EMDR- eye movement desensitization reprocessing- What is that?

There are A LOT of buzz words in the world of mental health! It is confusing when you aren’t steeped in that world day in and day out. There are so many acronyms and initials used it’s hard to figure out exactly what is what.

EMDR is a specialized treatment for people who experienced traumatic events. It is a structured therapy that asks people to briefly think about the trauma while also paying attention to eye movements (BLS) to reduce the most disturbing symptoms. Research studies have shown that the vividness and emotional distress from the memories decrease with EMDR and PTSD symptoms decrease.

EMDR training requires your therapist to attend 52 credit hours that include consultations and experiential components where the therapists learning practice with each other to fully absorb the concepts and demonstrate proficiency in this modality. Training happens over a number of days or months and ends with an exam.

After this training your therapist is EMDR trained but not certified. Certification requires extra steps and ongoing continuing education to maintain the certification.

From EMDRIA, the Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing International Association, “An EMDR Certified Therapist ™ has engaged in at least 20 hours of consultation with an EMDR Consultant™ for EMDR and has practiced their skills with at least 25 different clients in at least 50 EMDR sessions. An EMDR Certified Therapist™ has voluntarily met standards of consultation, clinical practice, and continuing education to provide EMDR therapy. An EMDR Certified Therapist™ is committed to fulfill ethical standards and is engaged in continuing education. To maintain this certification, a therapist must continue to satisfy the EMDRIA requirement including completion of continuing education requirements and adherence to ethical standards.”

EMDR certified they receive this badge to display for you to easily identify their commitment to best practices.