Rethinking Target Selection in EMDR
Think experiences, not just events
When it comes to selecting targets in EMDR therapy, it's easy to get caught up searching for the ‘right’ memory or a pivotal moment. But for many clients - especially those with complex trauma - there isn’t a single defining event. Instead, it’s often a collection of experiences that have shaped how they see themselves and the world.
That’s why, when I’m working with EMDR therapists in consultation or training, I often suggest a shift in perspective: think experiences, not just events.
Moving beyond “big T” trauma
EMDR therapy was originally developed to treat PTSD, and it remains a powerful intervention for single-incident trauma. But over the past three decades, its scope has broadened. We now know that many clients carry the effects of what didn’t happen, unmet needs, emotional neglect, or invalidating environments, just as deeply as what did.
This kind of distress can be harder to spot. There might be no single ‘trauma memory’, but rather a pattern of being overlooked, dismissed, or unsupported. These are acts of omission, not commission, but their impact can be just as lasting.
Take, for example, a client who feels inadequate or invisible. Rather than stemming from one clear-cut memory, these feelings may have been reinforced through countless small experiences: not being chosen in school activities, not being comforted during emotional moments, or feeling like their achievements were never celebrated.
In these cases, target selection becomes less about pinpointing a moment and more about identifying representative memories - composite symbols that encapsulate a broader life pattern.
Representative targets: A practical strategy
Let’s say a client recalls trying to tell a parent about being bullied, only to be met with disinterest. That memory might serve as a representative target, not just of that moment, but of an ongoing experience of emotional neglect or being unheard. It becomes a gateway into the underlying negative belief: “I don’t matter,” “I’m not safe to share,” or “I’m invisible.”
This approach aligns with the AIP model, which teaches us that present symptoms are rooted in earlier maladaptively stored experiences. As I often say in training, we don’t need a 'magic bullet' target. What we need is something meaningful and relevant to the client’s lived experience and goals.
A guiding question: What is the client hoping to change?
When in doubt, I encourage EMDR therapists to reverse-engineer target selection. Ask:
“What is the client hoping to change in their life by reprocessing their past trauma?”
This question often brings clarity to even the most complex presentations. If a client wants to feel more confident in relationships, for instance, explore the negative beliefs and formative experiences that undermine this confidence. From there, you can begin mapping potential targets.
You might find the reverse pyramid framework I teach helpful—it starts with the client’s current goals and gradually works backward to identify key themes, beliefs, and formative experiences. You can explore this in more depth in my Case Conceptualisation and Target Selection webinar.
Personal reflection for EMDR therapists
If you're feeling stuck or unsure about where to start with a client, try this:
Reflect on the patterns, not just the moments. What has been missing for this client? What beliefs have taken root over time? What experiences feel emblematic of a larger story?
Sometimes we don’t find the perfect target - we find a meaningful starting point. And that’s more than enough.
I'm Caroline Burrows, an Accredited EMDR Trainer and Consultant. I’m passionate about bridging the gap between EMDR training and clinical practice. If you're looking to learn EMDR therapy for the first time, enhance your EMDR skills, or navigate challenges in your EMDR clinical work, I offer training workshops, on-demand webinars, and consultation. I would love to support your EMDR learning journey.
