EMDR Outcome Measures Tracker (Free PDF)

What the outcome measures tracker covers

A single-page clinician tracking sheet that collects the four most-used outcome measures for trauma-focused therapy in one place. PCL-5 (20-item PTSD checklist, 0–80), PHQ-9 (9-item depression screen, 0–27), GAD-7 (7-item anxiety screen, 0–21), and DES-II (28-item dissociative experiences scale, 0–100). A SUD column captures within-session reprocessing alongside the between-session symptom trajectory.

The second half of the sheet is an interpretation reference — score ranges, clinical bands, and recommended re-administration cadence for each measure — so the clinician does not have to look up cut-offs every time.

Who it's for

EMDR clinicians who want a brand-agnostic printable that lives in the paper chart and gives a quick visual trajectory of all four standard measures across a course of treatment. Particularly useful for clinicians submitting superbills, working with EAP authorisations, or producing structured outcome data for consultation or supervision.

The sheet is also useful in consultation: a single tracker per client shows the trajectory more clearly than four separate score forms, and supports decisions about pacing, re-targeting, and discharge readiness.

Why these four measures

PCL-5 is the most widely used PTSD self-report. Published by the U.S. National Center for PTSD, free for clinical use, sensitive to change across EMDR treatment. PCL-5 change thresholds are still being established by the National Center for PTSD; in veteran treatment samples, a drop of 15–18 points indicated reliable change and a post-treatment score of 28 or below indicated clinically significant change (Marx et al., 2022).

PHQ-9 captures depression severity (mild 5, moderate 10, moderate-severe 15, severe 20) and contains the critical item 9 suicide-risk question that should be checked every administration. EMDR for trauma frequently produces co-incidental depression improvement; the PHQ-9 makes that visible.

GAD-7 captures generalised anxiety. Trauma-linked anxiety often resolves alongside the trauma work, but co-morbid GAD without trauma drivers may need separate intervention — the GAD-7 trajectory helps tell the difference.

DES-II is the standard dissociation screen. A total of 30 or more, or a DES-T (the 8 taxon items) of 20 or more, is a signal to pause and assess further before Phase 3 reprocessing — a screen, not a diagnosis. See the DES-II dissociation screening guide for cut-offs and follow-up steps.

How to use the tracker

1. Administer all four measures at the start of treatment (Phase 1) for a baseline.

2. Re-administer PCL-5 every 4–6 sessions, more often if Phase 4 reprocessing is moving quickly.

3. Re-administer PHQ-9 every session if active depression or suicidality is present; otherwise every 4 sessions. Always check item 9.

4. Re-administer GAD-7 every 4–6 sessions.

5. Re-administer DES-II if any signs of destabilisation, dissociation, or unexpected stuck Phase 4 processing appear. Otherwise repeat at discharge to document change.

6. Record the per-session SUD on the same row so the in-session and between-session trajectories are visible together.

Pair the tracker with the Session Processing Log for the in-session detail and the Progress Note Template for the written record.

What's inside the PDF

• Client header (initials, clinician, treatment start, target cluster)
• 10-row tracking grid: Date, Session #, Phase, PCL-5, PHQ-9, GAD-7, DES-II, SUD, Notes
• Interpretation reference table with score ranges, clinical guides and re-administration cadence for all four measures
• Notes on use: suicide-risk safety check on PHQ-9 item 9, dissociation gate on DES-II, brand-agnostic measure attribution

Inside EMDR Assist

EMDR Assist tracks all four measures digitally per client, charts the trajectory across sessions, flags item-9 suicide-risk responses for immediate review, and exports a structured progress report for insurance, court, or consultation use. The PDF tracker remains useful as a paper companion for clinicians who like a single physical sheet in the chart; the digital version removes the transcription.

Related on the EMDR guide

• Phase 1: History-Taking — full guide
• EMDR for Depression: Evidence, Protocols, and What to Expect
• EMDR Evidence and Research: What the Studies Actually Show
• Phase 8: Re-evaluation

Frequently asked questions

Are these measures free to use clinically?

Yes — PCL-5 is free from the U.S. National Center for PTSD; PHQ-9 and GAD-7 are free to use without permission (Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams); DES-II is freely available from Carlson & Putnam. All four can be used in clinical practice without licensing fees.

How often should I re-administer?

Baseline at Phase 1 for all four. PCL-5 every 4–6 sessions, PHQ-9 every session if active depression/suicidality (otherwise every 4 sessions), GAD-7 every 4–6 sessions, DES-II at baseline and if destabilisation appears. Re-administer all at discharge.

Do I need to score these in session?

No — clients can complete the forms in the waiting room or via portal before the session. Scoring takes 1–2 minutes per measure.

What's the difference between SUDs and the symptom measures?

SUDs (0–10) track within-session distress on a specific target during Phase 4 reprocessing. The symptom measures track between-session symptom severity across the whole presentation. Both belong in the chart.

References

1. Weathers, F. W., Litz, B. T., Keane, T. M., et al. (2013). The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). National Center for PTSD.
2. Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. W. (2001). The PHQ-9: Validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16(9), 606–613.
3. Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B. W., & Löwe, B. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: The GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(10), 1092–1097.
4. Bernstein, E. M., & Putnam, F. W. (1986). Development, reliability, and validity of a dissociation scale. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 174(12), 727–735.
5. Carlson, E. B., & Putnam, F. W. (1993). An update on the Dissociative Experiences Scale. Dissociation, 6(1), 16–27.
6. Wolpe, J. (1969). The Practice of Behavior Therapy. Pergamon Press (Subjective Units of Disturbance scale).
7. Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.