Unlock the Transformative Power of EMDR and Navigate the Path to Mastery

Learn from the training institute of Francine Shapiro, PhD, developer of EMDR therapy and founder of the EMDR Institute.

Overview
5 Steps to Take Basic Training
Training Highlights
Training Objectives
Who is Eligible?
Upcoming Trainings
FAQ

EMDR Therapy Basic Training

EMDR therapy is a specialized approach that requires supervised training for full therapeutic effectiveness and client safety. The training consists of lectures, live, and video demonstrations, and supervised practice. The EMDR Institute trainers are EMDRIA-approved. The training program adheres to the ethical standards of APA, social work, nursing, and mental health boards.

The EMDR Institute is the original organization established by Dr Francine Shapiro in 1990. The curriculum is regularly updated and expanded to reflect current research and to meet the current needs of clinicians.

This experiential training will familiarize participants with a broad spectrum of EMDR therapy applications sufficient for comfortable and efficient use with a wide range of patients and situations. Special attention will be given to the therapeutic needs of clients.

I learned a lot from the practicum portion of the training. My favorite part of the training was the practicum portion as I was able to utilize the skills I learned in the training and learned how to use the skills with my current patients that would benefit in EMDR treatment

— W2 Basic Training Participant

My facilitators were wonderful to work with. They created a safe and rich learning environment for me, and it helped me grow and learn in a meaningful way. Thanks so much!

— W2 Kids Basic Training Participant

I appreciate the Institute taking the time to adapt the training and the application of the therapy to fit the real-life struggles that we have currently as therapists. It was very realistic and helpful.

— W2 Basic Training Participant

I learned so much from this experience. This is my first time learning/experiencing EMDR. I came in with no knowledge of EMDR and feel I am leaving with so many tools to help my clients.

This was the best and most useful training I've ever taken as an LCSW.

Life-changing! Personally and professionally.

— W2 Basic Training Participant

This is the most useful training I've ever done. It's already been transformative for multiple clients I work with.

— W2 Basic Training Participant

I was highly impressed. The consideration put into everything met my needs

— W1 Basic Training Participant

This was a great training. One of the best!

— W1 Basic Training Participant

The workshop EXCEEDED my expectations.

— Specialty Applications Workshop Participant

Probably the most practically applicable training I have ever experienced. This was an amazing experience that I‘m grateful to have been a part of!

— W1 Basic Training Participant

Basic Training through the EMDR Institute -
How Our Program Works

Step 1: Understand what EMDR Training is

EMDR therapy is a specialized approach that requires supervised training for full therapeutic effectiveness and client safety. The training consists of lectures, live, and video demonstrations, and supervised practice.
The EMDR Institute is the original organization established by Dr Francine Shapiro in 1990. The curriculum is regularly updated and expanded to reflect current research and to meet the current needs of clinicians.
This experiential training will familiarize participants with a broad spectrum of EMDR therapy applications sufficient for comfortable and efficient use with a wide range of patients and situations. Special attention will be given to the therapeutic needs of clients.

The EMDR Institute trainers are EMDRIA-approved.

Step 2: Make sure you are eligible

Licensed Professionals: Medical doctors and advanced practice registered nurses with a specialization in psychiatric mental health, and mental health clinicians with a master's degree in a mental health field are eligible if they are licensed in their state or province.
Pre-Licensed Professionals: Individuals pursuing a mental health license under a licensed supervisor with a master's degree in a mental health field are eligible.
Graduate Students: Must be enrolled in a graduate program in a mental health field, have completed core coursework, and be in the practicum/internship phase under a licensed supervisor's guidance. First-year students are not eligible.

Those with only chemical dependency licenses are not eligible.

Step 3: Register for training

Choose Your Track: Select from two Basic Training tracks. One is tailored for clinicians focusing on adults, while the other includes additional content for those working with children and adolescents.
Plan Your Schedule: Aim for a 3-4 month gap between the first and second weekend trainings. This period allows you to complete the required 5 hours of consultation. A list of approved facilitators will be available during training and in the training manual. Note: Workshop fees do not cover case consultation costs.
Retake: Available for those who completed Basic Training with the EMDR Institute and want to brush up on their skills

Step 4: Take your training

Training Schedule: Trainings are held from Friday through Sunday, providing a comprehensive learning experience across the weekend.
Training Preparation: Read and watch required learning resources.
Consultation Requirement: Complete 5 hours of consultation between Weekend One and Weekend Two to reinforce learning and apply techniques. Consultation is about real cases. Participants must have current clients to participate in case consultation.

