EMDR Basic TRAININGS
Check Out Our In Person And Virtual Training Dates Below
Trainings Made Convienent For You
We are offering both In Person and Virtual trainings to ensure that you're able to learn EMDR in a way that works with your life and your schedule. Take a look at the training dates below to find one that works for you.
If you're interested in having us come and offer an EMDR in your area, please reach out to us directly through our Contact Us Page so we can set up a time to chat about your needs.
If you're interested in doing a private EMDR training for your agency or practice, please reach out to use directly through our Contact Us Page so we can set up a time to chat about your needs and what you're looking for.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE REGISTERING FOR AN EMDR BASIC TRAINING
Who Can Take EMDR Basic Training?
Eligibility Requirements For Basic Trainings
Licensed Mental Health Professionals
You qualify for EMDR Basic Training if you are:
- A licensed medical doctor with authorization to practice in your state or province.
- An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with a Master of Science in Nursing (or higher) specializing in psychiatric mental health, licensed through your state or provincial board.
- A licensed mental health clinician with a master's degree (or higher) in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, Psychiatry, Social Work, or a related field.
🚫 Not Eligible: Professionals with only a chemical dependency or substance abuse license, as these credentials typically do not include a mental health scope of practice.
Pre-Licensed Mental Health Professionals
If you are actively working toward full licensure under supervision, you may qualify. This includes professionals with associate, intern, limited, provisional, temporary, or pre-licensed status. To be eligible, you must:
- Hold a master’s degree in a mental health field.
- Be actively pursuing full licensure through your state or provincial board.
- Be working under the supervision of a fully licensed mental health professional.
🚫 Not Eligible: Those with only a chemical dependency or substance abuse license.
Graduate Students
Graduate students in a master’s or doctoral program in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, Psychiatry, Psychiatric Nursing, or Social Work may qualify if they:
- Have completed their core academic coursework and are in the practicum or internship phase.
- Are on a licensing track and working under the supervision of a fully licensed clinician.
- Are NOT in their first year of graduate school.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students
Students must provide documentation to verify eligibility, including:
- A graduate transcript showing completed coursework.
- Details of their practicum or internship placement.
- A letter from their supervisor confirming supervision and including license details.
Documentation should be submitted directly to the training provider during registration (not to EMDRIA unless requested).
Schedule & Curriculum
Virtual Training
Virtual Training on Zoom
Our EMDR training takes place on Zoom, so please download and set up Zoom before the first session to ensure a smooth login process.
Receiving Your Zoom Link
You’ll receive your Zoom link 3 days before training begins. If you don’t see it in your inbox, please reach out to us so we can make sure you have access before the first session.
Training Materials
Three days before training, a PDF copy of the EMDR training guide and workbook will be made available in your trainee portal. You’re welcome to review it in advance, but it’s not required.
Training Schedule & Attendance
- Training starts at 7:30 AM (check-in) and runs until 5:00 PM. Please be on time.
- Cameras must remain on for the entire training to verify attendance and ensure you receive credit for your hours.
- Don’t worry—we’ll have regular breaks to help you recharge throughout the day.
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out. We’re looking forward to seeing you in training!
In Person Training
Location & Accommodations
We strive to host our trainings in locations that are easily accessible, with nearby hotels, transit options, and food choices. If the training is held at a hotel, you are welcome to stay there for convenience. Otherwise, feel free to book accommodations at any local hotel or Airbnb that suits your needs.
Training Schedule & Attendance
- Training runs from 7:30 AM (check-in) to 5:00 PM each day.
- Please arrive on time.Attendance is required for the full training to ensure you receive credit for your hours.
Comfort & Accessibility
We understand that sitting for long periods can be challenging. You are encouraged to:
- Move around as needed during training.
- Take restroom breaks as required.
- Eat when necessary to stay comfortable and focused.
Your well-being is important to us, and we want to make sure you’re able to fully engage in the training experience.
Materials & Refreshments
- You will receive a printed EMDR training guide and workbook on the first day, no need to bring your own.
- We provide coffee, tea, and snacks throughout the day.
- Lunch is not provided, so plan accordingly by bringing your own or exploring nearby dining options.
If you have any questions before training, feel free to reach out. We look forward to welcoming you in person!
Learning Objectives
What You’ll Learn In Our EMDR Basic Training
Our EMDR Basic Training is designed to give you a solid foundation in EMDR therapy, helping you confidently integrate it into your clinical practice.
Here’s what you’ll walk away with:
Understanding the Foundations of EMDR
- Explore Dr. Francine Shapiro’s groundbreaking research that led to EMDR therapy.
- Compare different ways the brain processes and stores distressing experiences.
The Science Behind Memory & Healing
- Learn how the brain naturally processes memories using the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model.
- Understand the neurobiology of trauma and memory networks to enhance your clinical work.
Stage 1: Case Formulation & Preparation
- Master a biopsychosocial intake process through the AIP lens to assess client readiness.
- Learn essential stabilization techniques to help clients regulate emotions.
- Develop a structured plan for identifying and targeting distressing memories.
Stage 2: Processing Traumatic Memories
- Apply EMDR’s standard eight-phase protocol for effective trauma reprocessing.
