What are the Qualifications for Attending?

A clinical background is necessary for the effective application of EMDR therapy. Attendance at the workshop is limited to all levels of social workers and mental health professionals who have a master’s degree or higher in the mental health field and are licensed or certified through a state or national board which authorizes independent practice. Provisional/Associate licensure may register as an “Pre-licensed” and must supply a supervisor letter  (must be under clinical supervision during the training).

Licensed Mental Health Professionals

• Qualifying medical doctors must be licensed to practice in their state or province.
• Qualifying advanced practice registered nurses must have a Master of Science in Nursing (or higher) with a specialization in psychiatric mental health nursing and must be licensed to practice through their state board or province.
• Qualifying Mental Health Clinicians must have a master’s degree in the mental health field (Counseling, Marriage Family Therapy, Psychology, Psychiatry, Social Work) or related mental health discipline and be licensed to practice through their state board or province.
• Individuals who only hold a chemical dependency or substance abuse license are not eligible as these licenses generally do not allow for a mental health scope of practice. 

Pre-Licensed Mental Health Professionals

• These are clinicians who are actively pursuing a mental health license through their state board (or province) while working under a licensed supervisor. Some of these license types include associate, intern, limited, provisional, temporary and pre-license.
• Qualifying pre-licensed mental health clinicians must have a master’s degree in the mental health field (Counseling, Marriage Family Therapy, Psychology, Psychiatry, Social Work) or related mental health discipline and must be actively pursuing a full license through their state board (or province) while working under a licensed supervisor.
• Individuals who only hold a chemical dependency or substance abuse license are not eligible as these licenses generally do not allow for a mental health scope of practice. 

Graduate Students

• Qualifying graduate students must be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program in the mental health field (Counseling, Marriage Family Therapy, Psychology, Psychiatry, Psychiatric Nursing, Social Work) or related mental health discipline. Students must have completed their core graduate academic coursework and must be in the practicum/internship portion of their graduate program. First year graduate students are not eligible. Graduate students must be on a licensing track and working under the supervision of a fully licensed mental health clinician.

International Registrants

It is the policy of the EMDR Institute that people from outside the US must comply with the licensure/requirements of the EMDR Association in the country where they practice. It is recommended that participants from European countries take the training from an EMDR Europe approved trainer.

Canadian Registration Requirements

Minimum of a master’s degree in clinical or counseling psychology or social work. Membership in a professional association that has a written code of ethics or standards of conduct. Professional liability insurance.