This training meets curriculum standards set forth by the EMDR International Association for EMDR therapy training: A minimum of 20 hours of in-person instructional learning, 20 hours of supervised practice, and 10 hours of consultation focused on integration and development of EMDR therapy skills (for a total of 50 hours of learning). This training exceeds the minimum standards, as follows: 33.0 hours of live didactic learning, 5.5 hours of recorded didactic learning, 22.0 hours of supervised practice, and 12 hours of consultation focused on integration and development of EMDR therapy skills (for a total of 81 hours of learning).

Please note this training is currently only available for participants located in North America. This training will be conducted as a live virtual online training only. 

2025 Training Dates

• Module I (Fri - Sun;  3 days, online live interactive): January 10-12, 2025 | 9:30am - 5:30pm US Eastern Time
• Module II (Fri - Sun; 3 days, online live interactive): February 21-23, 2025 | 9:30am - 5:30pm US Eastern Time
• Module III (Fri - Sun; 3 days, online live interactive): May 16-18, 2025 |  9:30am - 5:30pm US Eastern Time

Abstract
Since the development of EMDR therapy in the early 1990s, a large body of research has shown that it is efficacious for treating PTSD. Clinicians and researchers have also found positive treatment effects beyond PTSD for other mental health conditions. However, clinicians discovered early on that EMDR seemed to move patients with complex trauma into dysregulated states rather than towards the expected, adaptive resolution when targeting traumatic memories. Stories of uncontrolled abreactions, the unanticipated emergence of dissociated self-states, and subsequent destabilization leading to major setbacks or harm prompted some clinicians to dismiss EMDR as a viable treatment option for persons with dissociative features. Although some advanced EMDR therapy trainings and publications consider these complexities and potential risks, initial EMDR therapy training historically has not.

Consisting of three, three-day modules and a total of 73 didactic, practicum, and consultation hours, this training is the beginning of a learning journey in the practice of EMDR therapy to resolve unprocessed life experiences and resultant symptomatic disturbances. Over the course of the four modules, participants will learn the skills necessary to work with persons dealing with the ‘simpler’ trauma-related presentations in an EMDR therapy frame, as well as basic and intermediate foundational knowledge in assessment and treatment of persons experiencing pathological dissociation. Although participants will not learn to use the advanced EMDR therapy methods needed to treat persons with dissociative disorders, they will learn much about becoming attuned to the presence and forms of simpler trauma, complex trauma, and dissociation. Context for the application of basic protocols for treating some issues faced by persons with more complex trauma histories will be addressed.

To aid different learning styles, the training will follow three fictitious, composite clients experiencing different severities of trauma and dissociation to illustrate the procedures of EMDR therapy. Francine Shapiro (2018, Chapter 4 and Appendices A and E) notes that some clients may not yet be ready, or may be inappropriate candidates, for EMDR therapy. Accordingly, both the standard ‘red flags’ for each of these composite clients, additional indications to proceed with caution, and explicit contraindications will be highlighted.

The training is overseen and provided by members of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), approved by the ISSTD Board of Directors, and accredited by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). All instructors are EMDRIA Approved Trainers. At the conclusion of all four training modules and the required consultation hours that comprise this training—and during which learners are required by EMDRIA to discuss case material from actual use of EMDR therapy methods with appropriate clients in their clinical practice--participants will receive a certificate of completion, at which point they will be “EMDR  trained” clinicians. Participants will have had the opportunity to learn and practice the skills to determine client suitability and readiness for trauma accessing in general, and the use of EMDR therapy methods for containment, stabilization, and trauma resolution for clients with simple and moderately complex trauma presentations, within their established area(s) of expertise. 

Eligibility Requirements
Participants must meet the following criteria to complete registration for EMDR therapy training. Please be prepared to provide documentation to show meeting these criteria upon request:

• Have completed and received a diploma for a Masters or Doctoral degree in a mental health related field (social work, counseling, psychology, psychiatry, psychiatric nursing, etc), and be licensed and in good standing to practice as a mental health professional by their local licensing board.
• If a potential participant has completed a graduate degree in a mental health discipline, but is not licensed to practice independently, then they must be working toward licensure, submit documentation of working under the supervision of a qualified, fully-licensed professional, and provide a letter from the licensing supervisor voicing support of EMDR therapy training and practice in their current practice setting.
• If potential participants are currently enrolled in a graduate program, they must have completed their core coursework, be working under a licensed supervisor in an internship/practicum setting, and provide a letter from the licensing supervisor voicing support of EMDR therapy training and practice in their current practice setting. First-year graduate students are not eligible to participate in this training.

EMDRIA Requirements
Registrants will understand and agree to the following terms and requirements of this training:

• EMDR therapy training requires supervised practice of EMDR therapy, addressing real personal issues in the roles of client, practitioner, and observer.
• EMDR therapy training requires training participants to complete a minimum of 10 hours of consultation on the application and use of EMDR therapy. ISSTD’s EMDR therapy training requires 12 hours of consultation on these topics. Training participants must be able to apply EMDR therapy in their practice setting, and present clinical work on real cases in consultation.
• EMDRIA requires that the EMDR therapy training process be completed within two years of the first date of training. This includes all four modules and the 12 hours of consultation.
• Dates/times of upcoming group consultation will be publicized at each training module. A variety of times/days will be offered, and trainees will register for their choice of available options. These consultation groups are in addition to the in-person training modules, and full attendance and participation is required to complete this training. Consultations cancelled or not attended by the trainee will be made up at their own expense in order to complete all training requirements.
• Personal information shared within demonstrations and practicum experiences will be held confidential, and will not be recorded or otherwise shared outside of the training context without written permission of the trainee in the client role, unless applicable legal/ethical codes require otherwise.
• The dignity of all administrative and training staff and participants will be honored at all times. As an EMDRIA Approved Training Provider, we must not engage in or allow discriminatory behavior or bias, and we will hold trainees to the same standard.
• Please contact ISSTD at [email protected] to arrange accommodations for all disability needs or life-threatening allergies at the time of registration.