Getting Started with EMDR: A Step-by-Step Guide for New Therapists

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You’ve heard about EMDR. You know the research is solid. But you’re not sure where to start. Do you need certification? What training is required? And how do you safely integrate EMDR into your practice without overwhelm?

Let’s start from the top.

Why Get EMDR Training?

Proper training is essential for several reasons:

1.  Safety

EMDR activates traumatic memories. Without proper training, you might retraumatize a client or miss signs of destabilization. Training teaches you how to prepare clients, manage heightened emotional activation, and know when to slow down or redirect.

2.  Efficacy

Research shows that EMDR delivered by trained practitioners produces better outcomes. 

3.  Liability

If something goes wrong with an untrained approach, your liability exposure is significant. Proper training documents your competence and protects both you and your clients.

4.  Professional Credibility

If you advertise “EMDR,” clients expect a trained practitioner. Certification signals legitimacy.

The EMDR Training Pathway

Phase 1: Foundational Training (Required)

The entry point to EMDR is a  Basic EMDR Training Course.

What to expect:

• Duration: Typically 40–50 hours over 4–5 days (intensive workshop) or spread over multiple weeks
• Cost: $500–$1,500 depending on trainer and location
• Content:

– History and theory of EMDR

– The eight-phase EMDR protocol

– How to conduct the assessment phase

– Practicing bilateral stimulation techniques

– How to manage emotional activation and crises

– Role plays (you’ll both deliver and receive EMDR)

– Ethics and scope of practice

Why you do this: You learn the foundational protocol. You experience EMDR yourself (important for understanding the client experience). You practice under supervision.

Phase 2: Advanced Practicum (Recommended)

After basic training, the next step is  Level II or  Practicum Training , which is where many therapists truly develop competence.

What to expect:

• Duration: 40–50 hours over several months
• Cost: $500–$1,500
• Content:

– Advanced techniques for complex trauma, dissociation, and difficult cases

– How to work with specific populations (children, military, addiction, etc.)

– Deepening the assessment and treatment planning process

– Role plays and case reviews

– Troubleshooting (what to do when EMDR isn’t working)

– Advanced installation and resource-building

Why you do this: You refine your skills. You learn how to handle real-world complexities. You get feedback from experienced trainers.

Phase 3: Certification (Optional but Recommended)

EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) certification is the gold standard.

Requirements:

• Completion of a minimum number of training hours (typically 200+ total, including basic, practicum, and specialty trainings)
• Clinical experience with a minimum number of EMDR clients (usually 50–100 documented cases)
• Supervision by an EMDRIA-approved consultant
• Continuing education hours annually
• Adherence to a code of ethics

Cost: $500–$2,000 for the certification process, plus annual renewal fees (~$200/year)

Timeline: Typically 1–2 years from starting training to certification completion

Is it worth it?

• If you want to specialize in EMDR: Yes. Certification signals serious expertise.
• If you want EMDR as one tool in a broader practice: Not strictly necessary, but basic + practicum training is still essential.
• If you work with trauma clients frequently: Yes. The structured pathway ensures you’re delivering evidence-based care.

Where to Get Trained

Official EMDRIA Trainers

The  EMDR International Association (www.emdria.org) maintains a list of approved trainers worldwide. These trainers meet rigorous standards.

Advantages:

• Standardized curriculum
• Qualified trainers (typically 10+ years of experience)
• Credits count toward EMDRIA certification
• Reputable

Finding trainers: Visit emdria.org, search by location or format.

Workshop-Based Training

Many conferences, universities, and training centers offer stand-alone EMDR workshops. Quality varies.

How to vet:

• Is the trainer EMDRIA-approved?
• How many hours of training are offered?
• What’s the trainer’s experience level?
• Do attendees get any certification or continuing education credit?

Online Training

Post-pandemic, many trainers offer hybrid or fully online EMDR training. This can be more accessible and affordable.

Considerations:

• Online role plays are less immersive than in-person
• You won’t experience bilateral stimulation yourself as easily
• Technical issues can disrupt learning
• That said, some programs are excellent and well-designed

Look for: Programs that include some synchronous (live) components and hands-on practice.

Building Your EMDR Practice: The First Year

Month 1–2: Complete Basic Training

You’ll likely feel simultaneously confident (“I can do this!”) and uncertain (“Wait, what am I forgetting?”). This is normal.

