EMDR Therapy Training Requirements
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy that was originally designed and developed by Francine Shapiro in the 1980s to alleviate problems from adverse experiences. EMDR therapy accesses and processes these traumatic memories in order to formulate new adaptive memories in their place, utilizing bilateral stimulation to accelerate the process. This therapy has become a vital tool for many mental health clinicians, as it helps people to heal from psychological trauma the same way they would from physical trauma.
Since this is a specialised field, there is specific basic training, approved by EMDR International Association, to provide the best possible care for people who are suffering from mental illnesses. The process of training for EMDR therapy includes all the details needed to heal the past that continues to disturb the present.
If you are looking to get the appropriate training in order to get trained to perform EMDR therapy, there are basic eligibility requirements that you need to meet. The requirements for this type of training differ depending on what position in your career you are in at the moment. Below is a breakdown of the requirements at various levels.
Students
In order for graduate students to be eligible for EMDR training, they need to be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program in the mental health field or a related discipline. Students need to be on a licensure track (see below) and in the internship part of their program with access to clients. Thus, first-year graduate students are not eligible for this type of training.
All students registering for training need to be supervised by a licensed mental health clinician.
Graduate students also need to submit their graduation transcript, a letter from their supervisor, as well as their internship details in order to verify their eligibility when registering or at the training facility.
Pre-license Mental Health Clinicians
In order to qualify for training, pre-licensed professionals need to have a master’s degree in mental health or a related discipline.
They should be actively pursuing a license in their field from the state board while they work under a licensed supervisor.
Individuals who only hold licenses in chemical dependency or substance abuse do not qualify for this training and will need to get an additional relevant license in order to be eligible.
To be able to receive training, pre-licensed professionals need to be working under a licensed clinician until they acquire a license for themselves.
Licensed Mental Health Professionals
Medical professionals with a valid license to practice in their state/province are eligible for this training.
Mental Health clinicians must have a relevant master’s or doctoral degree in the mental health field and should be licensed to practice in their area in order to be eligible for training.
Individuals with licenses only in chemical dependency and/or substance abuse do not qualify as these licenses are not on the mental health side of the practice.
Trained and practicing nurses must have a relevant master’s degree in nursing with a specialization in psychiatric mental health nursing in order to qualify for training.
If you meet the eligibility criteria and are looking for an EMDR training center for clinicians, EMDR & Beyond can help you become Basic trained and further your EMDR skills with EMDR specialty courses and events.. Check out the list of courses they offer on their website.