Just finished an intense EMDR session—and now you’re staring at a blank screen.
What do you actually include? The target memory? SUDs, VoC, body sensations? All of it?
Writing EMDR notes can feel like a lot. They’re not your usual therapy notes. EMDR therapy notes have to be clinical, compliant, and detailed enough for audits or insurance reviews.
They need to capture shifts, emotions, and interventions—clearly and accurately.
In this post, we’ll walk through what to include (and how to make it simpler).
EMDR sessions can be powerful. But without good notes, it’s easy to lose track of what happened—or what needs to happen next. Detailed notes give you a clear record for future reference, help monitor treatment outcomes, and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Introduction to EMDR Therapy and Documentation
EMDR therapy, short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a structured approach that helps people process and heal from traumatic memories.
EMDR therapy has eight clear phases, each with a specific role in the therapeutic process—starting with history taking and ending with re-evaluation. As clients move through these phases, staying organized is key.
That’s where strong EMDR documentation comes in. It helps mental health professionals track EMDR progress, monitor client progress, and make sure each session builds on the last.
Phases of EMDR Therapy and Progress
EMDR therapy includes eight structured phases. Each one builds on the last and supports the overall therapeutic process.
It starts with history taking and treatment planning—this is where you gather background details and define clear goals.
Then, the therapy moves through these key stages:
- Preparation
- Assessment
- Desensitization
- Installation
- Body scan
- Closure
- Re-evaluation
During these phases, you’ll often use tools like bilateral stimulation and cognitive interweaves. These help clients process traumatic memories and shift negative beliefs that may be holding them back.
Throughout this process, EMDR progress notes are essential. They let you track EMDR progress, document client responses, and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
To do this well, you need to know exactly what to include in the note—and that’s where the core EMDR note components come in.
Core EMDR Note Components
Not sure what actually belongs in an EMDR note? Here’s a breakdown of the essentials most therapists include. These pieces help capture the clinical flow, document the client's experience, and provide detailed information—without going overboard.
Including the client's subjective experiences and the therapist's observations ensures a complete and comprehensive record of each session.
1. Target Memory
What memory was processed? Target memories often involve disturbing events that have impacted the client. Include brief details like who/what/when. You don’t need the full backstory—just the memory that was activated.
Example: “Argument with father at age 9 over a broken plate.”
2. Negative & Positive Cognitions
Clients often identify a negative self belief tied to the memory—like “I’m powerless.” It’s usually linked to early experiences or trauma.
The goal is to replace it with a positive belief, like “I can stand up for myself.”
This shift is key to EMDR documentation, especially when using the VoC (Validity of Cognition) rating to track how the new belief starts to feel more true.
NC: “I’m powerless.” PC: “I can stand up for myself.”
3. SUDs & VoC Ratings
Note these before and after processing:
- SUDs (Subjective Units of Distress, 0–10): How disturbing was the memory?
- VoC (1–7): How true did the client feel the positive belief was?
SUDs: 8 → 1 VoC: 3 → 6
4. Body Sensations
Where did they feel it in the body? This matters in EMDR, as body sensations include physical sensations experienced during the session.
Example: “Tightness in chest, tension in jaw.”
5. Type of Bilateral Stimulation
What technique did you use? (Eye movements, tapping, auditory tones?)
Note how the client responded.
Example: “Used eye movements—client followed well with no distress.”
6. Session Responses & Observations
Track emotions, client's thoughts, insights, shifts, or blocks during desensitization. Use quotes if possible.
“Client said, ‘It’s not my fault’ during round 4 and began crying.”
7. Desensitization Status
Did the SUDs drop to 0–1? Was the memory fully processed, or partially? This section documents the desensitization process, noting observable reactions, coping mechanisms, and the reduction in emotional intensity as the traumatic memory is processed.
Example: “Target memory desensitized. Client reported calm and neutral feelings.”
8. Closure
How was the session closed? Did you use resourcing or grounding techniques?
“Completed Safe Place visualization. Client left session calm and grounded.”
9. Re-evaluation Plan
Note what you’ll check in the next session or what the next target might be, as this information will guide future sessions.
“Next session: re-evaluate SUDs and begin processing memory linked to school bullying.”
Best Practices for EMDR Notes
Writing EMDR notes can feel like juggling clinical detail and therapeutic intuition. But with a few simple habits, you can make the process faster, clearer, and more useful—for both you and your client. Learning to write notes efficiently is a key part of clinical documentation, helping you track progress, ensure compliance, and facilitate effective treatment.