- Adapt EMDR techniques to meet individual client needs and manage processing challenges.
- Learn key intervention strategies to support clients through difficult moments.
- Choose appropriate techniques to help clients regulate emotions during processing.
Stage 3: Integration & Long-Term Healing
- Understand how to integrate EMDR into a broader treatment plan for lasting therapeutic outcomes.
Adapting EMDR for Different Populations
- Discover how to tailor EMDR for diverse client populations, including those with complex trauma, dissociation, and unique therapeutic needs.
This training will give you hands-on experience and the confidence to use EMDR effectively in your practice. Ready to take the next step?
Training Requirements
Training Requirements
- 20 Hours Didactic Learning (lecture style)
- 20 Hours Practicum
- 10 Hours Consultation (group format)
Attendance
- To be eligible for CE credits, participants must complete the full training and submit all required evaluation forms. Missing more than 15 minutes at any point during the training will result in ineligibility for both CE credits and the Certificate of Completion.
- Participants are required to attend all training days and actively engage in all supervised practice exercises and group consultation sessions.
- If a participant cannot attend the entirety of the training, please read the NAME OF DOC
Required Readings
- A Guide to the Standard EMDR Therapy Protocols for Clinicians, Supervisors … ~ Andrew M. Leeds, PhD
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic … ~ Francine Shapiro
Experiential Practice Sessions
The EMDR Basic Training is an intensive program that includes 20 hours of experiential practice sessions. Since this is a training, not a therapy session, please come prepared to use personal examples that are not triggering or related to issues you're currently addressing in therapy. Some potential examples could include concerns such as the anxiety around transitioning to an EMDR treatment model with your clients, or the fear of imposter syndrome when beginning to work with EMDR.
In Person Training
Whitby, Ontario
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Burlington, Ontario
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Virtual Training
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In Person Training
Kingston, Ontario
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In Person Training
Ottawa, Ontario
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FAQ ABOUT TRAININGS
In Person Training
- You're welcome to stay at the hotel that the training is located at, or if it's not at a hotel, you're welcome to stay at any local hotels or airbnbs
- We try to organize trainings in locations that are accessible, and have hotels, transit and food nearby
- We provide coffee, tea, and snacks throughout the trainings, you're on your own for lunch though
- We provide the EMDR training guide and workbook for you on the first day of training
Virtual Trainings
- Our trainings are done on Zoom, so please download zoom before the first day of training to ensure login is done smoothly
- You will receive the Zoom link 3 days before the first day of training, if you do not receive it please reach out to us so we can ensure you receive it before training begins
- You'll receive a pdf copy of the EMDR training guide and workbook 3 days before the first day of training. You're welcome to go through it ahead of time, but you don't have to and we don't require it.
- Your camera is required to be on throughout the entirety of the training, we need this to ensure that you're present in the training so you can get your hours for the training
Daily Schedules
- For both In Person and Virtual trainings we have breaks throughout the day as well as a break for lunch.
- We understand that some people have a difficult time sitting for the entirety of a training so we encourage you to get up and move if you need to, take restroom breaks, and eat as you need to. We want to ensure that your needs are cared for throughout the entirety of the training.
What qualifications do I need to take the EMDR Basic Training?
To enroll in EMDR Basic Training, you must be a licensed mental health professional (e.g., therapist, counsellor, social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist) or an advanced practice registered nurse. You must also have a master's degree or higher in a relevant field, and be licensed to practice in your state or province. Pre-licensed clinicians and graduate students may be eligible under certain conditions.
How long does EMDR Basic Training take?
We offer two options
- 2 weekends, 1 month apart
- 5 day intensive
Do I need prior experience with trauma therapy to take this training?
No, you don’t need prior trauma therapy experience. While understanding trauma and having some clinical experience will be helpful, the training is designed for therapists at various stages of their careers. The goal is to equip you with the knowledge and tools to use EMDR in your practice, regardless of your background.
What ongoing support is available after completing the EMDR Basic Training?
After completing the EMDR Basic Training, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in consultation sessions with trained EMDR consultants to ensure that you're applying the method effectively and ethically. Included in your training fee are 10 consultation hours with one of our trainers. These sessions are done in groups of 4 or 8 and are typically 60 minutes to 120 minutes in length
As a neurodivergent therapist, can I apply EMDR in a way that aligns with my needs and working style?
Absolutely. EMDR is a flexible modality, and as a neurodivergent therapist, you can adjust your practice to suit your own sensory preferences, processing style, and pacing. The training encourages therapists to tailor their approach to fit their unique needs and the needs of their clients. For example, if you find that certain elements of the process are overstimulating, you can modify them to create a more comfortable and effective experience for both you and your clients
How do you tailor the EMDR training to accommodate neurodivergent therapists?
The EMDR training is designed to be inclusive and flexible, and we are committed to accommodating neurodivergent therapists' unique needs. We provide a variety of learning formats and strategies, such as visual aids, clear written instructions, and the option to engage in one-on-one support or small group consultations if necessary.
You'll receive more information via email prior to your training with details about the day, specific instructions for locations, the website resources, as well as anything else you need to know.
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