Step 5: Complete EMDR Training

Complete Both Training Weekends: Attendance and completion of Weekend 1 and Weekend 2 Trainings are required.
Completion of Training: Participants must complete the entire basic training (including 10 hours of case consultation) within 12 months from the initial start date.
Required Reading: Engage with "EMDR: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures" by Shapiro (2018) to grasp essential EMDR therapy concepts and techniques.
Case Consultation Hours: Fulfill 10 hours of case consultation with an EMDR Institute Approved Consultant, divided into 5 hours before Weekend 2 and 5 hours following Weekend 2. Consultation is about real cases. Participants must have current clients to participate in case consultation.

EMDR Basic Training Highlights

Supervised small group practice on each training day

Physiological overview of trauma and the information processing system

Specialized history-taking to identify relevant experiences

Treatment planning to address past events, current triggers and future needs

Stabilization, preparation and resource development interventions

Addressing trauma, adversity, and other disturbing life events

How to work with simple and complex cases

Applications to combat trauma and first responders

Applications to addictions, grief, anxiety, and emotional reactions to illness and injury

Applications to recent events including natural and man-made disasters

Applications to family and couples therapy

Personal use for therapist to process vicarious traumatization

Training Objectives

Weekend One Learning Objectives

Weekend 1
Learning Objectives

10 hours of didactic + 10 hours of supervised practice

List 2 research studies relevant to EMDR therapy
List 3 types of client’s presenting issues that have been successfully treated with EMDR therapy
Name 3 proposed mechanisms of action in EMDR therapy
Describe an important premise of the Adaptive Information Processing model
List the components of memory
Name the 8 phases of EMDR therapy
Identify the prongs of the Three-Pronged Protocol of EMDR therapy
Describe 3 criteria on the Client Readiness Checklist
Distinguish between Direct Questioning and the Floatback technique during Phase 1 History Taking and Treatment Planning
List the informational plateaus

Distinguish between state change and trait change in EMDR therapy
Describe one purpose for Safe/Calm State utilization
Identify the purpose of the Assessment Phase of EMDR therapy
Identify the purpose of utilizing the SUD scale and what it stands for
Describe when to return to target in Phase 4 Desensitization
Identify the purpose of the VOC scale and what it stands for
Describe how to conduct the Phase 6 Body Scan
Describe three strategies for assisting a client to stay within the window of tolerance
Describe how to resume reprocessing following an incomplete target memory.
Describe when you would apply the Future Template

Weekend Two Learning Objectives

Weekend 2
Learning Objectives

10 hours of didactic + 10 hours of supervised practice

Distinguish between a client’s presenting problems and underlying issues
Describe 3 strategies to treat complex trauma-related disorders
Identify 2 internal and external resources that clients need to have in place to do reprocessing
Describe 3 client factors that indicate the need for additional stabilization and resourcing
Describe the 3 different types of resources used in Resource Development and Installation
Distinguish between EMD, restricted reprocessing and the EMDR standard protocol
Identify 2 clinical situations where EMD would be appropriate as an intervention
Distinguish between a recent traumatic experience and developmental trauma
Identify when you would initially target a recent past experience versus a touchstone memory
Describe a process to select and prioritize targets appropriate for EMDR treatment

Describe how to offer a cognitive interweave when the client’s reprocessing is blocked
Describe 3 strategies for dealing with highly emotional responses
Describe 3 ways that EMDR therapy facilitates cultural responsiveness
Name 3 adverse cultural experiences that can contribute to maladaptive memory networks
Distinguish when to use memory reprocessing versus psychological first aid with grief related issues
Distinguish between a simple phobia and a process phobia
Describe 2 clinical symptoms that may indicate the presence of dissociation during a session
Describe 3 strategies for working with dissociative responses during reprocessing
Identify three clinical choices (past/present/future) for where to start reprocessing with addictions and compulsions
Identify one category of experiences appropriate for reprocessing with combat veterans

Certificate of Completion Requirements

EMDR Institute Certificate of Completion

Certificate of Completion Requirements

Completion of Weekend 1 and Weekend 2 Trainings
Reading the textbook, EMDR: Basic Principles, Protocols and Procedures (Shapiro 2018)
10 hours of case consultation with an EMDR Institute Approved Consultant (5 hours are required prior to Weekend 2; 5 hours after Weekend 2)

Virtual Training Format

Participants who attend the virtual format must complete the entire training (including 10 hours of case consultation) within 12 months from the initial start date.

