough I am good enough
I am a bad person I am a good person
I don’t deserve love I deserve love
I am not lovable I am lovable
I am inadequate I am adequate
I am worthless I have value
I am weak I am strong
I am permanently damaged I am healthy (or can be)
I am shameful I have honor

Responsibility
I should have done something I did the best I could
I should have known better I do the best I can
I should have done more I did my best
I did something wrong I learned from it
It is my fault I did my best
With responsibility beliefs you can often ask:
“If that were true, what would it say about you?”

Safety / Vulnerability
I am not safe I am safe now
I can’t trust anyone I can choose who to trust
I am in danger It’s over, I am safe now
I can’t protect myself I can (learn to) take care of myself
I am going to die I am safe now, I am alive
It is not ok to feel or show my emotions I can safely feel and show my emotions

Control / Choice
I am not in control I am in control now
I am powerless I have choices now
I am helpless I control my destiny
I am weak I am strong
I cannot be trusted I can be trusted
I cannot trust myself I can trust myself (or learn to)

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Unless otherwise stated, this document is Copyright © 2018 Psychology Tools. All rights reserved.

PSYCHOLOGYT LS Copyright © 2018 Psychology Tools. All rights reserved.