EMDR · Assessment
Float-Back & Affect Bridge
Trace a present trigger to its earliest memory
When a present trigger feels disproportionate, use the body and the NC as a bridge back to the earliest related memory.
1
The recent event
Most charged moment from the last week or two.
What happened
2
Hold the image
Notice the emotion, the body sensation, and the negative thought about self.
Emotion
Body sensation + location
Negative cognition
3
Float back
'When was the first time you remember feeling this same way, with this same thought about yourself?' Let images come.
Earliest memory that surfaces
Age
4
Confirm the touchstone
Does the NC fit the earlier memory?
For EMDR clinicians
If you use float-back routinely, you'll love EMDR Assist — a dedicated workspace for the full 8-phase protocol, BLS, and target tracking.