139: The EMDR Processing Myth [Beneath The Protocol]
Processing Doesn't Only Happen in Phase 4
Many EMDR therapists were taught that processing begins in Phase 4. But what if that assumption is limiting your clinical effectiveness?
In this episode of Beneath the Protocol, Kambria Evans challenges one of the most common misunderstandings in EMDR and brain-based therapy: processing is much bigger than Phase 4.
Whether you're an EMDR therapist, Brainspotting clinician, ART therapist, or another brain-based practitioner, understanding the different types of processing can completely change the way you conceptualize cases and support complex trauma.
Instead of asking... "Are we still processing?"
Kambria invites clinicians to ask… "What kind of processing is happening?"
You'll discover why developmental work, somatic work, attachment repair, resource installation, and nervous system regulation aren't interruptions to therapy—they are therapy.
If you've ever wondered:
- Am I moving too fast?
- Should I push or resource?
- Is this avoidance or wisdom?
- Did I leave Phase 4?
- Am I even doing EMDR correctly?
...this episode is for you.
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Note: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy. If you’re experiencing difficulties, please seek guidance from a licensed mental health provider. All stories, examples, and characters shared are fictionalized or composite representations. Any resemblance to actual persons or situations is purely coincidental and intended solely for educational illustration.
With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for over 20 years. As the Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, she created ease in complex systems, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a dedicated mom, therapist, and EMDR Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way. When she isn't podcasting or creating online courses, you can find Kambria playing with her twins on a beach in California.