Important Note

A CE certificate for 20 credits will be issued upon completion of Weekend 1 and 20 credits upon completion of Weekend 2.

Case Consultation

10 hours of case consultation are required to complete the EMDR Basic Training
(5 hours required prior to attending Weekend 2 and 5 hours post Weekend 2)
Consultation is about actual client cases and not experiences that occur in practicum
A list of EMDR Institute Approved Consultants will be given at each training
Workshop fees do not include case consultation
Group consultation rates range $25-50/hour; individual consultation rates range $50-200/hour. The hourly rate is set by the consultant.

Qualifications for Attending

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.

Intern/Graduate Student Requirements

Completion of graduate level coursework at an accredited school and be on a licensing track under state sanctioned supervision by a licensed clinician. Please submit a current supervisor’s letter with his/her degree and license number.

Important Note

If you have questions or concerns about the course content, references or content evaluation, contact inst@emdr.com

If you have questions or concerns about registration, facilities or course administration, contact registration@emdr.com

Registrants’ Contact information will be shared with the EMDR International Association

Dr. Shapiro worked vigorously for almost 35 years to make EMDR Institute the premier EMDR training organization that it continues to be, and to ensure that its participants have the potential for becoming premier EMDR therapy trained clinicians.

Our training materials are firsthand from the creator and are continually updated by our committee of experts thereby guaranteeing you a first rate and up-to-date training experience.

— Barbara J. Hensley author of An EMDR Therapy Primer: From Practicum to Practice

Learn from the Elite: EMDR Institute's Distinguished Faculty

Our faculty is comprised of internationally recognized speakers, published authors, and esteemed members of EMDR-focused associations.

They are experts in their fields and handpicked to teach at the EMDR Institute for their exceptional ability to deliver Dr. Shapiro's original, proven protocols with fidelity and engagement. Trainees consistently praise our programs, noting the seamless integration of EMDR into their professional practice, significantly enhancing and broadening the impact of their therapeutic work.

EMDR Institute Faculty

Alicia Avila, LCSW

Clinician in private practice treating adults with a wide array of problems from psychiatric disorders and trauma to general life stressors.

Judy Cabeceiras, LMFT

Clinician in private practice in Connecticut. She sees adults, adolescents, and families with a wide range of issues.

Wendy Freitag, PhD

Clinical Psychologist and coach, with over 25 years of experience working with adults on personal and professional issues.

Katy Murray, LICSW

Katy specializes in trauma-related disorders, chemical dependency, grief, and psycho-oncology.

Mark Nickerson, LICSW

Mark Nickerson, LICSW is a psychotherapist in Massachusetts, US for 40 years, an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and an EMDR Institute Trainer.

Carolyn Settle, LCSW

Carolyn Settle, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, EMDR Institute facilitator and consultant, international speaker, author and researcher.

Roger Solomon, PhD

Roger is a senior trainer for the EMDR Institute, providing basic and advanced EMDR trainings and workshops internationally.

Rosalie Thomas, RN, PhD

Clinical psychologist with over 25 years’ experience in the treatment of trauma-related disorders and clients with medical concerns.

Debra Wesselmann, LIMHP

Co-founder of The Attachment and Trauma Center of Nebraska and has specialized in treating attachment trauma for 33 years.

Who Is Eligible?

Licensed Professionals: Medical doctors and advanced practice registered nurses with a specialization in psychiatric mental health, and mental health clinicians with a master's degree in a mental health field are eligible if they are licensed in their state or province. Those with only chemical dependency licenses are not eligible.
Pre-Licensed Professionals: Individuals pursuing a mental health license under a licensed supervisor with a master's degree in a mental health field are eligible. This excludes those with only chemical dependency licenses.
Graduate Students: Must be enrolled in a graduate program in a mental health field, have completed core coursework, and be in the practicum/internship phase under a licensed supervisor's guidance. First-year students are not eligible. Required documentation for training registration may include transcripts and a letter from their supervisor.

Read the complete EMDRIA eligibility requirements

Upcoming Trainings

Choose the time-zone that best fits your schedule. Register for upcoming trainings.

We offer two tracks of Basic Training. The first track is designed for clinicians who work primarily with adults. The second has supplemental information for clinicians who work with children and adolescents.

View Complete Schedule

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the complete EMDRIA eligibility requirements to attend EMDR Basic Training?

