Once you have completed an EMDR Training, you are considered an EMDR trained clinician.  EMDR Certification requires additional levels of continuing education and consultation in EMDR and is a separate process.  Go to EMDRIA.org to learn more about the EMDR Certification Process.

EMDR therapy helps children and adults of all ages. Therapists use EMDR therapy to address a wide range of challenges:

• Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
• Chronic Illness and medical issues
• Depression and bipolar disorders
• Dissociative disorders

• Eating disorders
• Grief and loss
• Pain
• Performance anxiety
• Personality disorders
• PTSD and other trauma and stress-related issues

• Sexual assault
• Sleep disturbance
• Substance abuse and addiction
• Violence and abuse

Since EMDR Therapy requires extensive training, it should only be offered by properly trained clinicians.  EMDRIA does not condone or support indiscriminate uses of EMDR therapy, such as “do-it-yourself” virtual therapy.

EMDR Therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or completing homework between sessions.  EMDR Therapy allows the brain to resume to its natural healing process. 

No, during EMDR processing, the client is present and fully in control of the experience.

The length of treatment depends on the client’s complexity, such as Complex Trauma (often takes several sessions) versus Simple Trauma (A single incident that only takes 1-2 sessions).

Additionally, one or more sessions are required for the therapist to understand the nature of the presenting problem and to decide whether EMDR Therapy is an appropriate treatment.  The therapist will also discuss EMDR Therapy more fully and provide an opportunity to answer questions about the method.  A typical EMDR Therapy session lasts from 60 to 90 minutes.  The type of problem, life circumstances and the amount of previous trauma will determine how many treatment sessions are necessary. 

Yes--your client will most likely experience emotions and sensations during processing; although, the client will be prepared and safely managed by the clinician during processing.

No, full disclosure (meaning details of the trauma) is not necessary for the experience to be processed.

The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) is a membership organization of mental health professionals dedicated to the highest standards of excellence and integrity in EMDR.  EMDRIA distributes brochures, publishes a quarterly newsletter, holds an annual conference, evaluates training programs and maintains programs and listings of EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Approved Consultants and Provides of Basic EMDR Training. 

EMDRIA is the ongoing support system for EMDR trained practitioners and provides the mechanism for the continued development of EMDR in a professional manner.  Through EMDRIA, practitioners have access to the latest clinical information and research data on EMDR Therapy.