This page is for EMDR therapists as well as for mental health professionals not yet trained in EMDR, who want to deepen their skills, improve client outcomes, and expand their trauma treatment approaches.
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, evidence-based psychotherapy. It is a structured, eight-phase therapy model that facilitates adaptive information processing. It helps clients reprocess traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation (BLS) such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. EMDR offers a structured but flexible approach that supports the brain and body in processing trauma in a way that is often less verbally intensive than other therapies.
How Is EMDR Different from Other Trauma Therapies?
EMDR differs from traditional talking therapies, such as Prolonged Exposure and CBT, in that it places far less emphasis on detailed verbal descriptions of the event. Instead, it focuses on helping the client's brain naturally reprocess memories by integrating adaptive information. Rather than focusing primarily on changing thoughts through discussion, EMDR works with how memories are stored in the brain and body, including emotional and physical (“felt sense”) experiences. It is often described as a “bottoms-up” approach because it attends closely to the physiological and sensory aspects of memory, supporting the nervous system to reprocess distressing experiences in a more adaptive way. Key features of EMDR include: • It does not require prolonged exposure to traumatic material • Detailed descriptions of the trauma are not necessary, which may also reduce the risk of vicarious traumatisation for the therapist • Many people experience symptom relief relatively quickly, with positive effects often generalising to related memories and experiences • It works with both explicit (conscious) and implicit (non-verbal or somatic) memory networks • There is typically no structured homework between sessions
How Do I Train in EMDR Therapy?
To train in EMDR therapy, you need to complete an accredited EMDR training program that is certified through a recognised EMDR organisation, such as your national EMDR association. Accredited training ensures that the course meets established standards for clinical safety, ethical practice, and competency in EMDR delivery. Make sure you meet criteria for the training - the criteria should be available on your national EMDR association's webpage. Basic EMDR training is typically structured in stages and combines didactic teaching, skills practice, and supervised application in clinical work. A key feature of EMDR training is that you begin working with EMDR with selected clients immediately after the first part of the training, alongside ongoing supervision and guidance. Most basic EMDR training programs are attended over several months and are usually completed within about a year. After completing basic training, clinicians often continue to develop their skills through further consultation, advanced training, and accreditation pathways.
Which Clients Benefit Most from EMDR?
EMDR therapy is effective across a wide range of clinical presentations: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Complex trauma and developmental trauma Anxiety disorders and panic Depression Phobias Grief and loss Recent events Addictions Reactions to illness and physical injury
How Can Therapists Improve Their EMDR Skills?
To advance your EMDR practice: Attend advanced EMDR training workshops Join EMDR consultation groups Develop expertise in complex trauma and dissociation through relevant books and manuals Engage in ongoing clinical supervision with an accredited EMDR Case Consultant
Can EMDR Be Integrated with Other Therapies?
Yes, EMDR integrates well alongside other therapy modalities.
Can you offer EMDR to neurodivergent clients?
Yes — EMDR can be effective with neurodivergent clients. Many clinicians report that EMDR can work very well when the therapy is adapted thoughtfully to the client’s sensory, communication, emotional regulation, and processing needs. EMDR therapy is structured yet enables flexibility and adaptation to every client’s unique abilities, including clients who are neurodivergent.