Here’s what top therapists and note-taking guides recommend:
1. Start with a consistent template
Having a structured note format (with space for SUDs, VoC, NC/PC, and body sensations) takes the guesswork out of writing. You don’t have to recreate the wheel every session.
Tip: Use the same layout for each client. Using an EMDR note template ensures consistency and efficiency, making your notes clean and trackable over time.
2. Don’t aim for perfect—capture what matters
You don’t need every single word from the session. Instead, provide a brief summary of the most important session elements. Focus on:
- What target was processed
- How the client responded (emotionally and physically)
- Key shifts or insights
- Interventions and outcomes
3. Use real-time anchors
Take light notes during the session—especially during desensitization rounds. Use shorthand, initials, or a quick scale to log SUD drops or emotional spikes.
Example: “R3 – SUD 5 → 3, said ‘I’m not alone.’”
4. Document scales
Always record SUDs and VoC ratings. These aren’t just numbers—they show measurable change and help justify medical necessity.
5. Review and wrap up notes soon after session
Try not to leave EMDR notes for later in the week. Capture them while the details are still fresh—you’ll save time and improve accuracy.
6. Use secure digital tools
Whether it’s Supanote or another platform, use HIPAA-compliant software to store your notes and streamline repetitive work. DAP notes can also be used to structure EMDR documentation, providing a clear framework for recording session data, assessment, and planning.
A good EMDR note doesn’t need to be long. It needs to be clear, consistent, and clinically meaningful. These small habits will save time, reduce stress, and keep you focused on what matters most—your client.
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Sample EMDR Therapy Note Template
Below is a structured template designed to help clinicians document EMDR sessions clearly and efficiently. This format aligns with best practices in EMDR treatment and meets clinical, ethical, and insurance documentation standards.
Client Name/ID:Date:Session #:Session Duration:EMDR Phase: Desensitization
Treatment Phases Addressed:
Desensitization phase completed; assessment and installation phases reviewed as needed.
Target Memory:
Argument with mother at age 12 regarding academic performance. This memory involved upsetting events and mental imagery of the argument, and is considered a traumatic experience for the client.
Negative Cognition (NC):“I’m not good enough.”
Positive Cognition (PC):“I did the best I could.”
VoC Rating (1–7):Before: 2
After: 6
SUDs Rating (0–10):Before: 8
After: 1
Body Sensations:
Reported tightness in chest and lump in throat during sets. Tension decreased as processing progressed.
Bilateral Stimulation Used:
Eye movements (manual hand movements). Client followed well, no signs of dissociation or discomfort.
Client Responses / Observations:
Client was tearful during set 3. Verbalized new insight: “It wasn’t my fault.” Became visibly calmer by end of session. Client described upsetting memories and mental imagery related to the argument.
Client's Experiences:
Documented client's experiences during the session, including thoughts, feelings, and memories that emerged throughout processing.
Desensitization Status:
Target memory processed to SUD 1. Client reported neutral feelings toward memory. Notable healing process observed, with positive therapeutic outcomes including increased self-compassion and reduced distress.
Client Status (End of Session):
Client appeared stable, calm, and ready for further therapy. No safety concerns noted.
Closure:
Used Safe Place visualization. Client appeared relaxed and regulated by session end.
Plan / Next Session Focus:
Re-evaluate current target to confirm full processing. Prepare to begin linked memory related to sibling conflict.
Client’s progress this session included significant reduction in distress and improved self-beliefs.
Customizing EMDR Note Templates
Customizing EMDR note templates helps you capture the unique details of each client’s journey.
By adding relevant details—like the presenting issue, treatment goals, and responses to therapeutic interventions—you make it easier to track client progress clearly and efficiently.
You can also include sections like positive cognition to monitor changes in beliefs and attitudes. This is especially helpful for better treatment planning.
Tailored EMDR note templates improve communication with healthcare providers, too. They keep all relevant details in one place—easy to find and well-organized.
In the end, a strong template saves you time, supports client work, and helps deliver truly individualized care.
Why EMDR Notes Matter
Here’s why getting your EMDR notes right is important:
Track the healing
EMDR isn’t one-off work. Progress happens across multiple phases and sessions. Good notes help you see what targets have been processed, what beliefs have shifted, and what still needs attention. Including session details is essential for monitoring change and understanding the client’s journey.
