What You Need to Know About EMDR Basic Training

When I signed up for EMDR Basic Training in January 2020, I had no idea what I was getting into — or how profoundly it would change my clinical work and professional identity. If you are considering EMDR training, or are in the process of choosing a program, here is what I wish someone had told me before I started.

Why EMDRIA Approval Matters

Not all EMDR trainings are created equal. The EMDRIA (EMDR International Association) approval is the gold standard for EMDR Basic Training, and choosing an EMDRIA-approved program matters for several important reasons. EMDRIA-approved trainings adhere to rigorous standards for curriculum content, trainer qualifications, and training hours. Completing an approved training is required for EMDR certification and ensures that your training is recognized by insurance panels, employers, and the broader EMDR community.

There are programs available that teach "EMDR techniques" without EMDRIA approval. While these may offer useful information, they do not provide the comprehensive, standardized training that prepares clinicians to use EMDR safely and effectively with trauma populations. Investing in an approved program from the start saves time, money, and potential clinical complications down the road.

The Training Structure

EMDR Basic Training consists of 40 hours of instruction delivered in two three-day segments, typically called Part 1 and Part 2. Part 1 covers the foundational theory (Adaptive Information Processing model), the eight phases of EMDR, and Phases 1 through 3 in depth. Between Part 1 and Part 2, trainees begin practicing with clients under guidance. Part 2 covers Phases 4 through 8 in greater depth and addresses more complex clinical applications.

My training began with Part 1 in January 2020 and Part 2 in March 2020 — just before the world changed dramatically. Despite the timing, the structure of the training provided a solid foundation that held up even as everything else was shifting.

What the Training Is Actually Like

Interactive and Cameras On

If you are expecting a passive lecture experience, EMDR Basic Training will surprise you. The training is highly interactive, with demonstrations, small group practice, and real-time feedback. In virtual settings, cameras are expected to be on — this is not a training you can attend while multitasking. The interactive nature is intentional: EMDR is a relational modality, and learning it requires relational engagement.

Working as Clients

One of the most powerful — and sometimes unexpected — aspects of the training is that trainees practice on each other, taking turns as both therapist and client. This means you will experience EMDR from the client's perspective, processing real material from your own life. This experiential component serves multiple purposes: it builds empathy for the client experience, deepens understanding of the protocol, and provides an opportunity for personal processing that can enhance your clinical presence.

Be prepared for this component emotionally. Choose material that is manageable within the training context, and know that your trainers and fellow trainees are there to support you. Many clinicians report that this experiential element was the most transformative part of their training.

Consultation Hours

Following the 40-hour training, clinicians are required to complete 10 hours of consultation with an EMDRIA-approved consultant. These consultation hours are where the training truly comes alive. You bring real cases, discuss challenges, receive feedback on your protocol adherence, and deepen your clinical sophistication with EMDR.

Consultation is not a formality — it is where good EMDR therapists become great ones. The cases you bring to consultation, the questions you ask, and the feedback you receive will shape your clinical identity as an EMDR practitioner.

The Relational Training Approach

What set my training experience apart was the relational approach of the program. Rather than treating trainees as passive recipients of information, the training environment modeled the same attunement, safety, and respect that we are expected to bring to our clients. Questions were welcomed, vulnerability was honored, and the learning environment itself became a demonstration of the therapeutic principles underlying EMDR.

The EMDR Circle Community

One of the most valuable aspects of my training journey was connecting with a community of fellow EMDR clinicians through the EMDR Circle. Having access to a community of learners who are navigating the same challenges — from protocol questions to complex case presentations — transforms the often-isolating experience of private practice into a collaborative journey. The learning does not stop when the training weekend ends; it continues in consultation groups, community forums, and ongoing professional development.

EMDR Basic Training is not just a credential to add to your bio — it is the beginning of a fundamental shift in how you understand trauma and healing. Approach it with openness, invest in a quality program, and prepare to be changed by the experience.