Body scan

The body scan is Shapiro’s Phase 6 — the step after the positive cognition is installed and before closure. The client holds the original target memory and the installed positive cognition in mind, then scans the body for any residual tension or disturbance. Anything left over is processed with additional BLS until the scan is clear. This template captures the scan and the residual-clearing work.

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What the template covers

A single screen with seven fields:

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When to use it

Phase 6 sits after a complete Phase 4 (desensitization to SUDS = 0) and a complete Phase 5 (positive cognition installation to VOC ≥ 7). The body scan is performed in the same session as those phases — it’s the final clinical step before Phase 7 closure. The prerequisites are documentation-only in Rivet. The template doesn’t gate the scan behind a VOC or SUDS threshold; you apply the protocol ordering yourself.

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Reading the scan

The clinical interpretation of the scan is:

• Body scan clear on first pass → target is fully processed. Move to Phase 7 closure.
• Residual present → additional BLS sets to clear; the body holds what cognition has cleared. Re-scan after each set.
• VOC at scan < 7 → Phase 5 is not complete. Return to Phase 5 before scanning.
• SUDS at scan > 0 → Phase 4 is not complete. Return to Phase 4 before scanning.

The first two read like “is the target processed yet?” — the answer is in the body, not just the cognition.

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How to launch it

In the EMDR Workspace or from the templates picker, search “body scan.” The template opens with the scan prompt at the top — read it to the client to set up the scan, then fill the fields as you go. The BLS that clears residual disturbance runs in the EMDR Workspace. Capture the cumulative set count in the BLS sets to clear field.

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Field-by-field

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The scan prompt

A display-only instruction at the top of the template:

Have the client hold the original target memory plus the installed positive cognition in mind, then scan the body for residual tension or disturbance.

Read it to the client to set up the scan.

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VOC at start of body scan

Slider 1–7. Validity-of-cognition rating entering the scan. Should be ≥ 7 if Phase 5 is complete. If it’s lower, return to Phase 5.

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SUDS at start of body scan

Slider 0–10. Subjective-units-of-distress rating entering the scan. Should be 0 if Phase 4 is complete. If it’s higher, return to Phase 4.

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Residual locations

Large text field. Where in the body the client notices anything. Be specific — “right shoulder,” “low belly,” “the back of the throat.” Specificity helps the next round of BLS focus.

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Residual description

The quality of the residual. Tightness, heaviness, ache, fluttering, warmth, cold, pressure. The descriptor is part of the target for the next BLS set.

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BLS sets to clear

Integer. Cumulative BLS sets used to clear the residual. 0 if the first-pass scan was clear. Otherwise the count for however many sets the clearing required.

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Final clear

Boolean. Body scan is clear on the second pass — no residual remains. Check this when the clearing is done; leave unchecked if the session ran out of time and the scan was incomplete.

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Notes

Optional large text field for anything that didn’t fit the structured record — pacing observations, dual-attention quality, anything that informs the next session.

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What an incomplete body scan means

If the session ran out of time before the scan was clear, don’t check the final-clear box. Use the container or the calm place for closure, and pick up the body scan at the start of the next session. The unchecked box is the cue that there’s still work to do on this target.

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Citation

• Shapiro, F. (1995, 2001, 2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures. Guilford Press. Phase 6 body scan procedure documented in all editions of the canonical text.

The protocol is published clinical method. Rivet’s field labels are original.

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