By Jennifer Savage, LPC
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a powerful, evidence-based approach for treating mental health concerns stemming from traumatic experiences.
At Beyond Healing Institute, we offer EMDRIA-approved Basic Training for therapists who want to use EMDR in a safe, ethical, and transformative way.
But who exactly should take this training? The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) outlines three categories of eligible participants: licensed mental health professionals, pre-licensed mental health professionals, and graduate students enrolled in a mental health program.
Let’s take a closer look at who should consider EMDR Basic Training and what to expect when you enroll with Beyond Healing Institute.
#1: Licensed Mental Health Professionals
If you are a licensed clinician providing psychotherapy, you meet the first eligibility category for EMDR Basic Training. You must be licensed to practice independently in a mental health field in your state. Good examples include:
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Licensed Psychologist (PhD or PsyD)
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner providing psychotherapy
You are an ideal candidate for EMDR Basic Training if you are a clinician who wishes to expand your clinical toolkit, integrate trauma-informed approaches into your work, and support your clients more effectively through evidence-based care.
#2: Pre-Licensed Mental Health Professionals
If you are working under supervision as you pursue full licensure, you may qualify as a pre-licensed professional. Therapists in this category are sometimes referred to as an associate, provisional, or intern-level clinician.
Eligible professionals in this category typically have the following qualifications:
- A master’s or doctoral degree in a mental health field, such as counseling, psychology, or social work
- Actively pursuing licensure through their state or provincial board
- Currently working under the supervision of a fully licensed clinician
- Currently providing psychotherapy services
Pre-licensed professionals often find EMDR Basic Training to be a pivotal step toward developing a strong, well-rounded clinical foundation. It prepares them to integrate somatic and relational approaches with trauma-informed care as they progress through their careers.
#3: Graduate Students in a Mental Health Program
If you are a graduate student, you may be eligible to enroll in EMDR Basic Training if you have completed your core classes and have begun the practicum or internship phase in your degree program.
More specifically, eligibility requirements include:
- Enrollment in a master’s or doctoral program in a mental health field, such as counseling, marriage and family therapy, social work, psychology, or psychiatric nursing
- Actively working in a clinical setting under the supervision of a licensed clinician
- Working toward becoming a licensed mental health professional
Graduate students who wish to take EMDR Basic Training must submit supporting documentation, such as transcripts, practicum details, and a supervisor letter, to verify eligibility during the registration process. First-year graduate students are not eligible.
Who Should Not Take EMDR Basic Training?
For those who are not licensed or in training to become licensed mental health clinicians, EMDR Basic Training is not an appropriate fit. Examples may include:
- Coaches, case managers, or peer support specialists
- Yoga instructors, massage therapists, or other practitioners who do not provide psychotherapy
- Students in unrelated fields or those not yet engaged in practicum-level clinical work
All participants must have the relevant background and context to practice EMDR safely and effectively within the scope of their license.
EMDR Basic Training at Beyond Healing Institute
Grounded in neuroscience, relational ethics, and somatic integration, our EMDR Basic Training course equips clinicians with the necessary skills to assess, conceptualize, and address trauma-related symptoms, as well as insights for targeting past memories, present triggers, and future challenges. Our curriculum includes 20 hours of instruction, 20 hours of practicum, and 10 hours of consultation, all under the guidance of our experienced EMDRIA Approved Consultants.
Instruction (20 Hours)
The instruction component includes in-person and interactive sessions covering the history, methodology, and mechanics of EMDR therapy. Participants become familiar with the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, the eight-phase EMDR protocol, and how to adhere to ethical and clinical considerations.
Practicum (20 Hours)
The practicum phase offers supervised practice of EMDR techniques to promote skill refinement. Participants gain hands-on experience through role-playing triads that include the roles of therapist, client, and observer. Trainers provide constructive feedback on details such as protocol fidelity, bilateral stimulation, attunement, pacing, and therapist presence.
Consultation (10 Hours)
The consultation portion focuses on case conceptualization, target selection, and treatment planning and includes group and individual consultation.
- Group consultation: Participants share questions about specific client cases and walk through each case together. This provides an opportunity to apply the eight-phase protocol and somatic integrated processing (SIP) model to case analysis and promotes a strong sense of shared learning.
- Individual consultation: One-on-one sessions offer a chance for deeper personal reflection and clinical guidance. Our consultants prioritize connection, and growth to help therapists not only use EMDR but to embody it through greater presence and clarity.
Learn More and Register for Training
If you’re a licensed clinician, a pre-licensed therapist, or a graduate student ready for hands-on clinical work, EMDR Basic Training at Beyond Healing Institute is your gateway to professional growth and transformative healing, for your clients and yourself.
Visit us online to apply for EMDR Basic Training. Give us a call at 417-942-7384 or contact us online if you have any questions.