Filling the Gaps: What Got Missed in EMDR Basic Training

Abstract
What is learned in EMDR basic training and how that is applied in practice depends on a number of factors, the foremost of which are: 1) the training organization, faculty and materials; 2) the learner's foundational learning, skills and capacities; and 3) environmental factors such as fellow training participants and practice setting. Inevitably, critical concepts and strategies are misunderstood, not applied and quickly forgotten, or missed altogether.

Learning and practice gaps that come to bear in the practice of EMDR therapy to treat complex trauma and dissociative symptoms are not unique to EMDR training. Gaps and biases in the foundational training of most mental health professionals include conceptualization skills, training in recognizing and working with transference and countertransference, and operating within a 3- stage relational frame, among others.

This workshop aims to identify common gaps in foundational learning, understanding, and practice of EMDR therapy that are reflected in the literature and reported by EMDR practitioners. Mis-takes, corrections, and clarifying the scope of treatment throughout all 8 phases and 3 prongs of the standard protocol will be discussed. Literature and examples identifying when the AIP model and EMDR therapy procedures run out of track will assist practitioners to broaden and deepen their conceptualization and skills in their practice, and in their roles as consultants and trainers if applicable.

In sum, this workshop aims to equip participants who have previously completed an accredited basic training in EMDR therapy toward increasing the safety and effectiveness of employing EMDR in their practice. Nuances of basic concepts that apply to working with complex trauma and dissociative disorders are not addressed by most EMDR basic training programs. While there are many documented adaptations and modifications of the standard EMDR protocol and procedures developed for use to treat dissociation, most have little-to-no research base. However, there are some consistent themes that can inform a personalized and attuned approach to employing EMDR therapy - within a broader treatment frame - with this client population.

Target Audience

Those seeking to participate in this webinar must be licensed mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, accredited psychotherapists, etc.). ISSTD staff will audit license information prior to the start of the course and may request additional documentation for your license.

We do accept students enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certification in the mental health field and who have an interest in trauma and dissociation. Students must submit proof of student status such as a transcript or registration record. For those who have completed their degree and are currently in the pre-licensure stage practicing under the license of another clinician, you must provide the name and license information for the person you are working with. Documentation should be sent to ISSTD staff at [email protected] before registering. 

Protentional to Distress: No

This webinar content is at the beginning/introductory level.

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to:

  • Identify three common mis-takes in post-training practice of standard EMDR therapy
  • Discuss three prevalent learning gaps related to EMDR therapy and treatment of posttraumatic issues, as represented in the literature
  • Describe the relationship between scope of treatment plan and scope of preparation for trauma processing
  • Describe how the discussed learning and practice gaps may impact the safety and effectiveness of EMDR therapy in treating complex trauma and dissociation
  • Identify how the AIP model and EMDR therapy run out of track conceptually, practically, and technically

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 1.50 APA
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • 1.50 ASWB ACE
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.
  • 1.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.
Course opens: 
01/21/2025
Course expires: 
12/31/2050
ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$55.00
Part of: 
From Invisible to Visible - Day Two
Rating: 
0

Jennifer Madere

Jennifer Madere is an LPC-Supervisor, EMDR Consultant and Trainer in private practice. She is a founding partner of Intuitus Group in Cedar Park, Texas. She has accompanied child, adolescent, and adult survivors of trauma on their journey of healing and recovery in psychotherapy since graduating from the University of Denver with a master’s degree in counseling psychology in 2005. She is trained in EMDR therapy, ego state therapy, deep brain reorienting, the ethical integration of faith in clinical practice, and sexual addiction treatment.

Jennifer has a passion for supervising graduate and post-graduate clinicians and consults and offers training and consultation related to treatment of complex trauma, pathological dissociation, EMDR therapy. Jennifer is a Fellow of the ISSTD and co-teaches the EMDR therapy training offered by ISSTD. She received the President’s Award in 2021 (with the team which developed ISSTD's EMDR therapy training), and the Cornelia B. Wilbur award (with D. Michael Coy) in 2022.

Jennifer is also a member of the EMDR International Association, European Society for Trauma and Dissociation, Texas Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors, International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals, and member and past-president of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association. She served on a working committee within the EMDR Council of Scholars focused on assessing the teaching and learning of EMDR therapy worldwide from 2021-2023.

Since 2015, Jennifer has collaborated with D. Michael Coy and Paul Dell to update the interpretive manual and associated documents for the Multidimensional Inventory of Dissociation (MID) and make the MID documents and training accessible to clinicians and researchers world-wide.
Jennifer is the published author of scholarly works on topics including consultation, screening, assessment, and differential diagnosis for dissociative disorders. Jennifer and D. Michael Coy are writing a book focused on EMDR and Dissociation, to be published in late 2025.

Disclosure information not submitted.

Available Credit

  • 1.50 APA
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • 1.50 ASWB ACE
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.
  • 1.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.

Price

ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$55.00
Please login or register to take this course.

"Your Price" above reflects your final price based on your membership status and career level. 

  • ISSTD defines a student as those enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certification in the mental health field and who have an interest in trauma and dissociation. 
  • ISSTD defines an emerging professional as mental health professionals who have completed an advanced degree and are in the first three years of their career (or first three years after graduation for researchers).
  • If you do not fall into one of the above categories please register as Professional/Retired. 

These prices are for Tier I countries. For a list of countries by Tier click here. If you are located in a country that falls into Tier II-VI please contact ISSTD at [email protected] to receive the appropriate discount code.

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