The Container Exercise: An EMDR-Based Guided Imagery Technique for Emotional Containment and Grounding

Written By Z. Hamilton Avery

The Container exercise is an EMDR-based stabilization practice used to help a person mentally set aside thoughts, images, emotions, or memories that are not helpful to engage with right now. The practice does not erase the issue, deny its importance, or force the person to “get over it.” Instead, it creates a temporary boundary that says: This matters and I do not have to carry it all at full intensity in this exact moment.

To practice the container exercise, a person imagines a container that feels strong enough to hold difficult material. It might be a box, vault, jar, chest, filing cabinet, safe, envelope, room, or other image. The container can have a lock, lid, seal, guard, distance, or any feature that helps it feel secure. Container imagery is commonly used in EMDR preparation and trauma-informed stabilization. Research on EMDR resource development, stabilization techniques, and guided imagery suggests these practices may help people build coping capacity before approaching distressing material more directly.

Guided Practice
(optional)

Imagine a container that can safely hold what you are not ready to work with right now. Notice its size, shape, material, and location. Place the thought, feeling, image, or concern into the container as gently as possible. Close it in whatever way feels right. Remind yourself that you can return to this with support, at the right time, and that you do not have to hold all of it right now.

Important Reminder

When used intentionally, this is not avoidance. It is a pacing skill. If the material feels urgent, unsafe, or impossible to contain, use grounding, reach out for support, or follow a safety/crisis plan. 

References

Korn, D. L., & Leeds, A. M. (2002). Preliminary evidence of efficacy for EMDR resource development and installation in the stabilization phase of treatment of complex posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(12), 1465-1487. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.10099 ⁠

Murray, K. (2011). Container. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 5(1), 29-32. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.5.1.29⁠

Zehetmair, C., Nagy, E., Leetz, C., Cranz, A., Kindermann, D., Reddemann, L., & Nikendei, C. (2020). Self-practice of stabilizing and guided imagery techniques for traumatized refugees via digital audio files: Qualitative study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(9). https://doi.org/10.2196/17906 ⁠

Zehetmair, C., Tegeler, I., Kaufmann, C., Klippel, A., Reddemann, L., Junne, F., Herpertz, S. C., Friederich, H.-C., & Nikendei, C. (2019). Stabilizing techniques and guided imagery for traumatized male refugees in a German state registration and reception center: A qualitative study on a psychotherapeutic group intervention. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8(6), 894. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8060894 ⁠

Z. Hamilton Avery

Z. Hamilton Avery, LCSW, BC-TMH, CMT, CYT-1,000, TIYT (he/they) is a queer and non-binary therapist, health educator, wellness coach, body and energy worker, yoga and meditation teacher, and abstract artist in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to having obtained over a dozen certifications in various modalities of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), Z holds an associate’s degree in pre-nursing studies, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a master’s degree in social work. When supporting clients and students, Z takes a humanistic, person-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed approach. Their practice is grounded in compassion, harm reduction, inclusivity, social justice, and evidence-based interventions. Ultimately, Z’s mission is to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for adolescents (13+) and adults who are navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, pain, and chronic illness; he does this by offering sessions, classes, groups, workshops, retreats, and trainings.

Understanding that mental health is interconnected with many other facets of life, Z takes a holistic approach to therapy. Knowing that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment, he strives to honor the uniqueness of each client by custom-tailoring his approach to best meet the needs, preferences, and goals of each individual. For this reason, Z believes that it is imperative to be cross-trained in many different treatment approaches. As a therapist, they utilize a variety of evidence-based practices, including motivational interviewing (MI), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and written exposure therapy (WET). As a body and energy worker, Z is certified to practice massage therapy, Thai yoga massage, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, and reiki. They are also certified in both Chinese and Japanese styles of acupuncture. After completing more than 1,000 hours of accredited yoga teacher training (primarily in India), Z is certified to teach various styles of yoga, including Hatha, Kundalini, yin, and restorative. He also researches and writes about topics including stress, trauma, self-care, mindfulness, self-compassion, holistic health and well-being, CAM, HIV/AIDS, and issues related to the Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, agender, plus (2SLGBTQIA+) community.

https://www.therapywithz.com
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