EMDR Therapy Target Planning Template

Clients presenting issues:

• 34yo F presenting with PTSD Sx (intrusive memories, hypervigilance, driving avoidance, insomnia) following an MVA on 12/05/2023. Also reports generalised anxiety at work.

Priority issue to address first:

• Severe driving anxiety and intrusive flashbacks related to the MVA.

Dominant belief underlying the priority issue:

• "I am in danger / I am powerless."

Desired positive belief in relation to the priority issue:

• "I am safe now and have control."

Past experiences that led to development of the priority issue/negative belief:

• Childhood bicycle accident (age 8) where she was hit by a backing car.
• Witnessing a severe collision on the highway (age 19).
• T-bone MVA at an intersection on 12/05/2023 resulting in minor whiplash and write-off of vehicle.

Earliest of the past events ('touchstone memory'):

• Age 8: Knocked off bicycle by a neighbour's car backing out of a driveway; felt trapped under the bike frame and terrified.

Worst of the past events:

• 12/05/2023: High-speed T-bone MVA at a wet intersection; airbags deployed, cabin filled with smoke, believed she was going to die.

Most recent of the past events:

• 04/10/2023: Near-miss incident as a passenger when a truck merged suddenly into their lane on the M4 motorway.

Present triggers that activate the priority issue/negative belief:

• Approaching busy intersections, sound of screeching tyres, wet road conditions, and sitting in the driver's seat.

Future Fears/triggers in relation to the priority issue/negative belief:

• Having to drive solo on the motorway for an upcoming work conference next month; fear of panicking and causing a fatal accident.