Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from many different treatment approaches. To-date, EMDR therapy has helped millions of people of all ages relieve many types of psychological stress. Click here to obtain the more detailed EMDRIA definition of EMDR therapy.
Is EMDR therapy an evidence-based practice?
Yes. EMDR therapy is listed on SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). Click here for more information.
What is an EMDR Therapist?
In order to properly identify oneself as an EMDR therapist, the clinician must have completed the EMDR Therapy Basic Training as provided by an EMDRIA approved trainer. The EMDR Institute and Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP)/Trauma Recovery are EMDRIA approved providers of Basic Training. (Note: PESI and The Bodymind Institute are not EMDRIA Approved Basic Training providers. For more information, click here.)
What are the requirements for EMDR Therapy Basic Training?
The Basic Training consists of 20 instructional and 20 supervised practicum hours in addition to 10 hours of consultation with an EMDR Approved Consultant or Consultant-in-Training (i.e., Part 1 & 2 w/ consultation). For more information, click here. To learn about eligibility to attend an EMDR Therapy Basic Training, click here.
Prior to 2007, clinicians were identified as Level I EMDR therapists after completing the first weekend of training and identified as Level II EMDR therapists after completion of the second weekend of training. The requirements changed in 2007 and now a clinician cannot be identified as an EMDR therapist until completion of both weekends of training (i.e., Part 1 and Part 2) as well as 10 hours of consultation with an Approved Consultant (and received the certificate of completion from the trainer). Until that time, the clinician is designated as a partially trained EMDR therapist. (The deisgnations of Level I and Level II are no longer used.) For information about the EMDRIA approved Basic Training curriculum, click here. Note: Beginning January 1, 2017 participants who begin the EMDR Therapy Basic Training must complete the entire training within 24 months from their initial start date unless there are extraordinary circumstances.
Is there a list of Approved Providers for EMDR Therapy Basic Training?
Yes. All providers of EMDR Therapy Basic Training are approved by EMDRIA. Click here to view the list. (Note: PESI and The Bodymind Institute are not EMDRIA Approved Basic Training providers. For more information, click here.)
Click on the links below to access lists of approved trainings:
After I complete the EMDR Therapy Basic Training, will I be a Certified EMDR Therapist?
No. Additional training and consultation is required as indicated below.
What is a Certified EMDR Therapist?
Certification is only offered by EMDRIA. A clinician who is EMDRIA Certified in EMDR has been licensed or certified in their profession for independent practice and has had a minimum of two years experience in their field. They have completed an EMDRIA-approved EMDR Therapy Basic Training (i.e., Part 1 & 2 w/ 10 hours of consultation), have conducted a minimum of 50 clinical sessions in which EMDR was utilized with at least 25 clients, and have received an additional 20 hours of consultation in EMDR therapy by an Approved Consultant (or Consultant-in-Training). In addition, the clinician must complete 12 hours of EMDRIA continuing education in EMDR therapy. For more information, click here. To obtain the application for EMDRIA Certification, click here.
EMDRIA Approved Consultants must meet all criteria to be Certified in EMDR. In addition, they must have three years of experience with EMDR after completing an EMDRIA Approved Training Program, have conducted at least 300 hundred clinical sessions in which EMDR was utilized with at least 75 clients, and have received 20 hours of consultation-of-consultation from an EMDRIA Approved Consultant. They must complete 12 hours of EMDRIA continuing education in EMDR therapy every two years. (NOTE: Those applying for Approved Consultant status must already have completed the application process for and been approved as an EMDRIA Certified Therapist in EMDR. A clinician cannot begin to accrue consultation-of-consultation hours until s/he has been approved as an EMDRIA Certified Therapist in EMDR.)
What is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant-in-Training (CIT)?
A CIT is an EMDRIA Certified EMDR therapist who is pursuing status as an Approved Consultant, but has not yet met the full requirements. The CIT can provide consultation to EMDR therapists whether or not they are pursuing Certification. (For EMDR therapists pursuing Certification, 15 of the required 20 hours of consultation can be provided by the CIT.) The CIT receives consultation of consultation from an EMDRIA Approved Consultant (AC). This is a collaborative relationship between the CIT and AC in which the CIT explains and discusses with an AC the consultation that the CIT is providing to partially or fully trained EMDR therapists and provides suggestions for improvement. For more information, click here.
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