EMDR Therapists are often curious about professional growth opportunities within the EMDR psychology community. It can be rather confusing. Who is on first? What’s on second….. We would like to take a moment to help clarify the different levels of development a trained EMDR therapist may choose to take. Connect consultation encourages exploring and zoning into professional aspirations. Below is an outline of many of the different stages of development within our EMDR psychotherapy world:
1. EMDR Professional Associations are the credential and standards setter, EMDRIA and other International EMDR therapy Professional Associations around the world (24 professional associations are listed on EMDR.com) strive to support and grow EMDR therapy around the world. Every association has many volunteer board opportunities available which will help facilitate professional growth.
EMDRIA’s format is not the same as other International Professional Associations. Here is how EMDRIA lays it out:
2. Training Provider (EMDRIA Approved Commercial Training): adheres to EMDRIA standards, creates a training program to deliver within a wide range of settings from universities to commercial sites, hire and train their own staff, markets and assumes financial risk.
3. Trainer: is most often a EMDRIA Consultant but not required, uses a training program written by an EMDRIA Approved Training provider (Trainer and Training provider can be one in the same).
4. Facilitator/coach: hired by Training Provider to assist at trainings. They are often the only consultants permitted to provide consultation to trainees participating in the basic training program. This is designated by the training provider, not EMDRIA.
5. EMDRIA Consultant: can assist anyone striving to become EMDIRA certified but is restricted on who they can consult with for basic trainings by training provider.
6. EMDRIA certified.
7. Therapist completed EMDRIA Approved Introductory (Basic) training.
8. EMDR therapy completed lectures and practicum, but not consultation.
9. Therapist in an EMDRIA Approved training progression.
10. Therapist not yet trained.
Moving up through these levels takes time, effort, practice, study and dedication. With each level, responsibility broadens as well as risk. But the ability to impact the community and contribute to healing also expands in wonderful ways. What are you aiming for?
If you are not certain or know exactly what you want but need support to make it happen, please reach out to us at Connect EMDR for virtual and in-person EMDR therapy training.
