Worksheet
EMDR Tool: Spiral Technique Worksheet
The Spiral Technique Worksheet is an EMDR tool to help clients identify tension or distress, visualize a spiral, and gradually release difficult feelings. This user-friendly technique can be used to reduce anxiety and improve body awareness between EMDR therapy sessions.
How to Use This Worksheet
Start by noticing any body tension or disturbance, then use visualization to imagine the feeling as a moving energy spiral—clockwise or counterclockwise—in your body. Change the spiral’s direction, observe how your sensations and emotions shift, and see the spiral moving away as the distress fades. After re-rating your feelings, pause, breathe, and notice your present environment to reorient and ground yourself.
Who It’s For
This EMDR Spiral Technique Worksheet is designed for EMDR therapists, clients, and anyone seeking user-friendly tools to reduce anxiety, tension, and distress between sessions or during therapy. It is suitable for people working on trauma or anxiety, and can be used for grounding practice, emotional regulation, and easy self-soothing whenever extra support is needed.
Expected Outcomes
- Reduced body tension and emotional distress after practicing the spiral technique between or during EMDR sessions
- Improved ability to notice, visualize, and reprocess feelings for calming, grounding, and emotional self-regulation
- Greater skill in using bilateral stimulation tools and visualization for a more resilient response to mild trauma or anxiety
- Enhanced confidence in self-soothing and working with EMDR strategies in user-friendly, accessible ways
Related Topics
References
Shapiro, F. (2012). Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life With Self-Help Techniques from EMDR Therapy. New York, NY: Rodale.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Tool: Spiral Technique Worksheet Resources
If you are in a crisis or any other person may be in danger - don’t use this site. Use these resources