Bilateral Stimulation
The Pendulum Pattern
The pendulum pattern delivers gentle, wave-like bilateral stimulation often used for grounding, resource installation and closure.
Reviewed by the BilateralSync clinical team · Updated · 4 min read
Introduction
The pendulum pattern moves the visual target in a smooth, arc-like swing. Its gentler feel makes it a common choice for grounding exercises, resource installation and the closure phase of EMDR.
Evidence summary
Comparative outcome data between patterns is limited. The pendulum is well-established in clinical practice as a lower-intensity variation.
Clinical use
Pendulum is a natural default for Phase 2 resourcing and Phase 7 closure — slower speeds, smooth trajectory and a settling feel. In BilateralSync it is one of the built-in pattern options.
Frequently asked questions
- When would I use pendulum instead of horizontal?
- For gentler, lower-intensity work — grounding, resource installation, or closing an intense session.
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