Clients who have suffered for years from distressing memories, anxiety, nightmares, insomnia, abuse, or other traumatic events can now gain relief from a revolutionary therapy called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing).

Research shows that EMDR is rapid, safe and effective. EMDR does not involve the use of drugs or hypnosis. It is a simple, non-invasive patient-therapist collaboration in which healing can happen effectively.

This powerful short-term therapy is highly effective for a wide variety of disorders including chronic pain, phobias, depression, panic attacks, eating disorders and poor self-image, stress, worry, stage fright, performance anxiety, recovery from sexual abuse and traumatic incidents.

Many patients who have made slow progress in the past, or who have not benefited from more traditional therapies say that with EMDR they have finally found something that works for them!

EMDRIA Certification Requirements:

EMDR Clinicians who have completed and EMDRIA approved Level I and Level II (or its equivalent) are eligible to seek EMDRIA Certification in EMDR. Certification currently represents a professional standard of excellence. Certification strengthens your professional status and helps strengthen our professional organization (EMDRIA)

EMDR Therapists who wish to become a Certified Therapist in EMDR Criteria must Show written evidence of:

  1. Completing an EMDRIA approved Level I & II training
  2. State License/certification/registration as a mental health professional
  3. Two years of clinical practice in your field of licensure
  4. Having conducted at least 50 EMDR sessions with no less than 25 clients.
  5. 20 hours of consultation by an EMDRIA Approved EMDR Consultant
  1. At least 10 hours individual, face-to-face EMDR case consultation (phone consultation in rural areas)
  2. Remaining 10 hours may be obtained through small group consultation
  3. Letter(s) of recommendation from one or more EMDRIA Approved EMDR Consultants regarding applicant’s utilization of EMDR (while in the consulting relationship)
  4. Two letters of recommendation regarding their professional utilization of EMDR in practice, ethics in practice, and professional character.
  5. Two-year renewal: Completion of at least 12 hours of EMDRIA Credits in EMDR during every two-year period.
  6. Certification will be reviewed every two years and will require documentation of 12 EMDRIA Credits and a renewal fee.

What is EMDRIA?

EMDRIA is a nonprofit 501(c)(6), public benefit corporation, which is the professional association for EMDR practitioners. To quote from our bylaws, “The primary objective of EMDRIA is to establish, maintain and promote the highest standards of excellence and integrity in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) practice, research and education.”

To that end, EMDRIA evaluates training programs, maintains a Register of qualified EMDR clinicians, holds an annual conference, publishes a newsletter, develops practice guidelines for the application of EMDR in various settings, supports research into EMDR, advocates for the use of EMDR with managed care companies and other health care providers, and informs the general public about EMDR.

In short, EMDRIA is the vehicle by which practitioners can best assure that EMDR develops in a professional manner, while at the same time obtain access to the latest clinical information and research data on EMDR.