Support clinical decision-making
Documenting SUDs, VoC ratings, and body responses gives you a clear picture of where your client is stuck—and what to focus on next.
Protect yourself and your client
Notes are part of ethical, professional practice. They show clinical reasoning, interventions used, and how the client responded—especially important for supervision, audits, or insurance reviews.
Reduce mental load
You don’t want to rely on memory for details like “Was that target fully processed?” or “Did they reach a VoC of 6 or 7?” Notes give you a reliable trail to follow.
Show progress in a way clients and insurers can understand
With consistent use of tools like SUDs and VoC, you can clearly show change over time. This matters for client motivation and insurance documentation alike.
In short: your notes are more than paperwork. They’re part of the therapy. Such notes are crucial for tracking progress, documenting session details, and ensuring continuity of care.
Tips for Day-to-Day Flow
Writing EMDR notes doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming. With a few small habits, you can make it part of your rhythm—not a task you dread at the end of the day. Compared to talk therapy, where discussing and processing emotions is central, EMDR note-taking requires capturing even more detailed information about the client’s responses, memories, and progress throughout each session.
Here are some tips therapists swear by:
1. Set up your note before the session starts
Open your template and fill in the basics (client name, date, session #, phase). Having that ready makes it easier to add details as you go.
2. Use shorthand or bullet notes during sets
Keep a small notepad or type quick cues into your EHR:
- “R2: SUD 6 → 3, ‘I can breathe now’”
- “Tearful at R4, VoC jumps from 3 to 5” You can expand on these right after the session.
3. Capture quotes and body cues
Write down key client phrases or physical reactions in the moment—they help reflect processing without overexplaining.
“Felt it in my chest,” “It’s not my fault,” “I see it differently now.”
4. Review & finalize notes while it’s fresh
Try to complete the note within 15–30 minutes after the session. Waiting too long means forgetting key emotional shifts or process details.
5. Highlight next steps clearly
End each note by jotting down what you’ll revisit or target next session. It saves time and keeps treatment on track.
6. Use tools that speed this up
Platforms like Supanote let you pre-fill EMDR templates, capture summaries with voice, and structure notes in your preferred format. Less typing. More thinking.
Final Thoughts
EMDR sessions go deep—and your notes should reflect that, without becoming overwhelming.
The goal isn’t to write perfect essays after every session. It’s to capture the key moments: what was targeted, how the client responded, and what shifted. When done consistently, an EMDR progress note supports both the therapist and the client by documenting experiences, tracking progress, and informing treatment planning. EMDR notes become more than paperwork—they’re a record of healing.
Whether you use a simple template, jot down shorthand between rounds, or lean on tools like Supanote to speed things up, the most important thing is: keep it doable, keep it clear, and make it yours.
Because your time and energy should go to what matters most—your clients.
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Try it Free!FAQs
Q: Do I need to document every single EMDR set or round?
A: No. You don’t need to record each round in detail. Focus on meaningful changes—like shifts in SUDs, VoC, key insights, or emotional reactions. Summarize the flow without overloading the note.
Q: How much detail is enough for insurance or audits?
A: Capture the target memory, SUDs and VoC scores, interventions used, and client’s response. That shows progress and medical necessity without needing a full transcript.
Q: Should I use the same template every time?
A: Yes. A consistent structure makes it easier to track progress across sessions and reduces mental load. Most therapists stick to one template for the full EMDR phase.
Q: Can I write my notes later in the day?
A: You can, but try to write them as soon after the session as possible. EMDR work is detailed—waiting too long can make it hard to recall the emotional flow or client insights accurately.
Q: Is it okay to use short phrases or bullet points?
A: Absolutely. Many therapists use shorthand or bullet summaries, especially for internal notes. Just make sure what you document is clinically clear and defensible if reviewed.
Q: What if the client doesn’t fully process the target in one session?
A: Note where the session ended, current SUDs/VoC, and plan for the next step. Processing can span multiple sessions—that’s totally normal.
Q: Are digital tools like Supanote compliant with HIPAA?
A: Yes. Supanote is built to meet HIPAA and other regulatory standards. It also deletes recordings after transcription and strips personally identifiable info for added security.
Q: For which conditions are EMDR therapy notes especially important?
A: EMDR therapy notes are especially important for conditions like post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and emotional trauma. Thorough documentation is critical for tracking progress, supporting treatment planning, and ensuring clinical clarity when working with these issues.