Definition extracted from their first level training manual with permission from EMDR Institute, Inc.
A polar response is the sudden emergence of positive cognitive and affective material in a channel when the previous set had indicated there was still more negative material. An example would be a sudden shift from the statement "I'm no good" to the statement "I'm fine as I am." A polar response is often accompanied by laughter or an expression of puzzlement, surprise or delight. A polar response is considered evidence of a short channel rather than a flight to health or denial. After a polar response, the clinician returns to the target to see if other channels need further reprocessing.
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