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Container Exercise for Emotional Regulation


Why make a visual container?

A visual container exercise is a grounding technique often used in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy to help clients manage overwhelming thoughts, emotions, or traumatic material between sessions. By imagining a secure, closed container to temporarily hold distressing content, individuals gain a sense of control and psychological distance, which can reduce anxiety and prevent emotional flooding.

This technique is supported by research on containment and visualization strategies, which have been shown to enhance emotion regulation and support trauma processing (e.g., Korn & Leeds, 2002, Journal of Clinical Psychology). In the context of EMDR, the container exercise prepares the nervous system for deeper work by fostering a felt sense of safety and containment, critical components in trauma recovery.

 
 
 

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