EMDR Floatback & Touchstone Worksheet
A clinician worksheet for the EMDR floatback technique, recording the current trigger, NC, emotion and body location, earlier memories with ages and SUD, and the touchstone.
1-page fillable PDF · US Letter (prints on A4) · EMDR · Assessment
- Approach / concern
- EMDR
- Technique
- EMDR · Assessment
- Format
- Fillable PDF, 1 page (US Letter / A4)
- Access
- Advanced plan
- For
- Licensed clinicians to use with clients
- Updated
- October 2026
Key facts
What is the EMDR Floatback & Touchstone Worksheet?
The floatback technique asks clients to hold the current trigger’s image, negative cognition and body sensations, and let their mind drift back to earlier memories with similar feelings, identifying touchstone memories.
Why it works
Floatback and affect-bridge methods help identify earlier memories underlying current symptoms (Shapiro, 2018; Leeds, 2016).
When to use it
- Identifying earlier targets
- Present triggers without obvious origins
- Treatment planning
- Stuck processing
How to use it in session
- Activate the current trigger.
- Hold NC, emotion and body sensation.
- Invite the mind to float back.
- Record memories and ages.
- Identify the touchstone.
Clinician tips
- Don’t search or force; let memories arise.
- Go gently with clients who dissociate.
- Not every floatback yields an earlier memory.
Worked example
Sharing with clients
Members can download the PDF to print or email, or copy a private client link from the download box. Your client opens the link and downloads the worksheet on any device. No client account is needed, and nothing your client writes is stored on TherapyAid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a touchstone memory?
An early memory that appears to have laid the foundation for current reactions.
What if nothing comes up?
That’s okay. Work with the present trigger or try again later.
References
Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
Leeds, A. M. (2016). A guide to the standard EMDR therapy protocols for clinicians, supervisors, and consultants (2nd ed.). Springer.
This worksheet is an educational tool for use by, or under the guidance of, a licensed or registered mental-health professional. It is not a diagnostic instrument or a substitute for clinical judgement. If a client is in crisis in Canada, call or text 9-8-8 or call 9-1-1.
