Buyer, beware: what to look for in your EMDR training or CEU courses

There are more and more options arising in the area of EMDR training and CEU options; however, not all courses are created equal. Here is what to look for when selecting an EMDR basic training course or signing up for your EMDR advanced training CEUs and why it’s important. 

“ EMDRIA approved “ accreditation. 

EMDRIA, Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing International Association,  is the governing body for EMDR therapy. This group standardizes training and practices for EMDR therapy. They also standardize the different levels of certification, consultation, and training that are designated as true EMDR therapy, meaning practiced and taught to fidelity. Any training that is eligible to work towards certification in EMDR must be approved through EMDRIA and this accreditation gives potential learners the confidence that the trainings they are attending, have met the rigorous criteria that EMDRIA requires.

Here’s the thing, EMDR therapy has gained significant popularity over the past few years, and rightfully so. EMDR therapy works incredibly well on so many different, presenting problems. The issue is, many people have created, trainings, basic trainings, as well as advanced, trainings, and EMDR principles, but have not gone through the process of registering their trainings with EMDRIA.  

Why is it a problem if the training is not registered with  EMDRIA? 

Part of the way that EMDRIA ensures the quality of care, and the quality of training that an EMDR therapist receives is through the criteria of held by their trainers. People who attend trainings that are not accredited by  EMDRIA cannot pursue further certifications with  EMDRIA. For example, someone who attended an EMDR basic training, that was not accredited through EMDRIA, could never then pursue  EMDRIA certification, become a consultant, take part in the EMDRIA registry, or become a trainer themselves.  And while someone may learn a good deal from a non-accredited training, there is no opportunity to pursue or advance one’s EMDR career further. 

And here’s where the major caution point comes in. 

 Some of the marketing techniques on these trainings can be fairly deceptive. I had a supervisee talk with me just a few months ago about a training that she was hoping to attend. It sounded great, the fire looked legitimate, and they even had a registering agent whose acronym included the letters, “EMDR”, but it wasn’t EMDRIA. This training cost a large amount of money, similar to many of the EMDR therapy  basic training courses; however, if I supervise you were to of attended that training, she could never pursue certification without attending an additional EMDRIA-certified basic training. 

Well, not every EMDR therapist will choose to pursue full EMDR certification or choose to become a consultant or desire to be on the database of EMDR therapists, most therapist have to be very particular with their time and financial investments, and their career. Choosing and selecting EMDR I an approved, basic trainings and advanced training courses give therapists the most options with their careers and future pursuits.

If you are wondering whether a training that you are interested in is  EMDRIA approved, there is a list of approved trainers on the EMDRIA website. Connecting with an EMDRIA-approved consultant may also help in navigating, which trainings may be the best fit for you.