EMDR Negative Cognitions List

Download our EMDR negative cognition list to support your EDMR practices in evaluating and treating clients with PTSD. Gain greater insight into your client's state of mind, and integrate the list within the desensitization stage to work towards reshaping and molding positive associations.

By Chloe Smith on Mar 06, 2024.

Fact Checked by RJ Gumban.

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What Is A EMDR Negative Cognitions List?

EMDR negative cognitions lists are an important component of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, and can be used during the desensitization phase to replace negative beliefs with positive ones. Utilizing a means that patients can better identify their thoughts and feelings, and recognize the typical emotions that accompany PTSD symptoms. In EMDR therapy, cognitions are simply referred to as beliefs and are divided into four main categories of control/choice, safety/vulnerability, perfectionism/self-defectiveness, and responsibility. These negative cognitions are paired with target images and are an integral component of processing trauma, and by using this list, patients can encode their feelings through a subjective scale. It can be difficult to compile all of these feelings off the top of your head, which is why we've created this negative cognition list for you to incorporate within your practice right away.

Printable EMDR Negative Cognitions Lists

Download these EMDR Negative Cognitions List to improve your client's treatment outcomes and therapy experience.

How To Use This List For EMDR Negative Cognitions

To effectively integrate EMDR negative cognition lists within your practice, it is important to consider the following steps. To many of you, these steps may seem self-explanatory and somewhat basic, however, it is always good practice to double-check that you are following expected standards.

Step 1: Access the cognition list

The first step is to download our EMDR negative cognition list by clicking the link on this page. The form should open automatically within your designated computer software, and all sections are editable and interactive, meaning the patient can check off the cognitions without hassle.

Step 2: Distribute the negative cognition list

The negative cognition list is used by the patient to identify their beliefs, thoughts, and feelings when it comes to PTSD. As a result, the patient can check off this list during your appointment, in which case, you need to print the form out, or alternatively, they can check the list off electronically. Either way, you need to hand the form to your patient to complete, ideally during your session.

Step 3: Store securely

Lastly, you’ll need to store the negative cognition list within a HIPAA-compliant platform to ensure that patient information is protected and free from security hacks and breaches. These lists contain highly sensitive information pertaining to the client's condition, so it's important that you prioritize their confidentiality.

EMDR Negative Cognitions List Example (Sample)

We have provided a printable EMDR negative cognition list for you to start implementing within your practice right away. All the cognitions are formatted within a checklist, meaning that patients simply have to check the box if they are experiencing any of the beliefs. Although it is self-explanatory, we also provided an example of what this list looks like completed, by a fictitious client. Both templates are free for you to use, and comply with health industry standards so you can incorporate them however you wish.

Download this EMDR Negative Cognitions Example (Sample) here: 

EMDR Negative Cognitions List Example (Sample)

Who Can Use this Printable EMDR Negative Cognitions List (PDF)?

EMDR negative cognition lists can be administered by trained and qualified mental health professionals who specialize in or have experience with, EMDR practices. As a result, it is commonplace for psychologists to administer this list to patients, to support other aspects of EMDR treatment. As for the list itself, the checklist should be completed by patients, with the cognitions marked in accordance with their current thoughts and feelings. If a client prefers their mental health practitioner to complete it for them, this is perfectly acceptable, so long as the client is still voicing their thoughts and is approving of every check made. A list of mental health care professionals who work with and administer these lists include the following:

  1. Psychologists
  2. Psychiatrists
  3. Psychotherapists
  4. Therapists
  5. EMDR trained counselors

Why Is This Form Useful For EMDR Therapists

This form also has various practical uses for EMDR therapists that can make healthcare significantly easier and more convenient to deal with. These uses include the following:

Covers all bases

The great thing about the negative cognitions list is that it is developed in accordance with academic and clinical resources, and is an instrumental tool that notates the typical cognitions associated with PTSD. From the niche to the mainstream, this list collates all relevant dimensions that are needed in order to better understand the client, as well as to accurately represent their feelings associated with traumatic events.

Go paperless

The negative cognition checklist is formatted to be compatible with all electronic devices, meaning that you don't have to worry about having physical forms prepared prior to appointments. You can simply forward the checklist to your patient, or work together on a screen. It's intuitive and adapts to the modern technological demands of healthcare today.

Enhances organization

Naturally, using the negative cognition checklist means that you can also elevate organization across your practice. You don't have to spend time planning these specific dimensions or cognitions you'd like to evaluate, with all of them being listed right there for you to assess. Save time, and get back to doing what you do best; spending time with your clients.

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Why Use Carepatron For EMDR Software?

Edit, manage, and store your negative cognition lists within the Carepatron platform. Used by over 10,000 healthcare professionals worldwide, Carepatron is one of the top practice management software options on the health market, and won't break the bank. Designed with mental health practitioner needs in mind, Carepatron can boost the quality and level of care within your services, and enhance the coordination of business practices in no time. Access our wide resource library to consolidate your understanding when it comes to health care, and take advantage of our HIPAA compliance services that protect patient information at all times.

Carepatron is your one-stop shop when it comes to appointment scheduling, booking, reminders, and calendar syncing, as well as video consultations. You can also facilitate online payments for faster and more efficient reimbursements, and incorporate voice-to-text transcription services to ensure notetaking is a breeze. Healthcare can be complex, and intensely overwhelming at times, which is why we aim to simplify practitioner workloads and prioritize patient needs to ensure that healthcare is personable and considers individual goals, needs, and wants. Make the right choice, and consider Carepatron to grow your services today.

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When to use an EMDR Negative Cognitions List?
When to use an EMDR Negative Cognitions List?

Commonly asked questions

When to use an EMDR Negative Cognitions List?

An EMDR negative cognitions list should be used during the desensitization stage of EMDR therapy. It is used so patients can identify the negative beliefs they have associated with traumatic events, and these negative cognitions can be transformed into positive ones over time. The list is a great checklist for clients to reflect on their inner thoughts and feelings, and in accordance with clinically accepted instruments.

How do I write an EMDR Negative Cognitions List?

Fortunately, you don't need to write any components of an EMDR negative cognition list. All of the cognitions are listed for you, and the patient simply has to check which ones apply to them. There is also a space for them to provide additional notes, however, this is driven by the client and you do not need to write any component.

Who completes an EMDR Negative Cognitions List?

The EMDR negative cognition list is completed by the client. Typically, mental health practitioners will introduce the list during a session and go through it with their client, which may involve checking off cognitions for them, however, it is essentially the client who indirectly or directly fills out the checklist.

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