Upcoming EMDR Therapy Basic Trainings


April 17-19, 2026 and May 15-17, 2026 (Virtual)

9:00am-5:30pm CST

Sponsored by AATBS

EMDRIA Approved Training

40 CEs

Required consultation hours are included. Please see FAQs for additional information.


July 15-17, 2026 and September 9-11, 2026 (Virtual)

9:00am-5:30pm CST

Sponsored by AATBS

EMDRIA Approved Training

40 CEs

Required consultation hours are included. Please see FAQs for additional information.

About our EMDR Basic Training

EMDR Education Center’s Basic Training curriculum is based on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Third Edition: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures by Francine Shapiro, PhD. All didactic, practicum, and consultation components maintain fidelity to the standard EMDR therapy model and protocol as required by EMDRIA.

For Licensed Professionals

Eligibility Requirements:  Training participants must be qualified mental health professionals, with a master’s degree in the mental health field (Counseling, Marriage Family Therapy, Psychology, Psychiatry, Social Work) or related mental health discipline and be licensed to practice through their state board or province.

Other professionals, such as medical doctors or advanced practice registered nurses, must be licensed to practice in their state or province.  See EMDRIA's Eligibility Requirements for EMDR Basic Training for more information.

Intern/Graduate Students may attend if they have completed graduate level coursework at an accredited school and be on a licensing track under state-sanctioned supervision by a licensed clinician. Participants must submit a letter from the current supervisor, verifying the participant's status.

Requirements of Training

The training will consist of lecture, live and videotaped demonstrations, and supervised practice. 

Participants must complete the entire training (including 10 hours of case consultation) within 12 months from the initial start date.

Certificate of Completion

A certificate of completion that verifies the participant has completed an EMDRIA-approved basic EMDR training will be issued upon completion of all training requirements, including consultation.  

Continuing Education

40 CE's will be provided by The Wellness Institute for trainings they sponsor. Please see their site for additional information. The Wellness Institute CEs are APA approved.

Training Cost and Registration Transparency

In alignment with EMDRIA’s training policies, EMDR Education Center clearly discloses all costs associated with EMDR Basic Training prior to registration.

Our 50-hour EMDR Basic Training is offered as one comprehensive course that includes didactic instruction, supervised practicum, and 10 hours of required group consultation—all covered by a single registration fee.

This training includes all 10 hours of required group consultation as part of the course. Consultation sessions are pre-scheduled and paired with each cohort, and participants remain with the same consultant for all 10 hours to ensure consistency and continuity in learning.

This transparent pricing ensures that participants know the full cost of training upfront, whether attending virtually or in person, and that the program meets EMDRIA’s standards for a complete and comprehensive Basic Training experience.

Overview of EMDR Therapy Basic Training

Our 50-hour EMDR Basic Training is designed to meet EMDRIA’s requirements for Basic Training. The training includes the didactic instruction, supervised practicum, and all 10-hours of consultation needed to complete basic training.

Instructional

The instructional portion of the training includes 20+ hours of lecture and interactive discussion focused on the theory, principles, and clinical application of EMDR therapy. Participants will learn through case examples, demonstrations, and video illustrations of EMDR sessions with a variety of clients and presenting issues.

The goal of this section is to build a strong foundation in EMDR therapy methodology, case conceptualization, and treatment planning within the framework of the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. Emphasis is placed on understanding how EMDR therapy integrates into comprehensive clinical treatment and how to apply the eight phases of EMDR therapy with fidelity and confidence.

Supervised Practicum

The practicum portion of the training provides 20+ hours of supervised practice and experiential learning, allowing participants to apply EMDR therapy skills in a supportive, small-group environment. Under trainer and consultant guidance, participants will both practice and experience the EMDR therapy process as clinician, client, and observer.

The goal of the supervised practicum is to support the demonstration, practice, and integration of EMDR therapy methodology as defined by the EMDRIA Definition of EMDR Therapy and Shapiro’s EMDR Therapy: Third Edition. Participants gain hands-on experience in all eight phases of EMDR therapy, including target selection, assessment, desensitization, installation, and reevaluation, while receiving real-time feedback to ensure fidelity to the EMDR model.

Consultation

The consultation component of this training includes 10 hours of group consultation focused on supporting participants in the safe and effective integration of EMDR therapy into clinical practice. Consultation is a required component of EMDR Basic Training and serves as a bridge between learning and clinical application.

During consultation, participants receive individualized feedback and case-specific guidance related to case conceptualization, client readiness, target selection, treatment planning, and the integration of EMDR therapy with other therapeutic approaches. These sessions provide an opportunity to deepen understanding of the EMDR therapy method, strengthen clinical skills, and ensure fidelity to the EMDRIA-approved model.

Consultation enhances professional competence by helping clinicians refine their application of EMDR therapy, reduce the risk of developing ineffective habits, and integrate EMDR therapy into their broader clinical framework. Ethical and professional practice guidelines support the use of consultation when adopting new therapeutic methods, ensuring that participants leave training confident, capable, and ready to use EMDR therapy safely and effectively with their clients.

Learning Objectives for EMDR Therapy Basic Training


By the end of the complete EMDR Basic Training, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the underlying Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model and related theories of neurobiology and memory that inform EMDR therapy.

  • Evaluate client readiness and determine the appropriateness of EMDR therapy for a variety of clinical presentations.

  • Integrate EMDR therapy into a comprehensive treatment plan that considers client history, diagnosis, and therapeutic goals.

  • Apply the eight phases of EMDR therapy with fidelity and confidence across diverse client needs.

  • Formulate and implement EMDR therapy strategies for complex cases, including those with trauma, dissociation, and co-occurring conditions..

By the end of Part One (Days 1-3), you will be able to...

  • Identify 3 components of the EMDR Approach designed to provide effective treatment with clients.

  • Describe 3 important existing research studies.

  • Identify the criteria with EMDR therapy to safely and effectively implement EMDR therapy with clients.

  • Describe the criteria for client selection and how to apply to client cases.

  • Describe 3 aspects of the AIP Model for effective case conceptualization and treatment planning.

  • Name the 8 phases of EMDR therapy for comprehensive treatment and how to implement the phases with clients.

By the end of Part Two (Days 1-3), you will be able to...·      

  • Describe a treatment plan to choose and prioritize targets appropriate for EMDR treatment.

  • Describe 3 resources to help clients stay within the window of tolerance.

  • Describe protocols for closing down incomplete sessions.

  • Describe strategies for dealing with highly emotional responses.

  • Describe strategies for dealing with dissociative symptoms and phobias.

  • Describe strategies to treat more complex trauma-related disorders.

Meet Your Trainers


Sarah Cairns, Psy.D

EMDRIA-Approved Trainer and Certified Consultant

View Dr. Sarah's Bio

Wendy Byrd, LMFT, LPC

EMDRIA-Approved Trainer and Certified Consultant

View Wendy's Bio