Month 3–4: Start with Simple Cases

Begin with clients who have:

• Clear, single-incident trauma (not complex, repeated trauma)
• Stable baseline (not in crisis, no active substance abuse)
• Good capacity to tolerate emotion
• Motivation for the work

Good first cases: A client with specific phobia, single-incident trauma, or performance anxiety.

Avoid starting with: Complex trauma, dissociative disorders, active suicidality, active substance abuse. You need more training and supervision for these.

Month 5–6: Enroll in Practicum Training

Don’t wait until you’ve “practiced enough” to get advanced training. Practicum gives you the tools to handle the complex cases more skillfully.

Month 6–12: Seek Supervision

Find an EMDRIA-approved consultant (even if you’re not pursuing certification). Supervision is invaluable.

What supervision looks like:

• Monthly or bi-weekly 1-hour sessions ($50–$150/session)
• You review cases, discuss challenges, get feedback
• You learn how to refine your approach
• You build confidence

The investment is worth it – supervised therapists have better outcomes and fewer missteps.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

1.  Rushing Through the Assessment Phase

Therapists eager to “start” processing often skip thorough history-taking and assessment. This is a mistake. The assessment phase is where you identify the right target, prepare the client, and reduce risk.

Fix: Spend adequate time (often 2–3 sessions) on history and preparation before beginning processing.

2.  Not Building Resources First

A traumatized client needs grounding, coping skills, and a sense of safety before diving into processing. Some beginner therapists skip the resource-building phase.

Fix: Teach grounding techniques and build internal resources (safe place, resourceful person, etc.) before targeting trauma.

3.  Stopping Too Early

After one or two EMDR sessions with no dramatic breakthrough, some therapists think “EMDR isn’t working for this client.” Often, the client just needs more processing.

Fix: Understand that EMDR is typically a 4–12 session process per target memory. Patience matters.

4.  Over-Using EMDR

Not every therapeutic goal requires EMDR. Some clients benefit from traditional talk therapy, cognitive work, or body-based approaches.

Fix: EMDR is a powerful tool, but it’s not the only tool. Use it where it’s indicated.

5.  Not Monitoring for Dissociation

If a client becomes dissociated during EMDR, continuing the bilateral stimulation can deepen the dissociation.

Fix: Watch the client’s face. Notice glazed eyes, no emotional expression, flat speech. If you see dissociation, pause and ground the client.

6.  Skipping Supervision

Some therapists think they can wing it after training. This leads to missed subtleties and slower learning.

Fix: Prioritize supervision, at least in the first year. It accelerates your competence.

Resources for Ongoing Learning

• EMDRIA.org – Organization hub, certification info, trainer directory, annual conference
• EMDR Research Foundation – Latest research on EMDR efficacy
• Trauma Center (Bessel van der Kolk) – Integrates neuroscience with trauma treatment
• Professional books:

– Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) by Francine Shapiro (the original text)

– Getting Past Your Past by Francine Shapiro (more accessible)

– Tapping In by Laurel Parnell (EMDR for resource building)

Key Takeaways

1. Get proper training. Basic EMDR training is non-negotiable. You can’t learn this responsibly from reading alone.
2. Pursue practicum and supervision. The pathway from training to competence includes advanced learning and professional guidance.
3. Start simple, scale gradually. Begin with straightforward cases. Build skill before tackling complex trauma.
4. Stay curious. EMDR is a field that’s still evolving. Continued learning (workshops, reading, conferences) keeps you current.
5. Certification is worth considering. If you’re serious about specialization, EMDRIA certification signals expertise and opens doors.

The investment – both time and money – in proper EMDR training pays dividends. Your clients will experience faster healing, you’ll build a reputation as a trauma specialist, and you’ll practice with confidence and ethical grounding.

References

[1] Shapiro, F. (2001). “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures.” Guilford Press.

[2] EMDR International Association (2021). “EMDRIA Certification and Training Standards.” Retrieved from www.emdria.org.

[3] Maxfield, L., & Hyer, L. A. (2002). “The relationship between the numbing symptom of PTSD and the extinction of conditioned fear.” Behavior Modification, 26(5), 622–643.

[4] Foa, E. B., & Meadows, E. A. (1997). “Psychosocial treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder: A critical review.” Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 106(3), 552–575.