EMDRIA Requirements

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.
Graduate students who would like to take an EMDR Training will need to submit certain documentation (graduate transcript, practicum or internship details, and a letter from their supervisor which includes the supervisor's license information and number) in order to verify their eligibility. Students do not need to provide EMDRIA with any documentation unless specifically asked to do so by EMDRIA staff. Any documentation that needs to be submitted would go directly to the training provider either prior to or during the training registration process.

Do you include case consultation rates in your training cost?

We believe in giving you the freedom to choose what works best for you. That's why we skip in-house consultation and let you pick from our diverse pool of highly skilled and committed consultants, all across the country. It's all about making it easy, flexible, and tailored to your needs. The Institute’s approved consultants are all highly trained and have many years of experience in the protocols and processes developed by Dr. Shapiro, founder of EMDR and the EMDR Institute. You can be confident that you will be trained by the very best!

Are your trainings online or in-person?

Can I mix the Adult focused Basic Training and the Child & Adolescent focused trainings?

The decision about which training to take would depend upon how much you work with children and adolescents. If most of your clients are children, then we recommend the Child & Adolescent training. The Child & Adolescent training is the same as the adult training with the exception that the vignettes and videos are specific to children; therefore, the time frame is the same. Many people take the Adult training for one of the weekends and then take the Child & Adolescent training for the other weekend.

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. Medical doctors and advanced practice registered nurses with a specialization in psychiatric mental health, and mental health clinicians with a master's degree in a mental health field are eligible if they are licensed in their state or province. Those with only chemical dependency licenses are not eligible. Provisional/Associate licensure may register as an “intern” and must supply a supervisor letter (must be under clinical supervision during the training).

Intern/Graduate Student /Provisional/Associate Licenses
For interns or students, completion of graduate level coursework at an accredited school, and must be on a licensing track, working under state sanctioned supervision by a licensed clinician, as outlined in your licensure policies. You will be asked to submit a current supervisor’s letter with his/her degree and license number during registration.

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.

Is your program approved for CE credits?

CE certificate for 20 credits will be issued upon completion of Weekend 1 and 20 credits upon completion of Weekend 2.

Our Home Study ETHICS Course is eligible for 5 CE credits

Certificate of Completion Requirements:

Completion of Weekend 1 and Weekend 2 Trainings, pass quizzes and complete evaluations.
Reading the textbook, EMDR: Basic Principles, Protocols and Procedures (Shapiro 2018)
10 hours of case consultation with an EMDR Institute Approved Consultant (5 hours are required prior to Weekend 2; 5 hours after Weekend 2), fees not included in training cost.
You must complete this process within one year of taking weekend 1 basic training.

Case Consultation

10 hours of case consultation are required to complete our EMDR Basic Training
(5 hours required prior to attending Weekend 2 and 5 hours post Weekend 2)
A list of EMDR Institute Approved Consultants will be given at each training. Use of an EMDR Institute trained consultant is required
We recommend allowing 3-4 months in between weekend 1 and weekend 2 in order to complete the first 5 consultation hours
Workshop fees do not include case consultation
Group consultation rates are available from some consultants. The hourly rate is set by the consultant.

Unlock the Transformative Power of EMDR and Navigate the Path to Mastery

Learn from the training institute of Francine Shapiro, PhD, developer of EMDR therapy and founder of the EMDR Institute.

EMDR Therapy Basic Training

— W2 Basic Training Participant

— W2 Kids Basic Training Participant

— W2 Basic Training Participant

— W2 Basic Training Participant

— W2 Basic Training Participant

— W1 Basic Training Participant

— W1 Basic Training Participant

— Specialty Applications Workshop Participant

— W1 Basic Training Participant

Basic Training through the EMDR Institute -How Our Program Works

Step 1: Understand what EMDR Training is

Step 2: Make sure you are eligible

Step 3: Register for training

Step 4: Take your training

Step 5: Complete EMDR Training

EMDR Basic Training Highlights

Training Objectives

Virtual Training Format

Important Note

Important Note

Learn from the Elite: EMDR Institute's Distinguished Faculty

Our faculty is comprised of internationally recognized speakers, published authors, and esteemed members of EMDR-focused associations.

Alicia Avila, LCSW

Judy Cabeceiras, LMFT

Wendy Freitag, PhD

Katy Murray, LICSW

Mark Nickerson, LICSW

Carolyn Settle, LCSW

Roger Solomon, PhD

Rosalie Thomas, RN, PhD

Debra Wesselmann, LIMHP

Who Is Eligible?

Upcoming Trainings

Frequently Asked Questions

Stay Up to Date

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Basic Training through the EMDR Institute -
How Our Program Works